Some Quick Tips for Better Data Visualization, Analysis, and Communication

1. Data Visualization
Some Quick Tips for Better Data Visualization,
Analysis, and Communication

2. Simplify-- Less is More
• Declutter charts and graphs
• No gridlines or legends on charts
• Simple colors and labels
• No funky shaped charts
• Just one or two data points measured at a time
• Make chart bigger and easy to see detail
• Clean, neat, and clear
Data Visualization: Some Quick Tips / George Sloane
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3. What is the Point of Every Chart or Slide?
• Use titles, subtitles, and callouts to make your point
• Be sure to make your point on each chart or slide
• Break slides into smaller pieces (new slides)
• One key message per image
Data Visualization: Some Quick Tips / George Sloane
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4. Choose the Right Chart for Your Data
• Line or column or area--Time
• Column or bar--Comparison
• Pie or bar--Parts of a whole (Pies good for 2-3 items—
Bars for 4 or more items)
Data Visualization: Some Quick Tips / George Sloane
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5. Make it Easy to Read and Understand
• Avoid jargon and acronyms
• Focus on the message not the bells and whistles of the
medium
• No fancy fonts
• Avoid 3-D charts
• Use the imagery to communicate—less words
• Start x-axis at “0”—be true to the data
• Deemphasize the unimportant and highlight the point
• Sort chart for logical order
Data Visualization: Some Quick Tips / George Sloane
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6. Question Every Chart or Slide—is it Needed?
• One more time . . . edit down
Data Visualization: Some Quick Tips / George Sloane
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7. Some Additional Resources
• Refer to books or articles by:
• Edward Tufte
• Stephen Few
• Alberto Ciaro
• Nathan Yau
• Dan Roam
Data Visualization: Some Quick Tips / George Sloane
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8. Thank You!
This Slide Concludes This Review
• For More Information, Please Contact George Sloane at:
• AnalyticDesignGuy.com website
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• Gmail: gsloane.business@gmail.com
• Phone: (203) 981-4488
Data Visualization: Some Quick Tips / George Sloane
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