• Use a scatter plot to determine whether or not two variables have a relationship or correlation. - temperature dependent sales of an ice cream shop
• Use a scatter plot when your independent variable has multiple values for your dependent variable. - weight vs height
• Use a scatter plot when you have two variables that pair well together. -correlation of gestational age and birth weight

1. Use a simple map outline
2. Select colors appropriately
3. Use patterns sparingly
4. Choose appropriate data ranges
5. Show values in cells
6. Sort levels by similarity or value

Tree Chart

• You cannot display data that varies in magnitude.
• Out of the two quantitative variables that a rectangle represents, the variable standing for the size of the rectangle cannot have a negative value.
• One of the values that a rectangle stands for is to be gauged from the area of the rectangle; this is a slight difficulty when compared to other charts where you can gauge values from the length of the data plot.
• The rectangles are automatically ordered by area within the parent node; the chart does not provide for any more sorting options.
• Treemaps having a large number of data points on a single level are unsuitable for print.
  
  

• Floating Columns: To quickly provide a visual into the status of a value over time, the floating columns (also known as plot or plotted values) represent the positive and negative changes made to the initial value.
• Spacers: Because each of the columns in a waterfall chart don’t begin at zero, they need to be offset by a certain margin. This area is known as the spacer or padding.
• Connector Lines: The connector lines (also known as datum) show the relationships between the floating columns. Although they are not necessary for all waterfall charts, connector lines can be a helpful addition to improve the professional look of your chart.
• Color Coding: By assigning specific colors to the different column types, you can quickly tell positive from negative values and provide a quick visual of the movement over time.
• Crossover: There are some instances, depending on the values you're plotting in your chart, where the values will move across the x-axis. For example, if you are creating a waterfall chart as a visual for a profit-and-loss statement and the first figure is 1,000 while the second figure is -2,000, part of the floating column will be above the x-axis and part will be below. This is an important feature of the waterfall chart, as the chart should adjust automatically to show movement across the axis.

• Customize the appearance of your waterfall charts, as you would with any other chart.
• Make them as simple and bare-bones or as complex as you like.
• Deploy them for analytical purposes, especially to explain or present the gradual changes in the value of an item.
• Study a wide variety of data, such as inventory analysis or performance analysis.
• Demonstrate how you have arrived at a net value, by breaking down the cumulative effect of positive and negative contributions.

• Financial Statement Analysis
• Change Analysis
• Gap Analysis
• Segmentation
  
  

•  Use contrasting colors to highlight differences in data sets.
• Choose warm colors to indicate increases and cool colors to indicate decreases.

1. Add a Y axis break to a change waterfall chart. The change bars are typically smaller than the total bars so without an axis break they are harder to see on the chart.
2. Use bar comparison lines to highlight the change between two bars on the waterfall chart. For example, you can add a bar comparison line to show the absolute and percentage change between the beginning and ending values.
3. Include data rows with supplementary data or text that contributes to the overall message for the chart.
4. Strategically use color on your waterfall chart. For example, color change bars green for positive values and red for negative values. You can do this manually or using conditional formatting. Or, use a highlight color to draw attention to the primary drivers of change.
5. Use a horizontal waterfall chart when you have many bars or have lengthy bar labels.
   
   

1. Performance Measure – The actual value of the metrics
2. Comparative Measures – One or two comparative/ target measures to compare the performance of the metrics against a give target value
3. Qualitative scale – To measure the metrics state i.e. good, bad or satisfactory
4. Quantitative scale – Linear X axis to measure the value of the metrics
5. Text label – For labeling the metric

•  Use contrasting colors to highlight how the data is progressing.
• Use one color in different shades to gauge progress.