Four Visual Lenses to Compare Projects—Which One Helps You Decide?

Attached is a picture that illustrates four ways to compare projects or project options. Each chart offers a different perspective on how we can evaluate and contrast project opportunities:

- Box-Whisker Chart (Upper Left) – Shows the distribution of NPV for four projects or strategies. It’s a great way to visualize spread and identify potential outliers.

- Bubble Chart: Mean NPV vs. NPV Standard Deviation (Upper Right) – Compares average returns with risk (variability). Bubble size indicates development cost. This is inspired by Markowitz’s efficient frontier concept

- Bubble Chart: Mean NPV vs. Value at Risk 5% (Lower Left) – Adds a downside-focused view. We see how much we stand to lose at worst, helping prioritize risk management.

- Bubble Chart: Expected Gain vs. Expected Loss (Lower Right) – Splits the outcomes into positive and negative NPV, offering an intuitive picture of upside vs. downside potential. Bubble size highlights overall project value.

These are just a few ways we can compare projects—each with its pros and cons. I’m curious to hear how others approach this. How do you visualize and compare projects or strategic options? Which metrics and visuals resonate with your stakeholders?