A waterfall chart is a form of data visualization that helps in understanding the cumulative effect of sequentially introduced positive or negative values. These intermediate values can either be time based or category based. The waterfall chart is also known as a flying bricks chart or Mario chart due to the apparent suspension of columns (bricks) in mid-air. Often in finance, it will be referred to as a bridge.
Waterfall charts were popularized by the strategic consulting firm McKinsey & Company in its presentations to clients.
Complexity can be added to waterfall charts with multiple total columns and values that cross the axis. Increments and decrements that are sufficiently extreme can cause the cumulative total to fall above and below the axis at various points. Intermediate subtotals, depicted with whole columns, can be added to the graph between floating columns.
Video Waterfall chart
Overview
The waterfall, also known as a Bridge or Cascade chart, is used for understanding how an initial value is affected by a series of intermediate positive or negative values. Usually the Initial and the Final Values (End Points) are represented by whole columns, while the Intermediate Values are shown as floating columns that begin based on the value of the previous column. The columns can be color-coded for distinguishing between positive and negative values.
Maps Waterfall chart
Applications
A waterfall chart can be used for analytical purposes, especially for understanding or explaining the gradual transition in the quantitative value of an entity which is subjected to increment or decrement. Often, a waterfall or cascade chart is used to show changes in revenue or profit between two time periods.
Waterfall charts can be used for various types of quantitative analysis, ranging from inventory analysis to performance analysis.
Waterfall charts are also commonly used in financial analysis to visually track how a net value is arrived at through gains and losses over time. It is also common to show the line items from an Income Statement or Statement of Cash Flows as a Waterfall or Cascade chart. Other non business applications include tracking demographic changes over time, human resource management, and tracking of historical legal activity.
There are several sources for automatic creations of Waterfall Charts ( PlusX , Origin, etc.)
Criticism of this chart type
It is easy to manipulate a viewer's opinion on the current situation by changing the order of the different categories. Comparing two different waterfall charts (for example for two different months) is very hard.
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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