10. 5. Intersections

_ Tips for Finding the FIfth Data Story Type - Intersections:_

Alright, at this point in your data-finding exploration, you want to find out whether any important variables criss-cross each other for different categories at points in time, or will do so likely in the near future.

This type of story, by definition, is one that involves a timeline, or perhaps an animated bar chart or scatterplot. The emphasis is on the cross-over point - when does it happen, which item or group leap-frogs over which other item or group, and why do you think this is happening?

In its simplest form, the intersections data story is a timeline with lines that cross each other, or intersect, one or multiple times. Start by creating an x-axis out of your date/time variable, like sales order date, and then using a critical measure like sales or profit to create the y-axis. Use lines as your marks, and create groups by adding interesting and meaningful dimensions to detail or color.

Do you see any cross-over points? If so, where, and why? Go down this road, and your intersections story type might start to take shape!