Building Adoption of Visual Analytics Software

Abstract

The impact of visual analytic software can only be fully realized if attention is focused on the development of approaches to facilitate broad adoption. While all technology adoption efforts face obstacles, the highly visual and interactive nature of visual analytics software as a cognitive aid poses particular technological and cultural challenges that must be addressed. Successful adoption requires different techniques at every phase of the technology adoption life cycle, from the innovators and the visionary early adopters to the more pragmatic early majority and finally to the less technologically-oriented late majority. This chapter provides an overview of the technology adoption life cycle and describes the particular challenges of technology adoption for visual analytics software. A case study of visual analytics technology adoption is considered, and the role of organizational culture is examined. Finally, an extensive set of guidelines is presented for facilitating visual analytics software adoption throughout the entire technology adoption life cycle.