Visual Analysis: The Value of Graphics for Risk Communications - RMG211

Spring Training: Correcting Common Mistakes

Regular Season: Cutting Costs/Become a Hero

Post Season: Raising your Batting Average

Visual Analysis: The Value of Graphics for Risk Communications - RMG2111

Richard Denning President, Shelter Island Risk Services

Phone: (631) 749-1535 e-mail: rfdenning@sirisk.com

Website: http://www.shelterislandrisk.com/

Libby Christman Vice President of Risk Management, Ahold USA

Phone: (717) 240 - 5573 e-mail: lchristman@ahold.co

Website: http://www.Ahold.com/

Naomi RobinsConsultant and seminar leader on effective data presentationPrincipal, NBR

Phone: (973) 694 - 6009 e-mail: Naomi@NBR-GRAPHS.com

Website: http://www.NBR-Graphs.com/

How to Avoid Common Graphical Mistakes

RIMSPhiladelphia, PA18 April, 2012Copyright © 2012, Naomi B. Robbins

Graphical Mistakes

• Not making the data stand out

• Misleading the audience

• Problems with tick marks and labels

Make the data stand out.Factors that keep data from standing out:• Clutter

– Too many percent signs– Too many trailing zeros– Unnecessary dimensions

• Lack of contrast for model or data• Graphical elements that hide data• Colors that not all can distinguish

Before and After

Too many dollar signs and percent signs

Unnecessary 3D effect

Lack of Contrast

Do you notice the point on the x axis?

Data and axis labels conflict

Avoid color combinations that not all can distinguish.

Simulation from www.vischeck.com

Red and green can cause problems.

How some see last slide

Avoid misleading the audience

• Equally spaced tick marks for unequal intervals

• Comparisons with different scales

• Bar graphs with no zero

• Figure not to scale

• Difference between curves

Data with uneven intervals

Data with even intervals

Comparison

Unequal intervals

Actuarial: Time handled correctly

Inconsistent Use of Color

Bar Graph with No Zero

Not drawn to scale

Draw the data to scale.

Number of police officers redrawnNumber of Police Officers by County 1997

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

Salem

Warren

Hunterdon

Sussex

Cumberland

Cape May

Glousester

Somerset

Burlington

Atlantic

Mercer

Ocean

Morris

Passaic

Camden

Monmouth

Union

Middlesex

Hudson

Bergen

Essex

Difference between Curves

0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0

x

01

23

45

y

Problems with tick marks and labels

• Too many labels

• Labels hard to read

• Tick marks not at round numbers

• Uneven number of decimal places

• Labels not proofread

Too many labels

No legend outside of text

Proofread Graphs

Linked Micro-mapsVisualizing Data Patterns withMicromaps

by Dan Carr and Linda Pickle