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Time: 6 hours
Level: Introductory
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 Introduction Resource- The value of graphics can hardly be underestimated. Graphs, charts, matrices, tables and diagrams are like pictures: they can ‘speak a thousand words’. They are useful for expressing information clearly...
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| | 1 Graphs, charts and matrices
- 1.1 Line graphs Resource
- A line graph is a method of showing a relationship between two variables, such as the output of an organisation and the associated costs. There are some special terms that you need to understand in order...
- 1.2 Time series line graphs Resource
- In time series line graphs, data are plotted or organised along a time dimension. Time series graphs are used for displaying data that show cyclical fluctuations or changes, such as growth, over time....
- 1.3 Pie charts Resource
- A pie chart is a way of presenting proportional data in the form of a circle – the ‘pie’. Each ‘slice’ shows its proportion to the whole. The whole itself must be finite and known, for example, the total...
- 1.4 Bar charts Resource
- A bar chart is another way of presenting data. It is designed to show frequency distribution, for example, the number of staff in each of four categories in an organisation. You could present the data...
- 1.5 Matrices Resource
- A matrix is an arrangement of ‘cells’ in rows and columns. A spreadsheet is a simple example of a matrix. Each cell is described by its position in a column, normally denoted by an alphabetical letter,...
- 1.6 Evaluation matrices Resource
- When there are several courses of action, then one way of thinking clearly about the advantages and drawbacks of the different courses is to compile an evaluation matrix.
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| | 2 Diagrammatic representations
- 2.1 Force-field diagrams Resource
- A force-field diagram shows the opposing pressures (or forces) that are bearing on a situation. Within the context of planning and managing change, the diagram shows the forces which are supportive of...
- 2.2 Input-output diagrams Resource
- An input-output diagram shows the inputs to a system or to an operation and the outputs from it.
- 2.3 Influence diagrams Resource
- An influence diagram shows the influences, from within the organisation or from outside it, which bear on a person or unit.
- 2.4 Systems thinking Resource
- ‘The whole is more than the sum of its parts’ is a good place to start thinking about systems. A car is more than its individual components. We can think of a football team as being more than a collection...
- 2.5 Fishbone diagram Resource
- There are times when management problems seem too complicated and ‘messy’ to analyse. A technique, the fishbone diagram, can be used by both individuals and groups to help to clarify the causes of a difficult...
- 2.6 Mind mapping Resource
- The term mind mapping was devised by Tony Buzan for the representation of such things as ideas, notes and information, in radial tree diagrams — sometimes also called spider diagrams. These are now very...
- 2.7 Multiple-cause diagrams Resource
- As a general rule, an event or outcome will have more than one cause. A multiple-cause diagram will enable you to show the causes and the ways in which they are connected. Suppose, for example, that you...
- 2.8 Network analysis Resource
- One of the weaknesses of simple charts for planning and control is that they do not show how tasks are dependent on each other. Network analysis (or critical path analysis) seeks to overcome that drawback,...
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- 3 Next steps Resource
- If you enjoyed studying this unit you may like to study another unit from the Business and Management topics offered by OpenLeran.
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| | References and Acknowledgements | |
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