It's important to know how to work with charts and graphs to effectively communicate data. Often presenters make the mistake of providing charts and graphs that are too small, too detailed and/or too cluttered with images and colour to clearly deliver the desired information.

Bar Graph	Used to Show		Useful Tips
	Rankings for comparison such as variances, increases/descreases		Arrange to assist in presenting key points (high to low, low to high, most significant variance etc.) Use when a time sequence (i.e. year over year) is not implied
Column/Line Graph	Used to Show		Useful Tips
	Variances over time such as increases and decreases to illustrate trends		Use to focus on extreme variances Limit to a few time periods for greatest impact Use line charts to highlight significant changes
Subdivided Bar Graph	Used to Show		Useful Tips
	Use to indicate component parst such as shares or percentages		Use subdivided bars when a time sequence is not implied Use subdivided columns when a time sequence is implied
Flow Chart	Used to Show		Useful Tips
	A process or sequence, a chain of command or stages of events		Ensure related elements are coloured and grouped to clearly indicate their relationship Limit use of colour to three to avoid creating confusion Ensure labels on boxes are large enough to be legible, especially when charts will be projected
Pie Graph	Used to Show		Useful Tips
	Component parts such as percentages or proportions		If one item is most important, position at 12 o'clock If equally important arrange smallest to largest Try to limit to 5 items or less