Comments on: Yikes! Another Pie Horror Show

By: Matt Healy

Matt Healy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:25:50 +0000

I too will “keep using 2003 until you pry it out of my cold dead hands.”

As for pie charts, in most cases I think their creators should get pie in their faces.

By: Jon Peltier

Jon Peltier — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:09:53 +0000

Jeff -

Thanks for the link. I’m writing another post showing how a Dot Plot can be used to make the point much more clearly and succinctly. It will hit the tubes Friday.

By: Jeff Weir

Jeff Weir — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:37:39 +0000

Q: What’s worse than comparing categories within a pie chart?
A: Comparing categories between 2 pie charts.

http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/lmr/hlfs-investigation-reports/men-labour-market-downturns-2009dec/index.asp

“Manufacturing and construction are typically prone to changes in economic conditions and employ a high proportion of men (see Figure 1). In contrast, a higher proportion of women tend to be employed in publicly funded sectors such as education and health (see Figure 2).”

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:57:54 +0000

Jon, I think this is your best bad pie yet! I would say the presentation is the least of it – the categories themselves read like they were designed by a committee. Let’s see, did our interests become misaligned, or did we have poor communication (perhaps due to poor cultural fit) or was it just not mutually beneficial? hmmm …

By: Jon Peltier

Jon Peltier — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:28:10 +0000

Jeff – “Where the Wild Things Are” LOL

By: Jeff Weir

Jeff Weir — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:33:49 +0000

Here’s another example for you, Jon. (Will have to download the file first)

http://cid-f380a394764ef31f.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/Most%20frequent%20cause%20of%20charting%20failure.xlsx