How to visualize data with BSC Designer: diagrams and charts (Part2)
Intro
This is the second part of the article “How to visualize data with BSC Designer: diagrams and charts”. The beginning might be found here.
The following part will describe three charts and diagrams:
- Pie Chart
- Absolute weights chart
- Diamond diagram
Pie Chart
As it is known pie chart is a circular graph divided into sectors, illustrating percents. In BSC Designer pie chart performs visualization of such information as current performance values. This simple circle graph shows the performing percentage for the whole project as well as for categories. Viewing this chart it becomes right clear what exactly component makes business project stronger and weaker. Such factor as weight value does not have influence on pie chart. The only message of pie diagram is to show the current performance. In order pie chart to be shown select “Pie” tab of diagrams and charts dialog field.
Pie diagram for the whole project
Absolute weights chart
Every category and indicator in the project’s tree has its own weight. While new data is coming into the BSC project (like indicator values updating) it calculates performance values automatically but sometimes it could be helpful to look at the elements weights visualized in graph. Absolute weight chart shows categories and indicators weight values according to the project. For the whole project this graph will show exact categories values were typed by the user but for the category indicators values will be shown according to their influence on the project. For example the indicator with weight value of “5” located in the category with value of “8” will have an absolute weight value of [ ( 5 x 8 ) / 10 ] which equals “4”. This instrument could help managers to analyze business strategy, to understand and sometimes change company’s priorities.
Absolute weight chart for one of the categories
Diamond diagram
One of the most interesting diagram is a Diamond one. Oppositely to other charts and diagrams it works only with elements that contain at least 3 sub elements inside. Certainly it could not be shown for any indicator. Diamond diagram in BSC Designer is based on radar chart method. A radar chart is a graphical method of displaying multivariate data in the form of a two-dimensional chart of three or more quantitative variables represented on axes starting from the same point.
Diamond diagram presents current performance values comparing to minimal and maximal values. In a way it shows a model that looks even like 3D. This diagram aims to make it easier for the user to manage the most important measure in Balanced Scorecard concept – performance.
Diamond diagram for one of the categories
