GraphBuilder - Chart Generator

GraphBuilder is Avanteam's native data visualization tool. It transforms your form data into dynamic charts for management and decision-making.

Access

Access path: Graph Builder > Configuration menu

Interface

The interface is divided into two parts:

• Left: List of your existing reports
• Right: Configuration panel organized in tabs

Chart configuration

Report header

Before configuring the details, define the chart identity:

Report:

• Displayed chart name
• Example: "NC Distribution by Department", "Monthly Action Trends"
• Be descriptive and precise

Series:

• Data series name
• Useful if you overlay multiple data sets on the same graph
• Example: "NC 2024" if comparing with "NC 2023"

Tab 1: Basic parameters

This is the core of the configuration where you define the source and logic of the chart.

Definition (Chart type)

Available types:

• Bar: Column chart (comparison)
• Pie: Pie chart (distribution)
• Line: Line chart (temporal evolution)
• Area: Area chart (volumes over time)
• Donut: Donut chart (pie chart variant)
• Horizontal Bar: Horizontal columns

Choice based on usage:

• Distribution → Pie or Donut
• Comparison → Bar
• Evolution → Line or Area
• Ranking → Horizontal Bar (long labels)

Source form

Select the form containing the data:

• Action
• Non-conformity
• Audit
• Procedure
• Etc.

Breakdown (Axes)

Field 1 (Primary axis):

• Defines the first level of grouping
• Example: "Department" for "Distribution by department"
• Becomes X-axis (bar) or sectors (pie)

Field 2 (Optional):

• Second level of grouping
• For stacked or grouped charts
• Example: "Priority" to see High/Medium/Low by department

Order:

• Ascending: A→Z, 0→9
• Descending: Z→A, 9→0
• Defines the sorting direction for labels

Status

Check the document types to include based on their workflow state:

Out of process:

• Archived, closed documents
• Generally excluded except for historical analysis

In progress:

• Active documents
• Currently being processed

Completed:

• Finalized, validated documents
• Often included for reporting

Recommendation: For ongoing NCs, check only "In progress". For annual statistics, check "Completed" and "Out of process".

Calculation base

Number of records:

• Simply counts the number of records
• Most common usage
• Example: "Number of NCs by department"

Sum:

• Adds up values from a numeric field
• Example: "Total invoice amount by supplier"
• Requires selecting a numeric field

Average:

• Calculates the average of a numeric field
• Example: "Average NC processing time by department"
• Requires selecting a numeric field

Filters

"Add filter" button: Allows restricting data

Filter examples:

• Creation date >= "01/01/2024" (current year NCs)
• Priority = "High" (only high priorities)
• Department = "Quality" (only one department)
• Status = "Validated" (only validated)

Multiple filters: Combine with AND/OR to refine

Tab 2: User filters

Allows defining interactive filters that end users can modify directly on the chart.

Configuration:

• Select filterable fields
• Example: Period (user chooses the month)
• Example: Department (user selects their department)

Usage: Makes the chart interactive and reusable

Tab 3: Focus (Drill-down)

Configures what happens when the user clicks on a sector or bar.

Options:

• Open detailed list: Shows corresponding documents
• Navigate to another chart: Cascading drill-down
• Open URL: External link

Recommendation: Always configure drill-down to detailed list to enable investigation.

Tab 4: SQL (Advanced)

For experts only: Displays or allows modifying the generated SQL query.

Usage:

• Very specific calculations
• Complex joins
• Optimized performance

Caution: Only modify if you master SQL and database structure.

Tab 5: Visualization and settings

Click the green "Graph visualization" button to access the preview with advanced aesthetic options.

Display options

Checkboxes:

• Rotate: Switch horizontal/vertical (bar charts)
• Show label: Numeric value on sectors/bars
• Percentage value: Transform to relative parts (%)
• Show legend: Color description
• Show report name: Chart title
• Show series name: Subtitle
• Show breadcrumb: Navigation for drill-down

Style options

Palette:

• Oriel, Pastel, Vibrant, etc.
• Harmonious color scheme
• Choose according to your brand guidelines

Appearance:

• Modifies border and shadow rendering
• Ex: Gray 2, Flat, 3D

Angle:

• Tilts X-axis labels
• Useful for long names (ex: -30°, -45°)

Portal integration

Once your chart is created, integrate it into the user portal.

Procedure:

1. Go to Portal > Editor
2. Drag and drop a "Chart report" widget
3. Configure the widget:
   • Widget name: Displayed title
   • Application: Select source application
   • Report: Choose your GraphBuilder chart
   • Height: 250-350 px recommended
4. Validate

Interactivity: Charts are clickable. Clicking on "Purchasing Department" takes the user directly to the list of NCs for the Purchasing Department.

Available chart types

Distribution charts

Pie chart (Pie):

• Shows proportions
• Maximum 8-10 sectors (readability)
• Example: NC distribution by department

Donut:

• Modern variant of pie chart
• Central hole to add info (total)

Comparison charts

Columns (Bar):

• Compares values between categories
• Example: Number of actions per month

Stacked columns:

• Shows composition of each category
• Example: Actions per month and by status (In progress / Completed)

Horizontal bars:

• Useful for long labels (department names)
• Ranking, top N

Evolution charts

Line chart (Line):

• Shows trend over time
• Example: Evolution of NC number over 12 months
• Multiple series for comparison

Area chart (Area):

• Line chart with fill
• Emphasizes volumes

Business case: Quality dashboard

Context: The Quality Manager wants a complete visual dashboard.

Created charts:

1. "NCs by department" (Pie chart):

   • Form: Non-Conformity
   • Field 1: Department
   • Base: Number of records
   • Status: In progress
   • Filter: Current year

2. "Monthly NC evolution" (Line chart):

   • Form: Non-Conformity
   • Field 1: Creation month
   • Base: Number of records
   • Status: All
   • Period: Last 12 months

3. "Actions by status" (Stacked columns):

   • Form: Action
   • Field 1: Department
   • Field 2: Status
   • Base: Number of records
   • Status: In progress, Completed

4. "Top 10 NC causes" (Horizontal bars):

   • Form: Non-Conformity
   • Field 1: Cause
   • Base: Number of records
   • Order: Descending
   • Limit: First 10

Portal integration:

• 4 widgets on Manager's portal
• 2-column layout (2 charts per column)
• Automatic refresh

Result: Real-time overview. At a glance, identification of struggling departments and trends.

Best practices

Design

Simplicity:

• One chart = one piece of information
• No more than 8-10 categories (pie chart)
• Explicit titles

Colors:

• Harmonious palette
• Consistency with brand guidelines
• Semantic colors (red=alert, green=OK)

Interactivity:

• Always configure drill-down
• User filters if relevant
• Clear legend

Performance

Optimization:

• Filter data (load only what's necessary)
• Avoid complex calculations (do them in SQL if possible)
• Limit number of series (multiple lines)

Refresh:

• Charts refresh on each display
• On large volumes, may be slow
• Consider caching if necessary

Maintenance

Regular review:

• Check chart relevance
• Remove unused charts
• Adjust according to business evolution

Documentation:

• Document each chart (usage, source, calculation)
• Note complex formulas
• Keep versions (V1, V2)

Support

For complex charts (multiple joins, advanced calculations, integration with external tools), contact Avanteam support.