Which combination of visualizations should a marketing analyst include to effectively compare quarterly sales performance?

For effectively comparing quarterly sales performance, the combination of visualizations that includes a time series chart, variance calculation, and smart insights is particularly powerful.

A time series chart is ideal for displaying sales data over various time periods, such as quarters. It allows the analyst to observe trends, seasonal patterns, and changes in sales performance over time, making it easier to identify growth or decline in sales figures across different quarters.

Variance calculation adds another layer of analysis by comparing actual sales against a target or previous periods. This quantitative measure highlights areas of improvement or concern and gives context to the trends displayed in the time series chart. By understanding variance, analysts can make informed decisions based on how much sales have deviated from expected performance.

Smart insights enhance the analysis by utilizing automated features in SAP Analytics Cloud. This functionality can provide context-aware suggestions, highlight anomalies, or summarize key takeaways, which can further facilitate a deeper understanding of the sales data. This combination not only presents the data effectively but also enhances decision-making by providing actionable insights.

Using this trio of visualizations can help a marketing analyst draw comprehensive conclusions about quarterly sales performance and identify strategies for future improvement.