data sense making & visualization
simplify, build clear graphs and persuadeDO NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES?
Many times we are tempted to say ‘yes’. The reality is that most often than not, those numbers need our help to tell their message. This happens because sometimes the numbers seem too discouraging for those who see them. Other times they are just too many and need a human mind to simplify them and anchor them in reality, that is for people who need the meaning they carry.
The truth is that numbers and data sets carry many possible meanings. It’s our job to make sense of them for other human beings: our managers, colleagues, clients, collaborators.
Our training helps you do exactly that, in a very practical and flexible manner. This training is a lot more than making beautiful graphs: modern tools facilitate beautiful visuals easier than ever. Of course it’s not only about catchy visuals: without the meaningful interpretation behind, for real people and real life decisions, beautiful graphs are just eye candy, a waste of time and extra mental load in a anyway busy & stressful environment.
what, for whom, how
What
This is data sense making & storytelling training. People learn how to make a primary analysis for numbers and data sets, how to spot insights, trends, and outliers, how to simplify and design clear tables and graphs, and how to prepare convincing presentations.
For whom
The training is meant for non-specialists who need to make sense, analyze, and communicate data-driven information on a regular basis, either in live meetings or written reports. We have in mind managers, project managers, admins, or beginner data analysts.
How
The training can be delivered in flexible and supple ways, from full day training to 2-hours modules, in-person / classroom or online, for groups or 1:1, digital self-paced, practice community, instructor-led or blended.
WHY DO WE NEED TRAINING FOR data sense making & visualization?
For our mental clarity
To avoid situations when numbers are not properly simplified in meaningful graphs because the data are not properly understood in the first place and connected to a larger context having to do with people.
To clarify for others with smart visual choices
Poor choices in visual data are more frequent than ever, despite the numerous quality tools available today. For that, we need to understand how human visual perception works and why we tend to focus on some things and totally ignore others.
To engage and explain in meetings & reports
By themselves, numbers speak only to the specialists or the passionate. Many times we need to present to mixed audiences. Mastering these useful techniques make us confident, persuasive and contributing to important decisions.
detailed curriculum
1. Understand the context / big picture
This is the strategic / critical thinking part. Using a synthetic template, we learn how to analyze the context for our data communication in one sitting, in maximum 15 min.
1. Who is the audience: expectations, behavior style, pressures & opportunities, what’s at stake.
2. What the data tell us: sources, tools to make quick sense of it, statistics 101, using AI tools to speed and refine the process.
3. How am I going to present it? The communication: key message, key pillars, delivery medium (for live or written report).
2. Visualize
This is the design part. Here are some topics:
1. Table, graph or both?
2. If graph, what type of graph? Types of graphs and when to use them: time series, hierarchy, part of a whole, deviation, distribution, correlation, location, nominal comparison.
3. How do I direct instant attention where I want?
– how designers think and how to apply it to data visualization: the Gestalt principles
– the visual sense has its own brain: how to use sensory attributes
– less is more: decluttering step by step.
3. Present
This is the part where we tell a meaningful story. Not the fiction type, but sort of a journalistic one. Anchored in reality.
If done right, this is the part where the people in the room listening or reading the report nod their heads in understanding, start asking questions (the curious inquisitive type, not the “what does that line / box / point mean…” type. This is the part where people start discussing about better decisions based on unexpected insights we provide.
Here are some topics we practice:
1. How do I plan and prepare my presentation? Simple mental models to apply quickly for our data story. Key points. Plan B.
2. What story structures work best for my situation? Story structures for positive tension. Speaking to both right and left sides of the brain.
3. How do I manage presenter anxiety?