Field notes
Charts that survive a board pack without apology slides
A board pack chart should answer one question at a glance. For cargo throughput, that question is usually “how did this period compare with the same period last year and with the prior quarter?” Dual baselines beat a single rising line.
We avoid stacking too many commodity groups on one area chart. Prefer a small-multiples layout: one panel for containers, one for breakbulk where relevant, and a short caption naming the terminals in scope.
Color choices matter in printed packs. Harbor teal and sand neutrals hold up on projectors better than thin pastel lines. We reserve a single accent for the period under discussion.
If your team needs a Cargo Throughput Visual Pack, tell us who will speak to the slides. Charts for a CFO differ from charts for a terminal liaison — same numbers, different emphasis.