I know I’ve railed against dial gauges in the past, and I’ve removed instructions for creating a speedometer type chart from my site. But this particular implementation is completely appropriate.
From The New Yorker Magazine.
Dial Gauge
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[…] Gauges are a familiar metaphor, everyone can understand them, you can see them everywhere – near your stove, ac, car, gaming console, pc – you name it. So, when you are preparing a chart to tell a point, gauge chart like the one above can be effective. (I know charting pros like Jon Peltier wouldn’t agree with this and prefer speedometer charts only in cartoons.) […]
Stupid says
Dial Gauges are useful, you should not be so arrogant as to think your opinion should be forced down on others… just put up how to make speedo charts!
Jon Peltier says
Hey Stupid –
That’s something I haven’t said since grade school. Here’s another: Dial gauges on a dashboard are as useful as a screen door on a submarine.
I’m under no obligation to show you how to make such an abominable graphic. There are plenty of places you can find them on the web, including tutorials showing how to make your own, and shysters who will gladly sell you what you think you want, but not what you need or what will do you any good.
Adam Blackwood says
If the graphic has made a manager pay more attention to the data you are presenting…. its worked.
… whether its green, blue, pie charts, bar graphs, traffic lights.. or.. even a dial gauge.
Jon Peltier says
It’s too bad you need to use an ineffective approach merely to get your manager’s attention. Reminds me of a 2-year-old post, Bad Bar Chart Practices, or Send in the Clowns.