3 data visualization principles that drive action

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Highly data-driven companies are 3 times more likely to make better decisions, yet 74% of employees still feel overwhelmed working with data. This causes delays and costly misunderstandings.

You can bridge that gap between better decision-making and data overwhelm with these three core principles of data visualization that leverage psychology to ensure clarity, confidence, and faster decision-making across your organization.

1. Principle of simplicity

Make meaningful insights easy to grasp by eliminating unnecessary chart elements.

Example: Remove unnecessary gridlines, redundant X-axis and series labels to direct the viewer’s eye only to the most critical data points.

Why? Keeping your charts simple accelerates the comprehension of data. When you only present what’s vital, insights are grasped instantly, leading to faster, more informed decisions.

2. Principle of accuracy

Ensure the visual story aligns with the raw data.

Examples: Choose the right chart for the right data and avoid unnecessarily manipulating your Y-axis scales.

Why? Being meticulous with how you show your data will not only build trust, but also ensures your proposals stand up to scrutiny.

3. Principle of engagement

Make thoughtful data visualization choices to cut down on cognitive load and create a clear, shared understanding.

Example: Apply annotations, like net lines, which are included in thinkcell 14, to show category-specific forecasts in charts.

Why? Engaging your audience with the right annotation eliminates misinterpretation and ensures they have the common understanding needed to make an effective decision.

Thank you for reading this month’s edition of Behind the slides. We hope you feel equipped to apply the three core principles of data visualization to ensure your charts drive clarity and confidence, not confusion.

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