What goes wrong.
TOO MUCH
Every number, so nothing stands out.
NO COMPARISON
A figure with nothing to compare against says nothing.
NO CONCLUSION
Data presented, interpretation left to the reader.
NO ACTION
A finding with nothing following from it.
CHANGING DEFINITIONS
History becomes incomparable, quietly.
INCONSISTENT PERIODS
Comparing unlike things.
CHARTS THAT MISLEAD
Truncated axes, dual axes, decorative effects.
ONLY GOOD NEWS
Nobody believes it, and nobody acts on it.
PRODUCED AND NOT DISCUSSED
Effort spent for nothing.
GROWING EVERY PERIOD
Until nobody reads it.
NO SOURCE OR PERIOD STATED
Nobody can verify or reproduce it.
WHAT FIXES MOST OF THESE
One page, a comparison beside every figure, a conclusion, and a decision.
