This book addresses charts, graphs, maps, diagrams, and tables used in all areas; however, its major focus is on their uses for operational purposes.

To many people, information graphics are the images frequently used in presentations at formal meetings or the stylized charts and graphs used in newspapers and magazines.

Many are used for these purposes; however, for every chart, graph, map, diagram, or table used in a presentation or publication, there are thousands that are utilized for what are called operational purposes. Information graphics for operational purposes are used by millions of people on a daily basis for such things as improving their efficiency and effectiveness, improving quality, solving problems, planning, teaching, training, monitoring processes, studying the geographic distribution of data, looking for trends and relationships, reviewing the status of projects, developing ideas, writing reports, analyzing census data, studying sales results, and tracking home finances. With the need to cope with increased amounts of data and at the same time increase quality and productivity, charts, graphs, and maps are being used more and more in operational situations. Fortunately, as a result of developments in computer equipment and software, most of the popular charts and graphs used on a daily basis can be generated rapidly, easily, and with little or no special training.

This single volume is the first book to focus on the needs of the millions of individuals who currently use or would like to use information graphics for their operational needs. It is of particular value to those who might generate their charts and graphs on computers. The book brings together the necessary information on charts, graphs, maps, diagrams, and tables so individuals can rapidly discover the wide range of information graphics that is available, how they are being used, how to construct them, and how to interpret them.