Statistical summaries
Statistical summaries are excellent tools for making comparative evaluations, such as the production output of different machines doing the same job, or the same machine over different periods of time. They can also be used to compare target figures with actual performance figures, such as projected income with actual income.
There are various ways of presenting data in order to make clear comparisons between figures or to see trends that are developing over time. Below are some examples.
Spreadsheets allow complex information to be complied in a table format, making detailed comparisons between periods or categories a straightforward process.
Scatter plot diagrams are able to take the information presented in a spreadsheet and plot it graphically. This enables trends or patterns of movement to be seen more easily.
Pie charts are pictorial representations of the data, and are often used in management reports when an appealing presentation is an important factor.
Bar graphs are another way of representing the data pictorially. They are also commonly used in management reports, and have the advantage of showing trends clearly, like scatter plot diagrams.