Graphs, Dendograms, Tree Diagrams and Force Diagrams

Graphs

Graphs are used to convey complex data in a simple visual format, usually in a comparative manner (this is bigger than that….). They are good for dashboards to get a good overview of information.

Depending on what data you are conveying it is useful to setup some graphs to be able to present the information, this can be done by using a CSV file for data input or steaming it from an SQL query from a database. The database option is the preferred one as the data is as current as when the database is updated.

In OpenMaint  graphs are used in a dashboard as shown below

In this mapping exercise graphs are used to convey extra information to what is on the map above

In this blog I used different types of graphs for the same data to explore building component costs from an Asset Management Software tool.

Dendrograms & Tree Diagrams

Dendro is Greek for Tree. These diagrams show relationships and codes for hierarchical data.

A Building Asset MetaData Schema MetaData Schema 1.
CLICK on Blue Circles to expand Expandable Building Parameter Tree.
This one keeps it simple as you only explore the part of the tree that is relevant. Data schemas can get large and complex.

➕This is a Collapsible/expandable Tree Diagram for Flower propagation looking at which plant it was cloned from which parent going for 5 generations , see seed 11 & 16.

Roof Element Data Items Lineal Dendrogram Lineal Tree of Roof Element Data Items. Roof Element Data Items Radial Dendrogram Radial Tree of Roof Element Data Item

In the last two examples the radial example is more compact.

Force Directed Graphs

This simple force-directed graph shows character co-occurence in Les Misérables. A physical simulation of charged particles and springs places related characters in closer proximity, while unrelated characters are farther apart.

I have been wondering about developing this as a space planning tool with stronger/weaker relationships to decide how spaces should be clustered.

Another method of using it would be in developing teams for projects and their co-location in an open plan office scenario so that people with greater interaction are located closer together.