4 Data Visualization Techniques To Use For Your Next Strategy Meeting

It’s all too common for eyes to glaze over in meetings when data, even valuable data, is presented as a large set of numbers and lines. With no clear structure, no context, and no analysis, few people understand what’s being reported. When data is presented visually, information that was lost in translation becomes clear. Using data visualizations for your strategic measures can be incredibly powerful because a story begins to take shape and comprehension increases.

There are countless data visualization ideas you can use for your next strategy meeting. Here are a few we think work best, arranged by category:

Data Visualization Technique #1: Charts

As Goldilocks once famously said, “One chart size does not fit all.” (We may have taken some liberties with that quote.) Depending on the data, you need to try different charting options to find the one that fits “just right.”

Line, gauge, bar, and combination charts are some of the most frequently used in management reports, and each has its own purpose. See our blog on cool charts for specific examples.

With so many options, it takes some trial and error to find the right chart and then finalize the small details by adding labels, legends, etc.

ClearPoint has a chart preview button to help you get to the ideal chart faster. We also use a chart library called Highcharts that offers a wide range of configuration options.

Once you’ve picked some chart options and started on the details, shop them around. Showing colleagues your charts is a good reality check, because what makes perfect sense to you may not be clear to others. Preview a chart with others, ask questions, and take what you learn back to the drawing board. In our experience, it only takes one or two demos to perfect a chart, so it won’t take much of your time and is worth the effort.

Data Visualization Technique #2: Contextual Details

Some measures need a finer level of detail and context than what a chart can provide. For example, if you have a metric that’s trending downward, charts can’t explain why the drop is happening or what you’re going to do about it. Data visualizations with contextual details can show the story behind what happened, including qualitative analysis and recommendations.

Use element detail layouts to show your charts alongside the more granular data AND the story. You can display who owns a metric and the actions they’re taking in relation to it. Sometimes having a field that says “this measure is down because…” or a field that says “we will be back on track by MM/DD/YYYY” can make all the difference.

At this level of detail, keep the audience in mind. You don’t want to overwhelm your leadership team with every tiny piece of information on a strategic measure. On the other hand, the owner of the measure will want the additional context and detail when they review it with their boss or team. In ClearPoint, field visibility options provide granular control for who sees what and when.

For some organizations using this data visualization technique, every page will look the same. For others, each measure or objective will be customized to tell its own unique story. Rearrange your layouts to maximize the 15 minutes of fame your strategic element gets in that quarterly review.

Data Visualization Technique #3: Summary Reports

High-level overviews show the big picture and the relationships between all your strategic measures. The approach depends on the data you’re summarizing. Here are four types of summary report visualizations to try:

Scorecard Grid

Display your entire strategy in one summarized grid with clear links between measures to demonstrate alignment. Color-coded icons make comprehension even easier.

Heat Map

An extremely popular choice with our clients, heat maps reveal trends by displaying status over time. The stoplight-inspired red, yellow, and green colors make status obvious at a glance.

Dashboard

Charts, charts, and more charts. Sometimes all you need is a number and a visual to understand how things are going and what needs attention. This data visualization technique is ideal for leadership teams.

Gantt

One of the most common summary-style data visualizations, Gantt charts show ongoing projects and how their timelines overlap. This is typically the best way to view a summary of date-based elements.

Data Visualization Technique #4: Customized Reports

The monthly or quarterly report is the culmination of your team’s work over that same stretch of time. It pulls all the relevant data into one deliverable and shows everyone’s work toward the organization’s strategy.

The previous three data visualization techniques will help you get the content right. The appearance matters too. You’re likely in the tough position of creating an information-rich report that also looks pretty (and is properly branded, of course). To get that quarterly or annual report to shine as a professional, good-looking document, you’ll need some customizations.

Custom Pods And Tables

Custom pod and table styles allow you to set organization-wide defaults for every field and table in your account to match your branding.

Custom Cover Pages

Cover pages give your report an official feel by adding a branded top page explaining what’s contained in the report.

Custom Headers And Footers

Themed headers and footers are an easy way to make each page of your report consistent and professional.

Custom Watermarks

If the report isn’t final, make that clear. The last thing you want is an unfinished report circulating throughout the halls of your office. Watermarks make it clear when a report is in draft form.

A last word on data visualization best practices.

Your reports, and therefore your data visualizations, should vary by audience and purpose. The leadership team might want to see a dashboard summary of the budget, while the budgeting office needs a custom report with every little detail laid out in charts with context. Building different visualizations into different reports doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task that requires you to bounce between Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. With ClearPoint, creating reports that include a variety of visualization options for each audience is as easy as clicking a button. Generate reports in seconds with Briefing Book templates. Your report is pre-built, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time.

With clear, creative data visualizations, your management reports will get the attention they deserve and set a standard for professional documents in your organization.