Data Visualization Tools

Learn how to use the data visualization tools in the Shifts platform to transform your workforce data into intuitive charts, graphs, and interactive dashboards that provide actionable insights.

Overview

The Shifts platform includes powerful data visualization tools that help you transform complex scheduling, attendance, and labor data into clear, actionable insights. This article explains how to access and use these visualization features to better understand your workforce trends and make data-driven decisions.

Accessing Visualization Tools

Visualization tools are integrated throughout the Shifts platform in several locations:

1. Manager Dashboard: Visualizations of key metrics appear on your main dashboard
2. Reports Section: Each report type includes visualization options
3. Business Intelligence Module: Advanced visualization and custom dashboard creation
4. Analytics Pages: Dedicated visualization tools for attendance, utilization, and more

Available Visualization Types

The Shifts platform offers a variety of visualization types to suit different data needs:

Time-Based Charts

• Line Charts: Track metrics over time (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly)
• Area Charts: Show cumulative totals or stacked comparisons over time
• Timeline Views: Visualize schedules and time-based activities

Comparison Charts

• Bar Charts: Compare metrics across categories (locations, departments, roles)
• Stacked Bars: View complex breakdowns of data within categories
• Pie/Donut Charts: Show proportions and percentages of a whole

Advanced Visualizations

• Heat Maps: Identify patterns in schedules or attendance
• Scatter Plots: Analyze correlations between different metrics
• Gauges: Show performance against targets or thresholds
• Funnel Charts: Display sequential process or conversion steps

Key Visualization Features

Interactive Elements

All visualizations include interactive features:

1. Hover Details: Mouse over any data point to see detailed information
2. Drill-Down: Click on chart sections to see more detailed breakdowns
3. Time Range Selection: Drag to zoom into specific time periods
4. Filters: Apply filters directly from the visualization
5. Toggles: Show or hide data series to focus on specific metrics

Customization Options

Personalize visualizations to meet your specific needs:

1. Color Schemes: Choose colors that align with your preferences
2. Chart Types: Switch between different visualization types for the same data
3. Data Points: Select which metrics to include or exclude
4. Grouping: Change how data is aggregated (daily, weekly, etc.)
5. Sort Order: Arrange data by value, alphabetically, or chronologically

Using Visualization Tools by Type

Attendance Analytics Visualizations

1. Navigate to Analytics > Attendance Analytics
2. View visualizations including:
   • Attendance trends over time
   • Check-in/check-out compliance rates by location
   • Absence patterns by day of week
   • Late arrival distribution by hour
   • Trend charts for attendance metrics

Shift Utilization Visualizations

1. Go to Analytics > Shift Utilization
2. Explore visualizations like:
   • Shift coverage rates by location
   • Staffing vs. requirements comparison
   • Unfilled shift trends
   • Time-to-fill metrics for open shifts
   • Cost per hour visualizations

Employee Performance Visualizations

1. Access Analytics > Performance Metrics
2. View visualizations such as:
   • On-time percentage trends
   • Attendance rating distributions
   • Performance comparison by role or location
   • Improvement tracking over time

Financial Analytics Visualizations

1. Navigate to Analytics > Financial Metrics
2. Explore visualizations including:
   • Labor cost trends and projections
   • Cost per location comparisons
   • Budget vs. actual spending charts
   • Overtime analysis graphs
   • Cost breakdown by role type

Creating Custom Dashboards

Create personalized dashboards with your most important visualizations:

1. Go to Business Intelligence > Custom Dashboards
2. Click Create New Dashboard
3. Give your dashboard a name and description
4. Add visualization widgets:
   • Click Add Widget
   • Select the visualization type
   • Choose data source and metrics
   • Configure display options
   • Position and resize as needed
5. Save your dashboard
6. Set refresh interval (real-time, hourly, daily)
7. Share with others if needed

Exporting Visualizations

Any visualization can be exported for use in presentations or reports:

1. Hover over the visualization you want to export
2. Click the Export icon (usually in the top-right corner)
3. Choose your export format:
   • PNG image
   • PDF document
   • SVG vector graphic
   • Data table (CSV/Excel)
4. Adjust export settings if needed (size, resolution, etc.)
5. Click Export to download

Best Practices for Data Visualization

For optimal insights from your visualizations:

1. Choose the Right Chart Type: Select visualizations that best represent your data type
2. Limit Data Points: Focus on the most relevant metrics to avoid clutter
3. Use Clear Labels: Ensure all axes and data series are clearly labeled
4. Apply Consistent Colors: Use the same color scheme across related visualizations
5. Consider Your Audience: Tailor complexity to the needs of those viewing the data
6. Tell a Story: Arrange multiple visualizations to present a narrative
7. Update Regularly: Set appropriate refresh rates to ensure data currency

Troubleshooting

• Visualization not loading: Try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache
• Chart appears empty: Check that your filters aren’t excluding all data points
• Performance issues: Reduce date range or number of metrics being visualized
• Export problems: Try a different format or reduce the chart complexity

Related Resources

• Dashboard Widgets
• Compliance Dashboard
• Exporting Reports

This article should be updated when:

1. New visualization types are added
2. The visualization interface changes
3. Additional dashboard features are implemented
4. New analytics modules with visualizations are added