A heatmap is a graphical representation of data where values are expressed as colours. Heatmaps provide an effective visual summary of information, because they synthesize data and then present it in a pictorial form. Its major advantage as a presentation tool over say, a spreadsheet, is that it allows for a large volume of data to be communicated almost instantly. After all, we mostly use our eyes to make sense of the world, not columns of numbers.
Within business architecture, professionals use heatmaps to identify the level of performance for different divisions of the company, to set investment priorities, and to highlight areas of concern. Benefits of this include enhanced communication with stakeholders, higher engagement with a target audience, and the ability to derive valuable insights from vast data sets.
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