How can you explain your algorithm to non-technical people?

1 Define the problem

The first step is to define the problem that your algorithm is trying to solve. What is the goal, the input, and the output of your algorithm? What are the challenges or constraints that make the problem hard or interesting? You can use a question, a scenario, or a story to frame the problem and engage your audience. For example, if your algorithm is a sorting algorithm, you can ask how would you sort a pile of books by their titles.

2 Describe the solution

The next step is to describe the solution that your algorithm provides. How does your algorithm work, step by step, to achieve the goal? What are the main ideas or techniques that your algorithm uses? You can use analogies, metaphors, or comparisons to make your algorithm more relatable and intuitive. For example, if your algorithm is a merge sort algorithm, you can compare it to how you would merge two sorted lists of cards.

3 Demonstrate the results

Demonstrate the results that your algorithm produces. How does your algorithm perform, in terms of speed, accuracy, efficiency, or quality? How does your algorithm compare to other algorithms or methods that solve the same problem? You can use graphs, charts, tables, or visuals to show the data and the outcomes of your algorithm. For example, if your algorithm is a face recognition algorithm, you can show how it can identify faces in different images or videos.

4 Simplify the terminology

One of the biggest challenges of explaining your algorithm to non-technical people is to avoid using technical terms that they may not understand. You should try to simplify the terminology as much as possible, and use plain and common words instead. If you have to use a technical term, you should define it and explain it in a simple way. For example, if your algorithm uses recursion, you can define it as a method of solving a problem by breaking it down into smaller and simpler problems.

5 Avoid the details

Another challenge of explaining your algorithm to non-technical people is to avoid getting into too much detail that may confuse or bore them. You should focus on the big picture and the main logic of your algorithm, and omit the details that are not essential or relevant. If you have to show some code, you should use pseudocode or comments to make it easier to read and understand. For example, if your algorithm is a binary search algorithm, you can show the pseudocode like this:

function binary_search(list, target):
  # set the low and high indices of the list
  low = 0
  high = length of list - 1
  # repeat until low is greater than high
  while low <= high:
    # find the middle index of the list
    mid = (low + high) / 2
    # check if the middle element is the target
    if list[mid] == target:
      # return the index of the target
      return mid
    # check if the target is smaller than the middle element
    elif target < list[mid]:
      # set the high index to be one less than the middle index
      high = mid - 1
    # check if the target is larger than the middle element
    else:
      # set the low index to be one more than the middle index
      low = mid + 1
  # return -1 if the target is not found
  return -1        

6 Use examples and scenarios

The last tip to explain your algorithm to non-technical people is to use examples and scenarios that illustrate how your algorithm works and why it matters. You should use real-world or familiar situations that your audience can relate to and understand. You should also use different examples or scenarios to show how your algorithm handles different cases or inputs. For example, if your algorithm is a shortest path algorithm, you can use a map of a city and show how your algorithm finds the shortest route between two locations.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?