Histogram charts

A histogram groups the numbers in a data set into ranges.

The data used in a histogram is continuous data. Continuous data is measured whereas discrete data, which is used in bar charts, is counted.

A histogram can show the pattern of P1 incidents logged over a four-week period after a product release. What you might see is that for the first week after the product was released, P1 incidents were low because users did not really understand the product enough to use it. In the second week, more users started working with the product and P1 issues increased. In the third week, P1 issues increased even more as more users began working with the product. In the fourth week, P1 issues stayed the same as the third week. Using the information in the chart, you may determine that it is not necessary to increase support staff until the third week after a product is released.

Figure 1. Histogram Report

Create a histogram report

Histograms group numbers in a continuous data set into ranges.

Before you begin

Role required: itil, report_group, report_global, report_admin, or admin. To create a meaningful report, you must have the right to access the data you want to report on.

Procedure

  1. Navigate to Reports > Create New.
  2. Fill in the fields, as appropriate.
    Table 1. Histogram
    Field Description
    Name Enter a unique and descriptive name for your report.
    Description Click the information icon (The information icon) to enter a more detailed description of what the report does and its purpose.
    Data Specify the table or report source containing the data set that you want to include in the report. From the first choice list, select the Table or Report source. Then select the specific table or predefined data set from the second choice list.
    Type

    Select Histogram.

    Alternatively, click the question mark icon (The question mark icon) to use the report type selector.
    Measured by Select a field to report against. Make sure that you give the report a name that reflects this field. The values from this field appear on the X axis of the histogram and determine the width of the bars.
    Add "OR" Clause Select a second condition that must be met if the first condition is invalid. For example, select [Assignment Group] [is] [Database], to include records that are assigned to the Database group if the first condition is false.
    Add Sort Field Select fields to sort data by. For example, to sort results from lowest to highest priority, select [Priority] [z to a].
  3. Click Save.
    The report is generated.

What to do next

Add reports to homepages or dashboards, publish to the internet, schedule email distribution of PDFs or URLs of published reports, and share reports with others. See Distribute reports.