Item: Google Charts
Rating: 8
Author: Alexander Cooper

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Google Charts is being used for the visualisation of our AGILE methodology reporting for each development sprint. We display burn down charts, as well as pie charts to show the amount of tasks done, compared to in other categories such as Code Review and In Progress. This helps us to understand our current sprint performance and to reflect once the sprint has finished.

Pros and Cons

Easily integrates with other parts of Gsuite
Easy access to well documented API's for integration with third party software
Free to use for all cases

Some tools are more beginner friendly
Requires some understanding of Javascript to understand the guides
Default charts aren't as extensive as other tools

Return on Investment

As Google Charts is free it has had a positive ROI
Requires a Javascript developer to fully utilise compared to a BA alone, so some extra money was spent
Helped improve our AGILE workflows which increased productivity

Alternatives Considered

Smartsheet

Smartsheet integrates better with JIRA out of the box so we primarily use Smartsheet for visualisation of our Sprint breakdown. However, when reporting to higher-ups, we use Google Charts as the flexibility is far greater. We can better make visualisations that suite our company theme with Google Charts which reflects well.

Key Insights

Do you think Google Charts delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Google Charts's feature set?

Yes

Did Google Charts live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Google Charts go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Google Charts again?

Yes

Other Software Used

UiPath Enterprise RPA Platform, Blue Prism Intelligent RPA, Automation Anywhere

Usability

Requires knowledge of Javascript, which can be difficult for a beginner. A business analyst often isn't as technically minded as a developer so collaboration is often required to produce a correct chart for the purpose required. However, the customisation capable due to this creates much better looking charts compared to other tools.

Support Rating

As a free tool with massively powerful, infinitely customisable charts that can be dynamically updated - Google Charts is my favourite data visualisation tool. However, my hatred of JavaScript does jade my view on it. This is the price of the tool though, and I'm glad it's available for me.

Likelihood to Recommend

Google Charts is best suited for charts that aren't static, so I do not use them for example in PowerPoint presentations. However, to track progress of business cases, it is extremely well suited as the charts can be made dynamic extremely easily. The charts can also be produced so they exactly match your companies theme, as long as you know Javascript.

Infinitely Customisable to your Company's Needs

Overall Satisfaction with Google Charts