Data visualization Archives - Supply Chain Institute

Supply Chain Disruptions

We saw unprecedented disruption to supply chains in 2020 that caused problems for companies and consumers. The Federal Reserve reports continued supply chain and logistics disruptions in 2021 are emerging at the same time demand is increasing.

For companies struggling to manage supply chains, it’s a significant issue. Supply chains represent as much as half of the value of a company’s products or services.

Failing to manage the supply chain efficiently, leads to ongoing problems, including:

Less resilient to market changes

Less efficient

Decreased inventory

Inability to meet demand

Decreased financial performance

Managing the Supply Chain with Embedded BI

Embedded BI integrates business intelligence reporting tools into everyday apps. Embedded business intelligence tools provide ad hoc reporting, interactive dashboards, scheduling, and distribution tools within your custom apps.

When you embed business intelligence tools into your decision chain, it provides quick access to the insights team members need. Potential supply chain problems can be spotted in real-time for faster resolution.

Visualizing Demand and Inventory

Data visualization makes it easier to manage inventory by providing a visual reference for current inventory levels and pending orders. This makes it easier to forecast inventory needs and set reorder points.

Visualizing Distribution

You can also visualize the movement of goods and material through your supply chain into your inventory and out the door to customers. By monitoring order status, you can also see potential disruptions in your supply chain or your processes.

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Why Most People’s Charts & Graphs Look Like Crap

Data visualization is a powerful tool to communicate complex information in an engaging way. By visualizing information, our brains can synthesize and retain content more effectively, increasing its impact. But if data isn’t properly visualized, it can do more damage than good. The wrong presentation can diminish the data’s message or, worse, misrepresent it entirely.

Here are 10 data visualization mistakes you’re probably making and the quick fixes to remedy them.

1) Misordering Pie Segments

Pie charts are some of the most simple visualizations, but they are often over-complicated.

2) Using Non-Solid Lines in a Line Chart

Dashed and dotted lines can be distracting. Instead, use a solid line and colors that are easy to distinguish from each other.

3) Arranging Data Non-Intuitively

Your content should be presented in a logical and intuitive way to guide readers through the data. Order categories alphabetically, sequentially, or by value.

4) Obscuring Your Data

Make sure no data is lost or obstructed by design. For example, use transparency in a standard area chart to make sure the viewer can see all data.

5) Making the Reader Do More Work

Make it as easy as possible to understand data by aiding the reader with graphic elements. For example, add a trendline to a scatterplot to highlight trends.

6) Misrepresenting Data

Makes sure all representations are accurate. For example, bubbles should be scaled according to area, not diameter.

7) Using Different Colors on a Heat Map

Some colors stand out more than others, giving unnecessary weight to that data. Instead, use a single color with varying shades or a spectrum between two analogous colors to show intensity.

8) Making Bars Too Wide or Too Thin

It’s tempting to get creative with your presentation, but keeping things consistent helps your viewer. The space between bars in a bar chart should be ½ bar width.

9) Making it Hard to Compare Data

Comparison is a valuable way to showcase differences, but it’s useless if your viewer can’t easily compare.

10) Using 3D Charts

Though they may look exciting, 3D shapes can distort perception and therefore skew data. Stick with 2D shapes to ensure data is presented accurately.

What was your major problem in creating charts and graphs? How do you find this article? If it is useful, share it out so more people can learn from it. Leave comments or send us a messageif you have any suggestion or opinion.