home / skills / a5c-ai / babysitter / decision-visualization

This skill helps you create clear, actionable visualizations of analyses, enabling better decision making through decision trees, tradeoffs, and dashboards.

npx playbooks add skill a5c-ai/babysitter --skill decision-visualization

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SKILL.md
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---
name: decision-visualization
description: Decision-specific visualization skill for creating clear, actionable visual representations of analyses
allowed-tools:
  - Read
  - Write
  - Glob
  - Grep
  - Bash
metadata:
  specialization: decision-intelligence
  domain: business
  category: visualization
  priority: high
  tools-libraries:
    - plotly
    - bokeh
    - matplotlib
    - d3.js
---

# Decision Visualization

## Overview

The Decision Visualization skill provides specialized visualization capabilities for decision support, creating clear, actionable visual representations that communicate analysis results effectively to decision-makers and stakeholders.

## Capabilities

- Decision tree diagrams
- Strategy tables and consequence matrices
- Trade-off scatter plots
- Value-of-information graphs
- Confidence/uncertainty bands
- Waterfall charts for sensitivity
- Heat maps for MCDA
- Interactive dashboards

## Used By Processes

- Executive Dashboard Development
- Structured Decision Making Process
- Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)
- Decision Documentation and Learning

## Usage

### Decision Tree Visualization

```python
# Decision tree diagram configuration
decision_tree_viz = {
    "type": "decision_tree",
    "data": decision_tree_structure,
    "options": {
        "node_shapes": {
            "decision": "square",
            "chance": "circle",
            "terminal": "triangle"
        },
        "show_probabilities": True,
        "show_payoffs": True,
        "highlight_optimal_path": True,
        "color_scheme": "sequential",
        "orientation": "horizontal"
    }
}
```

### Strategy Table

```python
# Strategy comparison table
strategy_table = {
    "type": "strategy_table",
    "alternatives": ["Strategy A", "Strategy B", "Strategy C"],
    "criteria": ["Cost", "Time", "Quality", "Risk"],
    "data": performance_matrix,
    "options": {
        "color_coding": "performance_based",
        "show_weights": True,
        "show_scores": True,
        "highlight_winner": True
    }
}
```

### Trade-off Scatter Plot

```python
# Multi-objective trade-off visualization
tradeoff_plot = {
    "type": "scatter",
    "data": alternatives_data,
    "x_axis": {"variable": "cost", "label": "Total Cost ($)"},
    "y_axis": {"variable": "benefit", "label": "Expected Benefit"},
    "options": {
        "show_pareto_frontier": True,
        "label_alternatives": True,
        "size_by": "probability",
        "color_by": "risk_category",
        "show_dominated_region": True
    }
}
```

### Tornado Diagram

```python
# Sensitivity tornado diagram
tornado = {
    "type": "tornado",
    "base_value": 1000000,
    "sensitivities": {
        "Price": {"low": 800000, "high": 1300000},
        "Volume": {"low": 900000, "high": 1150000},
        "Cost": {"low": 950000, "high": 1100000},
        "Market Share": {"low": 850000, "high": 1200000}
    },
    "options": {
        "sort_by": "swing",
        "show_base_line": True,
        "color_scheme": ["red", "green"],
        "show_values": True
    }
}
```

### Uncertainty Visualization

```python
# Distribution and confidence visualization
uncertainty_viz = {
    "type": "distribution",
    "data": simulation_results,
    "options": {
        "show_histogram": True,
        "show_density": True,
        "show_percentiles": [5, 25, 50, 75, 95],
        "show_mean": True,
        "confidence_band": 0.90,
        "highlight_threshold": 0  # e.g., breakeven
    }
}
```

## Visualization Types

| Type | Use Case | Key Features |
|------|----------|--------------|
| Decision Tree | Structure visualization | Nodes, branches, payoffs |
| Strategy Table | Alternative comparison | Color-coded performance |
| Tornado Diagram | Sensitivity ranking | Horizontal bars, swing |
| Spider/Radar | Multi-criteria profile | Polygon overlay |
| Heat Map | Matrix data | Color intensity |
| Waterfall | Value decomposition | Sequential bars |
| Scatter | Trade-offs | Points, Pareto frontier |
| Box Plot | Uncertainty | Quartiles, outliers |
| Fan Chart | Forecast uncertainty | Widening confidence bands |

## Input Schema

```json
{
  "visualization_type": "string",
  "data": "object",
  "axes": {
    "x": {"variable": "string", "label": "string"},
    "y": {"variable": "string", "label": "string"}
  },
  "options": {
    "title": "string",
    "color_scheme": "string",
    "interactive": "boolean",
    "annotations": ["object"],
    "export_format": "png|svg|pdf|html"
  }
}
```

## Output Schema

```json
{
  "visualization_path": "string",
  "interactive_url": "string (if applicable)",
  "metadata": {
    "type": "string",
    "dimensions": {"width": "number", "height": "number"},
    "data_summary": "object"
  },
  "accessibility": {
    "alt_text": "string",
    "data_table": "object"
  }
}
```

## Design Principles

1. **Clarity**: Remove chart junk, maximize data-ink ratio
2. **Accuracy**: No distortion, appropriate scales
3. **Efficiency**: Quick comprehension, key insights prominent
4. **Actionability**: Clear implications for decisions
5. **Accessibility**: Color-blind friendly, alt text provided

## Best Practices

1. Match visualization type to data and message
2. Use consistent color schemes across related charts
3. Include clear titles and axis labels
4. Highlight key takeaways with annotations
5. Provide interactive features for exploration
6. Export to multiple formats for different uses
7. Include data tables for accessibility

## Integration Points

- Receives data from all analysis skills
- Feeds into Data Storytelling for narratives
- Supports Executive Dashboard Development
- Connects with Decision Journal for documentation

Overview

This skill provides decision-specific visualization capabilities that turn analysis outputs into clear, actionable graphics for decision-makers. It focuses on decision trees, trade-off plots, sensitivity visuals, and interactive dashboards to surface key trade-offs, uncertainties, and recommended actions. Visuals are designed for clarity, accuracy, and accessibility so stakeholders can quickly grasp implications and next steps.

How this skill works

The skill accepts structured analysis outputs and a small options schema (visualization_type, data, axes, options) and produces static or interactive visuals plus metadata and accessibility artifacts. It maps analysis constructs—alternatives, probabilities, payoffs, sensitivities—into appropriate chart types (decision trees, tornado, scatter, heat map, waterfall, fan charts) and can highlight optimal paths, Pareto frontiers, or confidence bands. Outputs include file paths or interactive URLs, alt text, and a data table for accessibility.

When to use it

  • When you need to present alternative strategies and their outcomes to stakeholders.
  • During sensitivity analysis to show drivers and rank parameter impact.
  • To surface trade-offs across cost, benefit, and risk for multi-objective decisions.
  • When communicating uncertainty, distributions, or value-of-information results.
  • Embedding visuals in executive dashboards or decision documentation.

Best practices

  • Choose the visualization type that matches the decision question (e.g., decision tree for sequential choices, tornado for sensitivity).
  • Keep visuals minimal: remove nonessential ink, use clear titles and axis labels.
  • Use consistent, color-blind friendly palettes and annotate key takeaways.
  • Expose underlying data tables and alt text for accessibility and auditability.
  • Provide interactive exploration for complex analyses and export static formats for reports.

Example use cases

  • Generate a decision tree that highlights the optimal path and expected payoff for a go/no-go investment.
  • Produce a tornado diagram ranking parameter swings to prioritize data collection.
  • Create a trade-off scatter plot with a Pareto frontier to compare competing project alternatives.
  • Render a heat map for MCDA that shows criteria-weighted performance across options.
  • Build an uncertainty dashboard with fan charts and confidence bands for forecast communications.

FAQ

What input formats does the skill accept?

It accepts structured JSON objects that include visualization_type, data, axes, and options; data can be arrays, trees, or simulation outputs.

Can visuals be interactive and exportable?

Yes. The skill can produce interactive HTML dashboards and export static outputs as PNG, SVG, or PDF along with metadata and accessible data tables.