17. Kumu#
1. Kumu — Overview#
What is Kumu?#
- Web-based tool for creating system maps and visualizing relationships
- Used for: network diagrams, stakeholder maps, concept maps, causal loop diagrams
- ✅ Primary use = creating system maps and visualizing relationships — exam answer (JAN_FN Q289)
- ❌ NOT for building financial models
- ❌ NOT for performing real-time data analysis
- ❌ NOT for designing geographic navigation maps
2. Kumu — Use Cases:#
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| System maps | Show interconnected components |
| Stakeholder maps | Relationships between people/organizations |
| Causal loop diagrams | Cause-effect relationships |
| Network analysis | Identify key nodes and connections |
| Impact mapping | Trace outcomes and impacts |
| Concept maps | Link related ideas |
3. Focus Filters — Exam Answer#
What are Focus Filters?#
Highlight specific parts of visualization based on element properties
Show/hide connections dynamically
Help stakeholders focus on relevant parts of complex maps
✅ Focus filters highlight specific parts of visualization based on element properties — exam answer (JAN_AN Q408)
❌ Decorators → change visual appearance (size, color, shape) — different feature
❌ Clustering algorithms → group elements by shared attributes — different feature
❌ Color palettes → apply color schemes — not property-based highlighting
4. Kumu Decorators:#
- Change visual appearance of elements
- Can modify: size, color, shape, label
- Based on element attributes
- Different from Focus Filters — decorators change appearance, filters highlight/hide
5. Kumu Clustering:#
- Groups similar elements together
- Based on shared attributes
- Helps simplify complex maps
- Different from text clustering in OpenRefine — Kumu clustering is visual grouping
6. Kumu Features — Complete Reference:#
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Elements | Nodes representing entities (people, concepts, systems) |
| Connections | Lines representing relationships between elements |
| Focus Filters ✅ | Highlight specific elements based on properties |
| Decorators | Change visual appearance based on attributes |
| Clustering | Group similar elements visually |
| Metrics | Calculate network statistics (centrality, connections) |
| Loops | Represent feedback cycles |
| Presentations | Step-by-step guided views of map |
| Fields | Custom data attributes for elements/connections |
| Views | Different visual styles for same underlying data |
Kumu vs Other Visualization Tools:#
| Tool | Primary Use |
|---|---|
| Kumu | System maps, relationship visualization ✅ |
| Folium | Interactive geographic maps |
| Matplotlib/Seaborn | Statistical charts and plots |
| Plotly | Interactive data charts |
| NetworkX | Graph analysis (programmatic) |
| Gephi | Large network visualization |
| Tableau | Business intelligence dashboards |
Quick Reference#
Kumu:
✅ System maps and relationship visualization
❌ Financial models
❌ Real-time data analysis
❌ Geographic navigation
Key Features:
Focus Filters → highlight elements by property ✅ (exam answer)
Decorators → change visual appearance
Clustering → group similar elements visually
Metrics → network statistics
Exam answers:
"Primary use of Kumu?"
→ Creating system maps and visualizing relationships ✅
"Feature to highlight specific parts based on properties?"
→ Focus Filters ✅