Displaying data can be a tricky proposition, because different rules apply in different contexts. A sales director presenting financial projections to a group of field reps wouldn’t visualize her data the same way that a design consultant would in a written proposal to a potential client.
So how do you make the right choices for your situation? Before displaying your data, ask yourself these five questions:
1. Am I presenting or circulating my data?
2. Am I using the right kind of chart or table?
3. What message am I trying to convey?
4. Do my visuals accurately reflect the numbers?
5. Are my data memorable?
By answering these five questions as you’re laying out your data, you’ll visualize it in a way that helps people understand and engage with each point in your presentation, document, or deck. As a result, your audience will be more likely to adopt your overall message.
Read the full article by Nancy Duarte on Harvard Business Review.