Tools - R - S

Tool 157: Radar Chart

AKA

Spider Chart, Dimensions Map

Classification

Analyzing/Trending (AT)

Tool description

A radar chart is a very useful indicator of the status quo in relation to an ideal state or a vision. It can be used to verify gaps in operational performance, benchmark one unit against the other, show current trends, display percent completion, or reflect on overall organization's strengths and weaknesses.

Typical application

• To visually display existing gaps in both current and planned organizational performance.

• To show shifts in the organization's strengths and weaknesses.

• To perform a reality check against an ideal state or vision.

• To report trends in resource allocations or progress made.

Problem-solving phase

→	Select and define problem or opportunity
→	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
	Implement and evaluate solution or change
→	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

1	Research/statistics
	Creativity/innovation
	Engineering
	Project management
	Manufacturing
4	Marketing/sales
	Administration/documentation
	Servicing/support
3	Customer/quality metrics
2	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Affinity Diagram

• Brainstorming

• Data Collection Strategy

• Benchmarking

• Organization Readiness Chart

after

• Gap Analysis

• Storyboarding

• Project Prioritization Matrix

• Consensus Decision Making

• Force Field Analysis (FFA)

Notes and key points

• The scale of assessment for a radar chart is measured from the center of the chart as follows:

  • 0 to 50 percent (identifies gaps, completion percent)

  • SD - D - A - SA [checks for team agreement—ratings are strongly disagree (SD), disagree (D), agree (A), strongly agree (SA)].

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 Reach consensus on the themes or elements to be measured with the radar chart.

• STEP 2 Collect or verify the data to be plotted. See example Shift in Company Trainer's Activities (1980 vs. 1996).

• STEP 3 Prepare a flip chart displaying the radar chart with appropriate scaling along the spokes.

• STEP 4 Plot the 1980 data as shown; then plot the 1996 data using encoded lines connecting every marked location on each spoke.

• STEP 5 Check that all data has been plotted as scaled on each spoke.

• STEP 6 Provide legend, indicate other supporting information, and date the radar chart.

Example of tool application