Data visualization attracts lot of attention because they are a finished product, and look nice as well. However, for many companies engaged in data visualization, those final deliverables aren’t the most important benefit of data visualization. Instead, it’s the insights into the quality of their collected data that truly leads to success.
Data visualization provides 3 key insights into data:
Insight into Data #1: Is the data complete?
The most straightforward insight that visualization can give you about your data is its completeness. With a few quick charts, areas where data is missing show up as gaps or blanks on the report (called the “Swiss Cheese” effect).
In addition to learning which specific data elements are missing, visualizations can show trends of missing data. Those trends can tell a story about the data collection process and provide insight into changes necessary in the way data is gathered.
Insight into Data #2: Is the data valid?
Visualization plays a pivotal role in understanding data’s validity. By executing a quick, preliminary visualization on collected data, trends that indicate problems in the complete data can be found.
Insight into Data #3: Is the data well-organized?
Poorly organized data can be the bane of the final step of a data collection or business intelligence process. Using data organization tools from the start can help streamline later steps of the process.
During collection, the data is often organized in a way that optimizes the gathering process. However, that same organizational scheme can be a problem when the time comes to act. The data visualization process serves to highlight the organizational challenges of your data and provides insights into how it might be done better.
Source: http://www.boostlabs.com/benefit-of-data-visualization-3-crucial-insights-into-your-data/