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Line Graph
What is it?
A line graph is a type of graph that represents data or sets of data that
have been collected over a period of time. The data are plotted on a graph
corresponding to standard intervals of time, and a line is drawn connecting
the data points. If updated regularly, line graphs help managers to follow a
trend over a period of time and take actions to manage the trend.
Who uses it?
The team, the manager.
Why use it?
A line graph allows managers or team members to see trends in
data (increase, decrease, or no change) over a period of time. This can
be useful to help you visualize changes in the process over time or to let you
compare the performance before and after the implementation of a solution.
When to use it?
To visualize a process during a specific period of time to help you describe a
problem, or when you want to evaluate a solution to a problem.
How to use it:
- Decide on the period for collecting data (for example, 30 days, 12 months,
etc.).
- Gather the data. To see a trend, it is generally useful to
collect 20-25 data points over the time period.
- Draw the vertical line (Y axis) for representing the data. The scale will
depend on the values of the data. (In the example below, the Y axis
represents "number of clients seen in the clinic".) Starting at zero in the
lower left corner, label the marks on the far left vertical line in
increments of
5, 10, 20, or 100.
- Draw the horizontal line (X axis), where each point represents the time.
It can
be hours, days, weeks, months, etc. (In the example below, the time frame
used is months.)
- Plot the data you have collected over the period of time studied. Put a
dot on
the graph to show the value of the data for each time period your graph will
cover (on the example below, for each month).
- Connect all the dots that you have plotted on the graph. It will form a
line
that shows the trend of the data observed over the period studied. If you
want to continue the process of observation, make a new dot on the graph
for each sequence of time chosen.
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