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There are lots of ways to let employees know how
well they are doing. One of the most powerful ways is via graphing;
that is, by depicting on a chart performance, whether it is sales,
productivity, accidents, or documents processed.
There are many ways to present information graphically,
but the most popular charts are the line graph, the bar graph, and
the pie chart.
 The
most commonly used graph, the line graph presents numerical data
with respect to time. The horizontal axis usually represents time
increments, such as hours, days, or weeks, while the vertical axis
reflects changes in the level of behavior being measured, such as
number of pages typed, number of sales calls made, or number of
employees present. The line graph can represent individual or group
performance.
 The
bar chart shows relationships between different numerical data as
represented by the bars or bands on the chart. Bars can be either
vertical or horizontal.
 The
pie chart is used to measure 100 percent of something. Each slice
represents a piece proportional to the whole. Ideally, a pie should
not be divided into more than four or five parts.
One bit of advice if you decide to use graphing not only to report
on performance but also stimulate improvement. Graphs should be
developed to highlight improvements, not identify deficiencies --
attendance rather than absences, for instance
.Editor's Note: All charts are courtesy of Visual Mining, Inc.
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