Bullet graph
From Business Intelligence
 Bullet graphs showing hypothetical cross-MAIS performance metrics. It shows indicators for poor, good, and optimal performance, and markers for actual performance. |
 This shows use of bullet graphs alongside other micrographs in a dashboard. MicroCharts professional edition |
 Micrograph bullet graphs demonstrating several design possibilities for bullet graphs, all monochromatic, simple, and clear. MicroCharts professional edition |
Description
Also known as a bullet graph, this is a variation on the bar graph that packs several dimensions of data into a single bar. For instance, a bar showing revenue can show the overall quantitative scale, the performance measure itself, a comparative measure, and background fill colors representing a qualitative range. This is a high data density type of bar chart designed to compare several measures to each other at once. This is a good option for dashboards and other presentation formats short on space.
Considerations
- The learning curve on comprehending a bullet graph may be steep.
- The orientation of the graph may give misleading or hard-to-interpret information. Stephen Few addresses this here: Bullet Graphs for Not-to-Exceed Targets.
- This graph should be monochromatic. Color (such as red, yellow, and green) should be avoided, as they exclude color-blind people, clutter up the dashboard, and distract from the actual data presented.
Related techniques
Links
- Learn more about bullet charts from Stephen Few and Wikipedia.
- Video tutorial on creating bullet graphs in Excel 2007.
- How to Create Bullet Graphs To Replace Gauges in Excel 2003