In the days of modern, high-resolution photography, it’s sometimes hard to believe that Galileo’s tools were limited to pen and paper. His observations of the moon are sketched with the precision [...]

John W. Tukey’s semi-graphic visualizations transform the actual data into graphic elements. Like most brilliant ideas, however, this one isn’t widely used.

What constitutes statistical thinking? As we take another look at our margarine marketing example, we find that the key is just plain commonsense.

Means are often used as the sole representation to characterize distributions for a collective of data. Yet, these types of shortsighted visualization are highly dangerous. How can we present data so [...]

We often encounter cartographic visualizations as a way to explain spatial comparisons. Although they are great eye-catchers, there are rather difficult to use (well). Learn when (and if!) it makes sense [...]

If you claim that something is “statistically significant”, your audience will usually be all ears. For many people the term signalizes a type of soothing assurance. We contend that significance is [...]

Each analysis is a comparison at heart. The possibilities today are not endless. Which ones are important as part of your analytical tool set?

Correct scaling is vital, if you try to compare multiple data series. Standardization of values is an elegant way to increase comparability of your data and offers new insights which are otherwise not [...]

German soccer fans don’t often agree on much. Few, however, can deny that the 2006/2007 Bundesliga season was more exciting and suspenseful than it had been for years. Sparklines illustrate the ups [...]

Chopping the axes of a graph is one of the most common forms of data manipulation. Stretching or squishing the scale is equally taboo. However, different scales might have their validity in certain situations [...]

Last week, a sales region was charged with underestimating sales elasticity and letting a price increase lead to a drop in sales volume. The verdict this week? The sales region is found ‘not guilty’ [...]

Gross margin flow analysis breaks down a margin variance by its components to deliver important clues about the underlying causes. This way you determine if a price increase really leads to higher sales [...]

Mit Hilfe von Statistik suchen wir nach Eindeutigkeit, Klarheit, scharfen Grenzen und schließlich Entscheidbarkeit. Statistische Maße wie der Mittelwert oder der Median liefern Werte, die verführerisch [...]

The Parisian trade fair, the prestigious Milan Fashion Week or the Pope's shoes - whatever focus you have for your observations it's always about data analysis, too.

We tend to trust statistics that contain multiple digits. Eliminate pseudo-precision in your reporting.

A vehement advocate for good information visualization, Professor Dr. Rolf Hichert has successfully spent the past few years preaching his doctrine at controller conventions and seminars throughout Germany [...]

Thou shall honor these eight simple visualization principles of Edward Tufte – or have a darn good reason not to! They apply for the first map carved in stone over 6000 years ago just as they do for [...]

Edward Tufte, the world’s most renowned visualization expert, holds legendary information design seminars up to 40 times a year. What an experience!

Today’s marketing needs to be even fresher, funnier and more shocking than that from yesterday - just to grab the audience’s attention. Why not try the same strategy on your management? After all [...]

Data analysis is a true art form. To present your results effectively, you need craftsmanship, creativity and drive. Appropriately, I find that exhibitions and books about art are a source of inspiration [...]

In the previous parts of this series (iPod, PowerSearch) I demonstrated how simple rankings can deliver much more information than initially meets the eye. This time we will create a ranking across all [...]

What has happened in the past ten years in the OLAP field? Read about multiple dimensions, virtual hierarchies, MDX statements and planning applications in this discussion between Dr. Nicolas Bissantz [...]

The analytic power of a simple ranking can even make complex analyses easier to understand. Automated comparisons of a variety of rankings and creation of meta rankings offers insight into distinctive [...]

As most people in relationships know all too well (“You’re just like your mother!“), your selection of opening words will make or break any discussion. This holds true in the IT industry as well [...]

Speed is relative. In fact, we have known that since Aesop. Many methods show that we can learn more from our surroundings if we just take our time. When Sven Piechota talks about “decelerated” progress [...]

Simplicity is en vogue. A pleasurable representative is the iPod from Apple. It provides guidance for many other concepts and products and also inspires data analysts. If you ask me, rankings are the [...]

All that is subsumed under Web 2.0 seems similar to a guerilla movement: it develops mostly unnoticed by established institutions. I analyze some consequences for your marketing and hint to weapons you [...]