Chart Principles

This guide defines a consistent and user-centred approach to charting and data visualisation within the service.

Chart and graph type review:

• Identify and catalogue all charts and graphs currently used across the service.
• Record the type of visualisation, its purpose, and where it appears within the user journey or on specific pages.

Validation of axes and labels:

• Ensure all axes are clearly labelled with appropriate units and context.
• Confirm that axis scaling fairly and accurately represents the underlying data.
• Flag any visual distortions or misleading representations.

Consistency assessment:

• Compare visual styles across the service to ensure consistency
• Labelling conventions and data formatting
• Interactivity and user behaviour

Document rationale for inconsistency and edge case handling:

• Meticulously document instances where axis label patterns, color and highlight application, font choices, and image placement deviate from established design standards, providing the underlying rationale or outlining the agreed-upon future standard for achieving uniformity.
• Technical and design debt should be tagged and documented in risk log. A ticket to address trade-offs should be created in the backlog.

Reference to user research:

• Draw on existing user research (VMFI, SFB, and current service research) to validate or challenge existing design choices.
• Highlight where user feedback has influenced the assessment or recommendations.

Exploration of alternatives:

• Identify any visualisations that could be improved with alternative chart types or interaction methods.
• Suggest opportunities to improve data comprehension and user engagement.

Recommendations for improvement:

• Provide practical, prioritised suggestions for enhancing visual consistency, accuracy, and usability.
• Align improvement suggestions with user needs and research findings.