Lie charts

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On the subject of CHECK: What would be a valid argument against using "uniform scaling" in charts?

POSTER SUCCESS RULES

SUCcESS > CHECK > Lie Charts* :-(

Pertains to the SUCCESS Rules 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 Here we present the Chamber of Horrors for: . Dashboards :-( . Mobile Dashboards :-( . Charts :-( . Brutal charts :-( in particular: . Rings :-( . Circles :-( . Pies :-( . Spiders :-( . Spaghettis :-( . Lies :-( . Strips:-)	Lie charts include all intentionally or unintentionally misshapen charts found unfortunately today in numerous business reports, in advertisements, as well as in the business press. Usually they contain manipulated axes (cut axes), but there are also other attempts to convey a (false) message with a (correct) chart. Some people feel that it is not so much a matter of whether charts are wrong or right, but rather a matter of the wrong or right messages: For example, when a minimal deviation is magnified, the chart is neither wrong nor bad, rather the author wants to convey a message that does not reflect the facts...


	Edward Tufte I would like to mention Edward Tufte in regards to the terms lie chart* and lie factor. As a matter of courtesy, I referred to the manipulation factor in scaling in an attachment to our newsletter from 2006-11 (German). Shortly after in November 2006, Mr. Frank Hölscher sent me some critical comments on the lie factor, for which I thank him. This pertained to a discussion with Tufte years ago about the correct degree for his lie factor. By clicking the picture on the left, an Excel file (German) can be downloaded which Mr. Hölscher used to compare the different methods of calculation Tufte discussed (RH). More... (German)

	Source: Oracle communications Strategy, 27/10/2009

	Tele2, Chevron, Dell, FAZ and Handelsblatt Here (German) a document on the manipulation of scales, which was attached to the 2006-11 Newsletter (German). In addition to the lie chart on the left that appeared on 18/12/2003 in the FAZ, lie charts are also presented from a Chevron ad in The Economist (2006), from Dell’s business report (2003), as well as from the Handelsblatt (2006).

	BMW, UBS and Microstrategy Here (German) another document on the manipulation of scales, attached to the Newsletter from 2007-11 (German). In addition to the negative example at the left from BMW’s website (the welcome page under Investor Relations), the lie charts from the UBS Financial Report 2006 (selected by Manager Magazin as the best business report of the 50 Stoxx companies...), and Microstrategy (Dashboards 2007) are also shown.

	UBS Both charts on the left are from the report Financial Reporting First Quarter 2008, to which we have added the captions in red. Without these captions the charts would make no sense as neither the accompanying text nor the titles (!) indicate to which business division the performance before tax actually applies. But now to the scaling: Is it possible that they are trying to hide the substantially worse business performance in the US? How else could one explain that not only the axis is cut for business in Switzerland, it also has an entirely different scaling? Here the entire UBS report is available for download. Other column charts shown here in a uniform shade of blue are more decorative than informative.

	General Motors Restructuring Plan February 2009 In regards to the chart on the left: Is this really necessary? Isn’t it enough that taxpayers are already paying billions? Here are three chart sins at the same time: (1) Cut axes on the left, (2) cut axes on the right, (3) (imaginary) zero point on the left and right are not at the same height – this is simply a bad display! The complete GM Restructuring Plan – with other charts that fall under this heading – can be downloaded here. It's quite daring to show how they plan to reduce structural costs from 2006 until 2014 by one-third in such a way that that it appears to fall to one-third...

	General Motors Restructuring Plan February 2009 Here are the following scaling transgressions: LAAM* shows a similar performance to GME: However, using only roughly one-fifth of the absolute figures! In the upper charts the axes have been cut and, as a result, the different trend is displayed as being similar. LAAM = Latin America, Africa and Middle East, GME = GM Europe The complete GM Restructuring Plan – with other charts that fall under this heading – can be downloaded here (German).