Today I’d like to show you how creatively you can replace a typical and not attractive table with a timeline flowchart. I chose the example of the OKR setting process which contains 3 steps and has quite a lot of text, so it’s a more difficult task because there is not much area to use on the slide.
Let’s see how we can replace dense slide with a creative flowchart just in a few simple steps.
The OKR Setting Process Slide Before the Redesign
The slide presented above looks very monotonous. It’s an ordinary table where it’s hard to recognize the steps’ order. The content is very dense and hard to read because of the lack of any eye-catching elements. The columns and rows of the table are separated with a very thin stroke which is barely visible among the text. The slide is hard to understand and makes an overwhelming impression.
So let’s see what you can do to transform such a tiresome slide into a visually attractive one.
The OKR Setting Process Slide After the Redesign
Let’s have a look now at the slide below. It’s still presenting the same process as the previous slide but in a more attractive and visual way. The columns were replaced with a wide arrow shape which visualize the process. Every one of those 3 steps has a colored header which makes the reading flow clear. To make the content more memorable, every step is visualized with a dedicated icon. The redesign slide has a fresh and clear look.
When comparing these two slides, it becomes apparent how the proper visualization of presented content is important. The process visualized graphically is easier to remember and more attractive to read.
Such transformation of a monotonous list into a creative infographic requires only a bit of planning and a few design steps.
Step 0. Analyze the slide content and structure
Before the redesign process, I recommend having a look at the content’s structure first. What kind of content does the source slide present? It’s a table containing steps of the process (OKR stages are following each other, one must be finished so another one can begin).
The source slide presents the content in columns, in this case, we can keep that format. There’s a lot of text and it’s very convenient to divide a slide into three parts but it’s better to find a more creative way than just a stroke table.
How to do it? Just follow the next steps 🙂
Step 1. Replace the table with textboxes – Dividing the slide area.
Once we know what type of graphics we want to use, we can start by dividing the space of the slide into three areas. Instead of a table, use standard textbox shapes and fill them with your content
Step 2. Use arrow shapes to visualize the process.
Change the content shapes into arrows to show the OKR process flow. Use for that the Change Shape tool in PowerPoint.
Step 3. Enrich the shapes with a depth look.
On the left side and at the bottom of each arrow add narrow dark shapes to design the depth look.
Step 4. Create a professional look for the slide with icons and colors.
Highlight the headers with color. Choose the representative icon for each step and place it above the header.
Now your timeline flowchart graphical visualization of the OKR setting process is ready. Made with only a few simple steps. A well-looking slide containing graphic visualization will leave a good impression.
For more examples of PowerPoint timeline redesign, check another case study of the Meeting Agenda timeline makeover for inspiration.
If you prefer a video guide, here’s a YouTube tutorial of the process I described above.
Sources
The slide redesign tips we used in this blog are inspired by
- infoDiagram’s OKR Objectives and Key Results Performance Review (PPT Template) collection.
- Examples of visualizing OKR setting process are based on this blog Make Engaging OKR and Performance Review Presentations
- Find out what you can create on your own with the free PowerPoint diagram sample kit and tutorials.
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