Scatterplots in One Model Storyboards Guide

Scatterplots are powerful visualisation tools that help users to visualize and understand relationships between variables, identify outliers, clusters and trends in data sets. This guide covers how to use scatterplots, common people analytics use cases, and best practices for effective visual storytelling.

What is a Scatterplot?

A scatterplot displays values for two variables for a set of data points. In people analytics, each point typically represents an employee, team, role, or department. Scatterplots are a great way to test hypotheses, e.g. does a change in one variable lead to a specific change in another variable.

• X-axis: Independent variable (e.g., tenure). This is the thing you think might influence something else.
   
• Y-axis: Dependent variable (e.g., performance rating). This is the thing you are trying to measure or predict.

Possible Use Cases for Scatterplots

Not sure where to start? Check out our tips for best practices. 

1. Salary vs. Tenure

• Question: Do longer-tenured employees receive higher salaries?
   
• X-axis: Employee Tenure
   
• Y-axis: Salary
   
• Use: As part of a broader analysis of whether or not we have a “pay for performance culture” or a “time served” compensation system we can test whether there is a particularly strong correlation between higher salary and longer tenure.
   

2. Compensation vs. Performance

• Question: Are top performers being paid higher than medium or low performers?
   
• X-axis: Performance Rating
   
• Y-axis: Total Compensation
   
• Use: Identify pay inequities or validate merit pay programs.
   

3. Attrition Risk vs. Engagement

• Question: Do more highly engaged employees have a lower risk of attrition?
   
• X-axis: Engagement Score
   
• Y-axis: Predicted Attrition Risk
   
• Use: Proactively target retention strategies.
   

4. Monthly Headcount Trend with Last Year

• Question: How has our headcount trended each month compared to the same period last year?
   
• X-axis: Month
   
• Y-axis: Headcount
   
• Use: Visualize the effectiveness of hiring plans or attrition control strategies.
   

How to Create a Scatterplot in Storyboards

Permissions

To get started using scatterplots, you will need to ensure you have the following permissions.

The permissions of CanExploreData and CanCreateDashboard are required to create or edit the queries or visualizations.  

These permissions are accessed from Admin > Application Role > Permission page.  The user will also need Storyboard edit permission to make any modifications to that Storyboard.  This permission is accessed from Admin > Data Access Role > Storyboard > Edit or via Storyboard Settings > Sharing > Can View & Edit.

Your Data Access Role permissions govern the actual data users are able to view based on their selected roles.

Authorized users can access the Define panel to create new queries or visualizations, as well as modify existing ones.

How to create a Scatterplot Chart

A scatterplot illustrates relationships between variables

1. To create a Scatterplot Chart from within a Storyboard, click on the Edit [pencil] icon to enter Storyboard Modify Mode.
   

2. Click the Add [+] icon, then select the Scatterplot Chart option.

3. A new window will appear where you can Define the query for the chart.

4. Choose your data:
   • A Scatterplot must include
     • 1 Point (either a Dimension or Column)
     • 1 X and 1 Y Axis, and;
     • A single Time Period (Time Dimension).

In the example below, you will see the following selections for a Scatterplot illustrating Tenure and Salary:

Data Visualization: Scatterplot

Points: Job Title - this is what each data point is going to represent.

X Axis: Service Tenure (Average) - Years - this is what you think might influence something else.

Y Axis: Average Annual Salary (EOP) -  this is what you are trying to measure or predict. 

Time: Time Periods - Level 1

Please note, when selecting your metrics and dimensions, the eye icon indicates whether it has been selected, and the check/cross icons are your filters. To drill down, you would click on > arrow to view the next level(s).

5. Click Run & Preview Query to run the query and generate a preview of your Scatterplot.

7. Click Insert to add your scatterplot chart to your Storyboard or you can edit the query definition and re-run the query to get the desired results before inserting the funnel chart to your Storyboard.
8. Your scatterplot will be added to the bottom of your Storyboard.
9. Enter a name for the Tile Title, then click Save at the top right of the page, and Exit Modify Mode.

Design Options for Scatterplot

Your scatterplot comes with a broad range of customization options such as point shape and size, line and label, under the Design Tab of the Tile Settings Panel. 

1. Open the Design Panel by clicking the pencil icon at the top right of the page to enter Modify Mode.
2. Find your scatterplot and hover over the heading to reveal the menu.
3. Click on the first icon in the row - Settings to open the settings panel.
4. Click on the Design tab. 

General has options for: 

• Chart Background Colour
• Show Grid Lines
• Legend Horizontal
• Legend Vertical
• Show Major Ticks
• Show Minor Ticks
• Point Shape
• Point Size
• Point Opacity

Chart Color Palette  

Allows you to control the colors of your points. 

X Axis

• Show X Axis Line
• Show X Axis Labels
• X Axis Label Font Size (px)
• X Axis rotation
• Stagger Lines
• Soft Min/Max
• Min Value
• Max Value
• Tick Interval
• Minor Tick Interval

Y Axis

• Show Y Axis Line
• Show Y Labels
• Y Axis Label Font Size (px)
• Soft Min/Max
• Min Value
• Max Value
• Tick Interval
• Minor Tick Interval

Discover Options for Scatterplot

You also have the option to add Correlations and Line of Best Fit under the Discover Tab of the Tile Settings Panel. 

Learn more about Correlations and Line of Best Fit in this introductory guide. 

Best Practices

1. Start with a hypothesis

A scatterplot helps you identify the relationship between two variables. Think about what variable might be related to another, e.g. is employee engagement related to retention?

2. Keep It Focused

Don’t overload your scatterplot. Start with two clear metrics that answer a specific business question.

3. Use Color Wisely

Apply color coding to highlight key groups (e.g., high attrition risk in red). Avoid excessive use of colors that dilute meaning.

4. Support the Story

Add contextual labels or comments so the audience understands what they’re seeing—don’t rely solely on the plot.

5. Look for Patterns, Not Just Outliers

Outliers are interesting, but trends (linear or non-linear) are more valuable for strategic insights. Scatterplots help to identify trends or clusters, areas of concern - validation or contradiction. 

6. Regularly Refresh

Use dynamic filters and saved views to make scatterplots reusable with updated data (e.g., monthly workforce snapshots).

When Not to Use a Scatterplot

• When a summary metric would be clearer (use bar or line charts instead)
   
• When storytelling clarity is lost in too many data points (e.g., entire company without filters)