Visualizing Multilevel Agency Data Using OLAP Technology: An Illustration and Lessons Learned

ABSTRACT Various technologies exist that allow the visualization of data. One major set of technological innovations known as OLAP (Online Analytic Processing) were tested in three-year, exploratory research project to improve the decision making of child protective service staff related to federal CFSR (Child and Family Services Review) standards. The OLAP application developed, called DEMOS (Data Enhanced Management Online Support) contained 6000+ clickable charts. Staff using a standard browser on the agency's intranet could drill down from statewide to unit level data and could slice & dice by clicking on staff, agency, and client characteristics such as client gender and age. This article explains OLAP technology and illustrates its use in DEMOS. The development process is described along with lessons learned and next steps. While DEMOS success measures, frequency of use, and improved decision making, were difficult to establish given the limited time that DEMOS was operational, DEMOS was well accepted by users and top management deployed OLAP tools to visually present other data within the agency.