Type of Scatter Diagram
The scatter diagram can be categorized into several types;
Two types that cover most scatter diagrams used in project management.
• The first type is based on the type of correlation.
• The second type is based on the slope of trend.
According to the type of correlation, scatter diagrams can be divided into
following categories:
• Scatter Diagram with No Correlation
• Scatter Diagram with Moderate Correlation
• Scatter Diagram with Strong Correlation
Scatter Diagram with No Correlation
This type of diagram is also known as “Scatter Diagram with Zero Degree of Correlation”.
In this type of scatter diagram, data points are spread so randomly that you cannot draw any line through them.
In this case you can say that there is no relation between these two variables
Scatter Diagram with Moderate Correlation
This type of diagram is also known as “Scatter Diagram with Low Degree of Correlation”.
Here, the data points are little closer together and you can feel
that some kind of relation exists between these two variables
Scatter Diagram with Strong Correlation
This type of diagram is also known as “Scatter Diagram with High Degree of Correlation”.
In this diagram, data points are grouped very close to each other such that you can draw a line by
following their pattern.
In this case you will say that the variables are closely related to each other.
The scatter diagram can also be divided according to the slope, or trend, of the data
points:
• Scatter Diagram with Strong Positive Correlation
• Scatter Diagram with Weak Positive Correlation
• Scatter Diagram with Strong Negative Correlation
• Scatter Diagram with Weak Negative Correlation
• Scatter Diagram with Weakest (or no) Correlation
Strong positive correlation means there is a clearly visible upward trend from left to right;
a strong negative correlation means there is a clearly visible downward trend from left to
right.
A weak correlation means the trend, up or down, is less clear.
A flat line from left to right is the weakest correlation, as it is neither positive nor negative
and indicates the independent variable does not affect the dependent variable.
Scatter Diagram with Strong Positive Correlation
This type of diagram is also known as Scatter Diagram with Positive Slant.
In positive slant, the correlation will be positive, i.e. as the value of x increases,
the value of y will also increase. You can say that the slope of straight line drawn along
the data points will go up. The pattern will resemble the straight line.
For example, if the temperature goes up, cold drink sales will also go up.
Scatter Diagram with Weak Positive Correlation
Here as the value of x increases the value of y will also tend to increase,
but the pattern will not closely resemble a straight line.
Scatter Diagram with Strong Negative Correlation
This type of diagram is also known as Scatter Diagram with Negative Slant.
In negative slant, the correlation will be negative, i.e. as the value of x increases,
the value of y will decrease. The slope of a straight line drawn along the data points will go down.
For example, if the temperature goes up, sales of winter coats goes down.
Scatter Diagram with Weak Negative Correlation
Here as the value of x increases the value of y will tend to decrease,
but the pattern will not be as well defined.
Scatter Diagram with no Correlation
In this type of chart, you are not able to see any kind of relationship
between the two variables.
It might just be a series of points with no visible trend, or it might simply
be a straight, flat row of points.
In either case, the independent variable has no effect on the second
variable (it is not dependent).
Benefits of a Scatter Diagram
The following are a few advantages of a scatter diagram:
• It shows the relationship between two variables.
• It is the best method to show you a non-linear pattern.
• The range of data flow, i.e. maximum and minimum value, can be easily
determined.
• Observation and reading is straightforward.
• Plotting the diagram is relatively simple.
Limitations of a Scatter Diagram
The following are a few limitations of a scatter diagram:
• Scatter diagrams are unable to give you the exact extent of correlation.
• Scatter diagram does not show you the quantitative measure of the
relationship between the variable. It only shows the quantitative
expression of the quantitative change.
• This chart does not show you the relationship for more than two
variables.
Notes and key points
Step-by-step procedure
Example of tool application
Summary
• Scatter diagrams are very useful to determine the relation between two variables.
Usually the first variable is independent and the second is dependent on the first
variable.
• To analyze the pattern of the relationship, you make changes to the independent
variable and monitor the changes in the dependent variable.
• keep in mind that the scatter diagram is different than the Ishikawa diagram. The
Ishikawa diagram shows you only the variables; it does not show you the relationship
between these variables. However, the Ishikawa diagram can help you draw the scatter
diagram; for example, you can find the two variables (cause and effect), and then draw
the scatter diagram to analyze the relationship between them.
