Bullet Chart – A Comprehensive Guide

A bullet chart is a variation of a bar graph which has been initially inspired by the traditional thermometer charts and progress bars which are found in many dashboards. The bullet chart was developed by Stephen Few and serves as a replacement for different dashboard gauges and meters. The main purpose behind developing these bullet charts was to overcome the fundamental issues found in gauges and meters. The problem was that they tend to display too little information and required much space. With that, they are also cluttered with useless and distracting decorations.

• Components of a Bullet Charts
• Types of Bullet Charts
• Different Examples of Bullet Chart

On the other hand, bullet graph features a single and primary measure and displays the data in the context of qualitative ranges of performance. These are set as poor, satisfactory, and good. You can checkout Best Tableau Training Courses.

Components of a Bullet Charts:

Now let us talk about some of the main components of chart. There are five primary components of a bullet chart.

1. Performance Measure:

• The performance measure is the actual value of the metrics.

2. Comparative Measures:

• It is the one or two comparative or target measures which are used to compare the performance of the metrics against a given target value.

3. Qualitative Scale:

• Qualitative scale is used to measure the metric state which can be either bad, good, or satisfactory.

4. Quantitative Scale:

• Quantitative scale is the linear X axis that is used for measuring the value of the metrics.

5. Text Label:

• This is the fifth component of the bullet chart that is used for labeling the metric.

So these were the details of the five components which make up for a bullet chart.

Types of Bullet Charts:

There are two types of bullet chart. It can be either horizontal or vertical. But this depends on the alignment of the quantitative scale. But know that the choice of vertical or horizontal alignment only depends on the space available for the visualization.

Advantages of Bullet Charts:

Everything has its advantages and disadvantages right? And so does bullet chart has. So let us first take a look at the advantages of bullet charts.

• The best thing about this chart is that it can be oriented horizontally and vertically and it all depends upon the real estate available.
• It has the capacity of displaying multiple measures.
• Similarly, in bullet charts, the information is always presented in an easier to digest format.

Thus these and many more benefits can be enjoyed using bullet charts.

Disadvantages of Bullet Charts:

With so many advantages, there are a few disadvantages of using a bullet chart as well. So let us take a look at them as well.

• As too much is going on in a single chart, a person who is new to data visualization can quickly get confused using it.
• With that, it is also quite difficult for a reader to understand how big or small a variation is.
• Finally, the background has many shades of one color which can easily distract the reader or put his mind into a little confusion.

Though bullet chart has some disadvantages but that doesn’t outweigh the number of advantages or ease it brings to the users as compared to using gauge or meter.

Different Examples of Bullet Chart:

Do you want to know where bullet charts can be used? Here are some examples which can show how they are used. Graphs are used in Data visualization tools as well you can checkout comparison between some important tools here.

1. Bullet Chart in a Call Center Dashboard

In a call center dashboard, we can use a bullet chart to measure the metric like Call Volume, Call Answer Speed, and then the Percentage of Abandoned calls.

2. Bullet Graph in a Fitness Dashboard

Similarly, in a fitness dashboard, a bullet graph is used to measure metrics like how many steps are taken by a person or how many calories are burned by one.

3. Bullet Graph in a Manufacturing Dashboard

In a manufacturing dashboard, we can use a bullet chart to easily track metrics like number of defects and the orders that are shipped successfully.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, bullet charts has so much to offer than the ordinary gauge or meters. So, if you don’t know what bullet chart is and why it is better than using gauges and meters then reading this “Bullet chart-A comprehensive guide” will help you understand all about it. Therefore, read this article today and don’t forget to stay safe, stay home, and never stop learning.