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What do you do if non-technical stakeholders struggle to understand your network engineering concepts?

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As a network engineer, you might often face the challenge of communicating your technical ideas and solutions to non-technical stakeholders, such as managers, clients, or end-users. How do you explain complex network engineering concepts in a way that they can understand and appreciate? Here are some tips to help you bridge the gap and communicate effectively with different audiences.

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Mehran M.

1 Know your audience

Before you start explaining anything, you need to know who you are talking to and what their level of knowledge, interest, and motivation is. Do they need to know the details of how your network works, or just the benefits and outcomes? Do they have any background or experience in network engineering, or are they completely unfamiliar with the terminology and concepts? Do they have any specific concerns or questions that you need to address? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your message and choose the appropriate language, tone, and format.

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Mehran M.
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Understanding your audience is crucial for effective communication. Consider their knowledge level, interests, and motivations: Technical Audience: Explain network details, protocols, and configurations. Use industry terminology. Non-Technical Audience: Focus on benefits and outcomes. Avoid jargon; use plain language. Customize based on their background and concerns. Remember, clarity and relevance matter.

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Benignus Mgbemere

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I like all the points mentioned however, you have to be patient and show empathy during your explanations. Put yourself in their shoe's. It's not their area of specialisation as such, they may not understand you fast. By bringing yourself to their level, you will be able to communicate with them. Effective communication require the speaker and the listener to understand each other. When you sow empathy to them, they will be open to you and that will assist you to drive your message effectively.

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2 Use analogies and metaphors

One of the most effective ways to simplify and illustrate network engineering concepts is to use analogies and metaphors that relate to everyday situations or common objects. For example, you can compare a network to a highway system, a router to a traffic controller, a firewall to a security guard, or a packet to a letter. Analogies and metaphors can help your non-technical stakeholders visualize and understand how your network operates, what problems it solves, and what benefits it provides.

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3 Avoid jargon and acronyms

Another way to make your network engineering concepts more accessible and clear is to avoid using jargon and acronyms that might confuse or alienate your non-technical stakeholders. Unless you are sure that they are familiar with the terms, try to use plain and simple language that explains what they mean and why they matter. For example, instead of saying "We need to configure the DHCP server to assign IP addresses to the devices on the LAN", you can say "We need to set up a system that gives each device on the network a unique name so they can communicate with each other".

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Mehran M.
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When communicating network concepts to non-technical stakeholders, steer clear of jargon and acronyms. Router vs. Traffic Cop: Instead of saying, “We need to configure the router’s ACLs,” try: “Think of the router as a traffic cop. We’ll set rules to allow or block specific types of traffic.” Firewall Simplified: Rather than diving into stateful inspection and packet filtering, say: “Our firewall acts like a security guard. It checks who’s coming in and out, allowing safe visitors and blocking troublemakers.” Bandwidth as a Highway: Instead of “We’re upgrading our bandwidth,” try: “Imagine our network as a highway. We’re widening it to handle more cars (data) at once.”

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4 Use visuals and examples

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when it comes to network engineering concepts. Using visuals, such as diagrams, charts, graphs, or screenshots, can help you show how your network works, what components it consists of, and how it interacts with other systems. Visuals can also help you highlight the key points, compare the alternatives, and demonstrate the results. Similarly, using examples, such as scenarios, case studies, or stories, can help you illustrate how your network engineering concepts apply to real-world situations and how they affect your non-technical stakeholders.

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5 Check for understanding and feedback

Finally, after you have explained your network engineering concepts, you need to check for understanding and feedback from your non-technical stakeholders. You can ask them open-ended questions, such as "What do you think of this solution?", "How does this meet your needs?", or "Do you have any questions or concerns?". You can also ask them to summarize or repeat what you have explained, or to give you an example of how they would use or benefit from your network. Checking for understanding and feedback will help you confirm that your message has been received and understood, and that you have addressed any gaps or issues.

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6 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?

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What do you do if non-technical stakeholders struggle to understand your network engineering concepts?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Know your audience

2 Use analogies and metaphors

3 Avoid jargon and acronyms

4 Use visuals and examples

5 Check for understanding and feedback

6 Here’s what else to consider

Network Engineering

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What do you do if non-technical stakeholders struggle to understand your network engineering concepts?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Know your audience

2 Use analogies and metaphors

3 Avoid jargon and acronyms

4 Use visuals and examples

5 Check for understanding and feedback

6 Here’s what else to consider

Network Engineering

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