What if chart
Encyclopedia
A what if chart is a visual tool for modeling the outcome of a combination of different factor
s. The table can represent actual results or predicted outcome based on combination
s of parameter
s. It is a visual equivalent of asking the question, what if...? or 'what happens if...?' multiple times for each and every factor being considered.
tools to facilitate cognition. In business this is also known as a WHIF (What Happens If) analysis.
Table 1 attempts to predict best choice of restaurant for a group of friends based on each one's food preferences. Each person rates the choices based on the food they prefer, the food they can tolerate, and the food they dislike. All their preferences are put in a what if chart to determine how happy they will be with the choice.
Assuming Mandi and Logan are willing to compromise, clearly Italian food would be the best choice for the group.
Table 2 is simplified example from Mendelian genetics involving controlled breeding of flowers. It demonstrates the outcome when flowers of different colors are crossed with each other. The dominant color gene (Red) decides the outcome when crossed with recessive color gene (yellow) producing a hybrid (Red*) flower. If either parent possesses the dominant gene, the table shows the outcome that results.
Factor analysis
Factor analysis is a statistical method used to describe variability among observed, correlated variables in terms of a potentially lower number of unobserved, uncorrelated variables called factors. In other words, it is possible, for example, that variations in three or four observed variables...
s. The table can represent actual results or predicted outcome based on combination
Combination
In mathematics a combination is a way of selecting several things out of a larger group, where order does not matter. In smaller cases it is possible to count the number of combinations...
s of parameter
Parameter
Parameter from Ancient Greek παρά also “para” meaning “beside, subsidiary” and μέτρον also “metron” meaning “measure”, can be interpreted in mathematics, logic, linguistics, environmental science and other disciplines....
s. It is a visual equivalent of asking the question, what if...? or 'what happens if...?' multiple times for each and every factor being considered.
Other uses
What if charts are also used as classroomClassroom
A classroom is a room in which teaching or learning activities can take place. Classrooms are found in educational institutions of all kinds, including public and private schools, corporations, and religious and humanitarian organizations...
tools to facilitate cognition. In business this is also known as a WHIF (What Happens If) analysis.
Example 1 - Selecting a restaurant
| Table 1 | Chinese | Tex-Mex | Italian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lou | tolerates | dislikes | prefers |
| Mandi | dislikes | prefers | tolerates |
| Logan | prefers | dislikes | tolerates |
| Elle | dislikes | tolerates | prefers |
Table 1 attempts to predict best choice of restaurant for a group of friends based on each one's food preferences. Each person rates the choices based on the food they prefer, the food they can tolerate, and the food they dislike. All their preferences are put in a what if chart to determine how happy they will be with the choice.
Assuming Mandi and Logan are willing to compromise, clearly Italian food would be the best choice for the group.
Example 2 - Analysis of color genetics
| Table 2 | Red (Pollen) | yellow (Pollen) |
|---|---|---|
| Red (flower) | Red (Seeds) | Red* (Seeds) |
| yellow (flower) | Red* (Seeds) | yellow (Seeds) |
Table 2 is simplified example from Mendelian genetics involving controlled breeding of flowers. It demonstrates the outcome when flowers of different colors are crossed with each other. The dominant color gene (Red) decides the outcome when crossed with recessive color gene (yellow) producing a hybrid (Red*) flower. If either parent possesses the dominant gene, the table shows the outcome that results.