Data Visualization is an essential tool for interpreting and communicating data clearly and effectively. Following best practices ensures a presentation that is understandable, accurate, and engaging for the audience.
Rules and Best Practices
Ensure that users can quickly find the information they’re looking for on a single page.
Make it easy to locate the page containing the desired information.
Organize pages by themes (e.g., types of indicators, cost or revenue centers, focus on key indicators, etc.).
Each page should represent only one category of indicators or one type of data (e.g., one page for P&L, one for expenses, one for profitability ratios).
For a given theme, place global indicators at the top and details at the bottom.
For large tables, dedicate a specific page to them.
1. Define Objectives
Before creating a visualization, clarify your goals: What key message should be conveyed? Who is the target audience?
Ensure that each chart answers a specific question and helps in better understanding the data.
2. Choose the Right Type of Visualization
Bar Charts
Illustrate results and highlight peak periods.
Comparison and trends.
Best for: values, amounts. Less suitable for ratios and percentages.
Line Charts
Show trends and developments, not detailed amounts.
Comparison, projection, trends.
Best for: ratios and percentages. Less suitable for: values, amounts.
Pie Charts
Limit to a maximum of six sections for readability.
Comparison and distribution without a time component.
Use sparingly; should not be the only chart for an indicator.
Use of Colors
The widget settings allow you to:
Set the color of the dataset (line of a chart, bar in a bar chart, table row background, or pie chart section).
Set the widget’s background color.
Color Usage Tips
Color Consistency: For indicators repeated across pages, use the same color or shades.
Widget Background Color: Avoid dark colors.
Avoid Red and Green: These colors are often perceived as positive/negative.
Dataset for Current and Previous Periods: Use the same color shade, emphasizing the current period.
Actual vs. Budgeted Dataset: Use a neutral color for projections.