Optimized Arrangement: Clarity Without Loss of Details

Especially when it comes to displaying large amounts of data in a Gantt chart very often the question arises of how to gain or maintain clarity. One way of solving this problem would be to group the data records according to suitable criteria and then start by collapsing these groups, overlapping tasks being highlighted by overlap layers. Then, in order to see further details, individual groups can be expanded interactively.

This approach, however, leaves the user only with two options: view either space-saving, collapsed groups on the one hand or expanded groups with each data record being displayed in a separate row on the other hand.

In some cases a visualization option combining these two extremes would be more useful (and desirable). For these cases NETRONIC offers a great layout feature: Optimized arrangement.

By using this feature, the user can place the data records of a group side by side in one row instead of in separate rows - as far as possible without overlapping. If bars overlap they will be displayed below the bars that have already been placed.

As a result, the feature provides a compact representation that at the same time gives an overview of the groups' details.

In the following figure the options are compared:

Group A: collapsed
Group B: optimized
Group C: expanded