Illustration is the second step in the FINESSE Fishbone Diagram®. The “I” reminds us that once a problem is defined, it must be communicated in ways that decision makers can see, grasp, and act upon. Illustration is not about decoration. It is about clarity, credibility, and providing the information that decision makers need.
The Illustrate bone includes all of the visuals, including graphics, photos, and videos, that are used to communicate issues with high levels of complexity and uncertainty.
Why Illustration (Visualization) Matters
Decision makers rarely fail because they lack intelligence or resources. They fail because the issues they face are abstract, technical, or buried in detail. Illustration bridges that gap. It turns data into stories, systems into diagrams, and the unrelatable into relatable.
Visualization is not optional. Without it, even the most carefully defined problem will remain stuck in technical silos. With it, communication becomes strategic and memorable.
Three Components of Visualization
The Illustrate bone of the FINESSE Fishbone Diagram® includes all the visuals and graphics we use to make large data sets understandable. Edward Tufte's reminder is instructive: "Graphical excellence is a matter of substance, of statistics, and of design.”
Interestingly, two of the aspects relate to information, and one relates to decoration.
In FINESSE, effective visualization rests on three components.
Essential Graphics
There are six essential visuals: pictures, geospatial maps, time series charts, tables, tornado diagrams, and guiding graphics. Each serves a distinct purpose. As a rule, all six should be part of every presentation.
Another rule is to use one of each type. Find the one that matters most. Keep your message clear!
Single, Concise Messages
Every visual should have a single key message, stated briefly and concisely. Less is more.
Color Discipline
Black, dark blue, and white are always effective. Grayscale and pastels provide balance and serve as undistracting backgrounds. Red, yellow, and orange should be used sparingly for emphasis, not as primary colors.
Color discipline is also important for presentations for the visually impaired, who represent between 8 and 25 percent of senior management. Choosing the right colors and contrast is important to avoid alienating or losing a key block of your audience.
Techniques for Effective Visualization
1. Tables Over Graphs
Tables are often more effective than graphs in business communication. Graphs are useful when data sets are large or complex, but in most cases, a table suffices. The rule is always to use a table, and sometimes use a graph.
2. Use These Graphics with Caution
Scatter diagrams, matrices, histograms, and pie charts are not inherently bad, but they can take up valuable time to explain. Decision makers have limited attention. Use these visuals sparingly, and only when a deeper technical debate is the goal.
3. Guiding Graphics for Energy and Vision
Every presentation should have a guiding graphic on the wall. It captures the team’s energy and vision while also depicting the high‑level schedule. It lets decision makers know where we are and where we are going. A guiding graphic is the one place where a decorative visual belongs—anchored in information but infused with inspiration.
Most visuals should be informative and not decorative. Making big decisions is not an art project.
4. Avoid Excessive Videos
Remember, you have limited time with high-level leaders. And those leaders want the facts. Videos and embedded video clips tend to eat up time and distract attention. For these reasons, use videos as supplemental information.
5. Clearly Include the Key Message
The single key message, stated briefly and concisely, for each visual should be clearly stated. For the key six visuals, this should appear as the caption and the alternative text. For videos, the key message should be included in the captions or closed captions, and ideally also in the video.
Facilitating with FINESSE
Facilitators must ensure that the majority of visuals are information visuals. Outside presenters often overdo the number and complexity of their graphics. The facilitator’s role is to keep visuals consistent with FINESSE principles, which requires active interaction with external presenters prior to sharing information with the group. When guiding participants to solutions that are created, understood, and accepted by all, the burden of effective communication is on the sender (you), not the receiver.
Communicate with FINESSE
The “I” in FINESSE Fishbone Diagram® stands for Illustrate. The chances of effective communication diminish significantly without clear illustrations. On the other hand, well-done visuals allow technical professionals and decision makers to navigate complexity and uncertainty with confidence.
Do you have a formal approach for illustrating (visualizing) big issues with high complexity and uncertainty? Are you Communicating with FINESSE®?
JD Solomon Inc. provides solutions for program development, asset management, and facilitation at the nexus of facilities, infrastructure, and the environment.
JD Solomon writes and speaks on decision-making, reliability, risk, and communication for leaders and technical professionals. His work connects technical disciplines with human understanding to help people make better decisions and build stronger systems. Learn more at www.jdsolomonsolutions.com and www.communicatingwithfinesse.com
