Tables’ Beauty
Behind any graphs, charts and even flowcharts there is data, big data, usually stored in tables.
To keep data in tables is useful, but tables are not convenient for presentations or communication. All graphs are intended to make the presentation of data clearly and simply. But are tables always that bad?
In many cases, working with tables is familiar. We all use public transport schedules on a regular basis and understand it well.
Report Cards in schools and universities do their jobs perfectly adequately in a table format.
Wouldn’t you think that finding your mark on a chart would be more difficult?
Weather forecast is also easy to read in a table format.
What’s wrong with tables? Why do we try to avoid using them? If we don’t know the subject well, we come face-to-face with our problems immediately. It takes time to understand what each column means, which units are used and why? Once we have overcome the first steps, we are left with the question: what does it all mean? When it comes for weather, it’s clear that +30 is hot and +15 is cool. But if it’s a table of expenses, to note where we spent too much is not such an easy task.
But if we will put the table in order, it is much more informative and helpful than any chart. Let’s go back to Loan Amortization Schedule table.
Let’s polish our table. Any line-crossings are visually-complex elements. Even one cross can distract, and when there are dozens of them, we just can’t see anything else. Let’s get rid of the table lines:
To read the data quickly, we make some space between the columns:
With all this, we have limited the visibility of the least important information in our chart. We address to it seldom, so there is no need to make it prominently visible. This concludes the first steps in formatting a table.
The entire timeline is a bit less than two years. One typical mistake when using dates is that it is easy to include excessive information. Don’t indicate the year in each date. In many cases, showing just the month and day is enough.
All the other columns of tables indicate money.
Moreover, a specific currency: Dollars. So, there is no need to add the dollar sign at each table cell.
It is better to align sums by the right side to allow for easy numerical comparison:
Last touch — mark the sections with different colors numbers, highlighting the most relevant information in your chart:
Thus, we have all of our information in a legible easy-to-read format. An important difference between tables and schedules is their credibility. That’s why we have a greater confidence in their accuracy. Any column can be double-checked, because we have ALL the data in front of us.
Yes, graphics and charts are more eye-catching, but often they don’t have nearly as much real information as a chart of the raw data.
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There are many ways to define the flow of information within a system. Structured-systems analysis method often uses data flow diagrams to show data flow, data storages and data processing visualization. These diagrams are easy to develop and quite useful.
Here is a dataflow diagram presenting an example of the manufacturing process flow. The oval process shapes represent a process that controls data within the current system. The process may produce data or make some action based on data. Data flows are represented by lines. They show the movement of information through the system. The direction of the data flow is depicted by the arrow. The external entities are shown by rectangles. They represent the external entities interacting with the system. The data store objects (unclosed rectangles) are used to show data bases participating in a process flow.
Picture: Data Flow Diagram
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Local area network connects computers and other network appliances within an area, such as office building or a campus. It can be difficult to provide such network without a predesigned plan. For these purposes you can use network diagram software, which helps you to create LAN network diagrams and office network diagrams quickly and effortless. This will speed up your work and you can save the diagram for the future network improvements.
The following diagram illustrates a network topology of the small office. LAN configuration has a star topology. The local network joins 8 computers among which are several desktop PCs, laptop, two iMacs and iBook. The end-point devices are divided into three groups. Each group is connected to its hub. There is a network printer and a modem, which are interconnected with other devices through a network server. Each computer on the LAN can access the server through a corresponding hub.
Picture: Network Diagram Software. LAN Network Diagrams. Physical Office Network Diagrams
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A pie chart or a circle graph is a circular chart divided into sectors, illustrating numerical proportion. In a pie chart, the arc length of each sector and consequently its central angle and area, is proportional to the quantity it represents.
Pie chart examples and templates created using ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software helps you get closer with pie charts and find pie chart examples suite your needs.
Picture: Pie Chart Examples and Templates
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If you are an advanced diagramming software user, you might use it daily. Traversing the Internet in searching of alternative to MS Visio for MAC and PC, you can fulfill all your requirements with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM. Don’t hesitate to transfer your documents to another operating system.
When looking for a smart and simple tool for business diagrams as alternative to MS Visio for Apple OS X platform, ConceptDraw DIAGRAM certainly is the best choice. Making many kinds of business charts, numerous technical drawings is what ConcepDraw DIAGRAM is the best. One can easy create any diagram and complete it perfectly and quickly. The big collection of vector object libraries, templates and samples, make it the best Microsoft Visio alternative: ConceptDraw DIAGRAM is simpler to use, less expensive, and supports project management and mind mapping methods.
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In Searching of Alternative to MS Visio for Mac and PC
with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM
Definition, examples, layout options, best practices, and common mistakes for cross functional flowcharts (swimlane diagrams).
Picture: Cross Functional Flowchart (Swimlane Diagram): Definition, Structure, Examples, and How to Create
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ConceptDraw DIAGRAM extended with Seven Management and Planning Tools Solution from the Management Area of ConceptDraw Solution Park is the best software for drawing all types of diagrams from the Seven Management and Planning Tools: Affinity Diagram, Relations Diagram, Prioritization Matrix, Root Cause Analysis Tree Diagram, Involvement Matrix, PERT Chart, and Risk Diagram (PDPC).
Picture: PDPC
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When you are a beginner in software development, you make a lot of mistakes. Developing logical models, or data flow diagrams is a way to see the the whole project and all the processes clearly. And some novices, unfortunately for them, miss modeling stage at the beginning of project life cycle, and get into troubles as the project grows.
This image represents the data flow diagram applying symbols of Yourdon and Coad notation. This DFD depicts the data flow inside an organization department deals with receivables. The icons of standard Yourdon and Coad notation provides possibility to draw professional looking and well- readable DFD for business documentation. This data flow diagram was designed with the help of ConceptDraw DIAGRAM and its Data Flow Diagrams solution. The solution delivers three vector graphic libraries including elements of Yourdon and Coad and Gane-Sarson notations.
Picture: Data Flow Diagram Process
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Take a look on an example of Cross-Functional-Flowchart, showing the software service cross-function process flowcharts among the different departments. It presents a simple flowchart among the customer, sales, technical support, tester and development.
Try now Flowchart Software and Cross-Functional library with 2 libraries and 45 vector shapes of the Cross-Functional Flowcharts solution. Then you can use built-in templates to create and present your software service cross-function process flowcharts.
Picture: Cross Functional Flowchart Examples
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Picture: Chemical Engineering
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