One Step Ahead: Presenting Numbers, Tables, and Charts

One Step Ahead: Presenting Numbers, Tables, and Charts

The six rules of plain figures
Checklist for graphs
Patterns and exceptions

The six rules of plain figures:

1 Put figures in an order.
2 Add focus to figures.
3 Keep comparisons close.
4 Round figures for clarity.
5 Provide a summary.
6 Use layout to guide the eyes.

Checklist for graphs

General

  • Is the graph's message clear and memorable?
  • Does it tell a single story?
  • Does the title reinforce the point of the graph?
  • Is the graph appropriate for the type of data?

    Design

  • Does the graph use the simplest design of its type?
  • Is all chart junk removed? Be ruthless!
  • Is the graph situated correctly on the page?
  • Are the lines, bars, and pies directly labelled?
  • Is the scale proportionate to the numbers?
  • Is the graph less than a third of the page in size?
  • Are the graphs consistent throughout the document?

    Text

  • Does the graph's title encapsulate its meaning?
  • Is the text legible, horizontal, and in both upper and lower case?
  • Is the written explanation as close as possible to the graph?
  • Has someone else proofread the graph?
  • Is all the necessary information given (subject, location, dates, units of measure)?

    Exercise 2 Patterns and exceptions

    This table shows the percentage of staff who replied 'yes' when asked if they were generally satisfied with aspects of their working conditions.

    Staff satisfaction, August 2003: percentage of respondents
    Branch Bristol Derby London York Average
    Health and Safety 75 78 73 73 75
    Hours 88 90 79 87 86
    Management 68 71 81 67 72
    Parking facilities 76 84 69 12 60
               
    Average 77 81 86 60  

    (a) Reorder the columns and rows from largest to smallest by average size. What are the main patterns and exceptions in the data?

    (b) Go back to the original table. Can you now see the patterns and exceptions?

    (c) Can you suggest other ways in which the readability of this table can be improved?

    You'll find the answers to this exercise in One Step Ahead: Presenting Number, Tables, and Charts.


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    Mon, 08 Sep 2003 00:00:00