From Complex to Clear: Simplifying Data Visualisation

This article uses the data and initial visualisation provided by StorytellingWithData September 2023 challenge.

The following plot shows the forecast of number of accounts created and the field coverage like accounts managed by Accounts Manager(AM)

clearly there is not a best data visualisation for the given data, hence it needs to be simplified.

Process of Simplifying Data Visualisation:

1. Find objective of the visualisation: To show the current achievement and future goal i.e. increase in number of accounts and accounts over time
2. Selecting type of Chart: Use of bar graph along with the line chart showing Accounts per AM could be better approach
3. Use of consistent Labels and Units: Synchronise the axis for both Accounts and Accounts per AM and labels for the same.
4. Simplified Color Usage: Choose right colors that shows some pattern i.e. increase or decrease in accounts etc.
5. Reduce Chart Clutter: Avoid using over the graph text as it creates clutter, instead use annotations.

Here is the simplified version of above visualisation.

Here is the above interactive plot created using Tableau .