Spider Charts Collin Ferre1

Supply Chain Management

Spider Chartsalso known as Radar Charts

By Collin Ferre

BusM 361

Spider Charts Collin Ferre2

Spider Charts• What is a Spider\Radar Chart?

• How is it used?

• Exercises

• Additional Resources

0

20

40

60

80Caffine

Sodium

Calories

Total Carbs

Sugar

Protein

Soda A Soda B Soda C

Soda D Soda E

Not actual data

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Background

Spider charts are most useful when trying to compare different set of data that all relate to a certain point.

They are very useful in visual comparisons of data to help choose the optimal solution or identify areas of improvement.

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How to use it• Create categories

• Standardize performance definitions

• Rate each performance category

• Construct the chart

• Plot the ratings.

• Interpret and use the results.

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Using Excel – Example One• Suppose that you are looking to buy a

computer

• Your top three criteria for the computer are hard drive capacity, processor speed, amount of RAM (memory), and CD\DVD drive.

• Use a spider chart to help you choose the best option for your computer

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Using Excel – Example One• You have chosen

three systems

Brand A Brand B Brand C

Hard Drive

60 GB 80 GB 40 GB

Processor Speed

3.6 MHz 2.6 MHz 3.2 MHz

RAM 512 MB 1024 MB 512 MB

CD/DVD DVD DVD CD

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Using Excel – Example One

• In this example we will create a 1-10 scale to rate each aspect of the computer

• We will assume that the on the scale that– 80 GB hard drive is a 10 – a 20 GB is a 1– 3.6 MHz processor is a 10 – a 1.6 MHz is a 1– 1024 MB Ram is a 10 – a 128 MB is 1

– DVD is a 10 - no CD/DVD is a 0

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Using Excel – Example One

• Input the data from the table into an excel spreadsheet

• Now we can use the Chart wizard to create a spider chart.

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Using Excel – Example One

Step 2: A window like this will appear chose radar and click next

Step 1: Select Insert from the menu bar and then choose Chart

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Using Excel – Example One

Step 4: Click next and add a name to the chart.

At this point you can also change font colors or the position attributes of the legend.

Step 3: Enter the data range by selecting the fields with the ratings of the different components

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Using Excel – Example OneStep 5: After you have changed the colors and other attributes that you would like Click Finish

You should have a chart that looks similar to the one on the right.

Now you have a graphical representation of the choice that you are making. This graph can help you see which option best meets your needs.

Computer Choices

0

5

10Hard drive

Processor speed

RAM

CD/DVD

Brand A Brand B Brand C

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Example Two -

• Take a look at a more complex situation and this time you are on your own to create the spider chart.

• In this example it will not be necessary to rate the different components, simply use the data given in the problem

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Example Two

MonthAverage temp in

Honolulu Average temp in

London Average temp in

Anchorage

January 64 19 -10

February 68 30 5

March 70 56 20

April 72 67 35

May 74 72 45

June 78 76 55

July 80 87 60

August 86 84 65

September 79 79 63

October 75 68 57

November 70 55 35

December 68 28 25

Fred is looking for a new place to open a tourist shop.

One of the main criteria for the shop is the average temperature during the year. He would like to compare the temperature in 3 cities

Create a Spider Chart to help Fred with his decision.

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Answer to Example Two

Average temperature comparison

-200

20406080

100January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Average temp in Honolulu

Average temp in London

Average temp in Anchorage

One Possible answer to example 2.

If Fred is looking for the best temperature year round which city would he choose?

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Applying the Principle

• Think of your areas of responsibility

• How could you use a Spider Chart in your work to help you make a better decision?

• How could a Spider Chart help you optimize performance?

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Additional Resources…• http://www.crummer.rollins.edu/journal/articles/2003_2_radar.pdf

• http://www.mori.com/pubinfo/aiz/statistical-analyses.pdf

• http://www.skymark.com/resources/tools/radar_charts.asp

• http://www.internet4classrooms.com/excel_radar.htm

• http://web2.concordia.ca/Quality/tools/23radar.pdf

• http://www.isixsigma.com/dictionary/Radar_Chart-307.htm

• http://www.infinitefutures.com/essays/prez/mapping/

• http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010346071033.aspx

• http://www.ve.com/kavachart/alacarte/applets/specialty/SpiderCharts.html