Flash-based with an external data file
Click image to view the working file
The IMF’s Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, wanted an interactive graphic to show the progress of key HR initiatives for broadcast to the IMF’s rank and file via their intranet. As each initiative progresses, as defined by their sub-initiatives, the tree fills out with its color-coded leaves.
Being animated and interactive was a key request, however there are major drawbacks to using Flash in a case like this. Highest on the list is the ease and cost of constantly updating the file to always show up-to-date information. I have seen first hand the difficulties of updating a Flash file repeatedly. It can produce work load stress on a department as well as potentially corrupt or break a previously working iteration.
My solution to these pain-points for this graphic was to utilize an external data file. Such a file can be easily edited using any text or word processing program, no Flash experience needed. That means quick, easy, and instant changes done, to any of the key variables to update the graphic’s appearance, at the client's fingertips.
The working graphic shown here is a remote instance, not the IMF’s live graphic, which resides on their intranet.
