Graphing Data for Decision Making

Abstract

This document is a synopsis of best practices in chart design for decision making, drawn from the work of Edward Tufte, Howard Wainer and John Tukey. They are not intended to guide the creation of marketing materials that sell. Most charts presented are borrowed from reports created by the US Census Bureau, the Government Accountability Office and the United Nations Development Programme. When applicable, the chart is re-designed and the explanation of improvements is presented.