What do you do if you need to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders in an interview?

I will simplify my language, avoid jargon, and use analogies that relate to everyday experiences. I will focus on the relevance and impact of these concepts on their roles or business objectives. I encourage questions to ensure understanding and provide examples to demonstrate real-world applications.

If you are explaining technical things to a non-technical person then use simple words by giving them real world example to explain the technical concept. Use minimum technical words and use simple words explain the concept and stick to the end goal of the concept

I try to find an analogous example from daily life scenarios. It helps non-technical people to connect faster than any other method. for eg. A person might not know about computer's memory. We can explain it like: Imagine memory to be a bag. We can put things inside it, in computers it will be data (image, video, text, etc). As we know the bigger the bag, more is its storage. Similarly, the larger the memory, more data it can hold.

Understanding Your Audience: Tailor explanations based on their background. Simplification: Use analogies and examples to simplify complex ideas. Visual Aids: Utilize diagrams and charts to enhance understanding. Emphasize Benefits: Focus on practical implications and advantages. Minimize Jargon: Avoid technical language and provide clear explanations. Encourage Interaction: Foster an open environment for questions and feedback. Adaptability: Adjust your approach based on audience cues. Business Alignment: Connect technical concepts with broader business goals. Provide Resources: Offer additional materials for deeper understanding. Seek Feedback: Solicit input to improve future communications.

You don't. You convey business impact of how you've measured the technical factors. If you want to share technical concepts on an awareness level, communicate is the simplest way it's use case with everyday analogy. Non technical people do not need to learn technical things, thatsv y they have you to translate.

Connect technical concepts to familiar situations, making them relatable and easier to comprehend. Analogies serve as bridges between the known and the unknown. ????

Analogies are a powerful tool for simplifying complex concepts in a way that resonates with non-technical stakeholders, helping them stay engaged and grasp the topic at hand. For instance, consider an SVOD service's recommendation algorithm, which operates much like a personal chef who learns your taste preferences. Just as the chef suggests new dishes based on your favorites, the SVOD service uses your viewing history to recommend tailored shows and movies, demonstrating how data collection shapes personalized recommendations, akin to a chef customizing meals to suit your palate.

Use Relatable Analogies and Everyday Examples For example, you can explain Data Governance by drawing parallels to traffic laws and regulations. Need to explain predictive analysis, compare it to weather forecasting. My personal favourite is when I need to explain Machine Learning, I always talk about Netflix and TikTok's powerful algorithms. Just always remember, if you think hard enough you will always find familiar analogies to make complex technical concepts more accessible and relatable for non-technical stakeholders in any situation whether an interview or during a meeting.

Analogies are great to simplify a topic and keep the non-expert interested. However, don't forget that an established analogy or model is just a simplification and might only fit in a certain scenario but not holistically.

Every profession has technical aspects. Trying to relay information to those not in that particular field can be difficult. I often use analogies that most people can relate to as well as simplifying my language.

Incorporate diagrams, charts, or presentations to supplement explanations. Visuals enhance clarity and engagement, facilitating better comprehension of technical concepts. ????

To explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders in an interview, I just focus on explaining the 'why' behind the concepts in simple terms that can be understood, use visuals such as charts, and simple drawings to illustrate and welcome questions and answer them in a very simple way so that it can be understood.

Lookout for pre-made collections and tools to quickly generate illustrations. Examples can be biorender.com for the Biotech field or even generative AIs in general.

I often use visual aids when trying to describe a chronic illness or treatment/management of a chronic illness to patients. My visual aids of choice are typically models or I draw it out for patients. It’s quite interactive. They are able to demonstrate their understanding by using the model or drawing it out for me in return.

Visual aids, like charts and graphs, are indispensable tools for conveying complex information in a digestible format. By supplementing verbal explanations with visual representations, such as pie charts, bar graphs, or scatter plots, I enhance comprehension and engagement among stakeholders. These visual aids distill intricate data into easily understandable visuals, allowing non-technical stakeholders to grasp key insights at a glance. Additionally, visualizations can highlight trends, patterns, and relationships within the data that may not be immediately apparent from raw numbers alone. By leveraging visual aids effectively, I ensure that stakeholders can make informed decisions based on clear and compelling data presentations.

Consider why they will care. What is their vested interest in the project. E.g, A finance executive waiting for the database upgrade in time to plan budgets for next quarter. (But there is a delay in the launch of the software as the data format in some fields only accepts numerical inputs but older profiles entered using symbols/text and during data migration phase this was identified and data transformation required). To explain, the way we used to record company size or credit limits cannot be included as is because the new system doesn’t recognise letters only numbers. It’s important this is updated properly & correctly to allow accurate comprehensive reports to be accessed for forward planning or the figures will be wrong.

Align technical details with overarching objectives to showcase relevance and significance. Connecting concepts to goals emphasizes their practical implications and drives stakeholder buy-in. ????

In my experience, zooming out and zooming in gives an overview of what matters and also creates a sense of relatability to the concepts or project or goals. By zooming out I mean giving a broader overview, narrowing it down to the key takeaways and keeping it simple enough. One question to consider while zooming out is ‘What does this mean to you in a nutshell?’ Zooming in is important to create a bit more detailed analysis so as not to lose touch with the process that leads to the goals. Using analogies and visualisation combined with proper explanation could help them relate the process and concepts to what matters most to them.

Real-world examples are invaluable for illustrating how data analysis techniques can directly contribute to achieving organizational goals. By showcasing successful case studies or examples relevant to stakeholders' objectives, I demonstrate the tangible benefits of leveraging data analysis. For instance, I might highlight how predictive modeling improved sales forecasting accuracy, leading to better inventory management and increased profitability for a retail client. By relating technical concepts to concrete examples tied to specific goals, I emphasize the practical relevance and potential impact of data analysis in driving business success.

Connecting technical terms to broader organizational goals is crucial for stakeholder engagement. Explaining how understanding these terms contributes to efficiency, innovation, or cost savings reinforces their importance. By demonstrating the practical applications and benefits, you show stakeholders the value of investing time and effort into understanding technical concepts.

The best way to do so is by explaining them not by using the technical terms but by linking those terms to a practical and relevant example that they can relate to. This helps them understand the terms better. I usually give 2-3 relatable examples, this makes the stakeholders relate to the terms and they remember it in a better way. As the goal is always to simply and convert the technical terms into the language that the target stakeholders can understand.

Connecting technical details to real world situations, like a story where three things must be included 1. Objective (what is your plan ) 2. How will you achieve 3. What is the outcome and profit with limitations

Breaking down technical terms into simpler language is essential for effective communication. Real-life analogies provide context and help stakeholders relate unfamiliar concepts to familiar experiences. For example, explaining encryption as locking a message in a safe during transit can make it more understandable than diving into cryptographic algorithms.

Cultivate understanding by allowing stakeholders time to absorb information. Patience fosters a supportive environment for learning and promotes effective communication. ???

Very correct. Patience is very essential in ensuring that the non-technical stakeholders fully grasp everything subsequently.

Its not just patience. Plan ahead and reduce your amount of data and infos to leave enough time to clarify and answer question. Keep more back-up content at hand if there is time left.

Recognizing that stakeholders may not grasp technical concepts immediately requires patience. It's important to create a supportive environment where stakeholders feel comfortable asking questions and seeking clarification without fear of judgment. Patience also involves repeating key points or offering multiple examples to reinforce understanding.

Sempre adapte sua comunica??o ao público específico, ouvindo suas preocupa??es e respondendo às suas perguntas de maneira clara e concisa.

Tailor communication approach to audience preferences and expertise levels. Understanding stakeholders' needs and backgrounds enhances the effectiveness of conveying technical concepts. ????

Few points to consider; Firstly, I prioritize clarity by breaking down complex ideas into digestible chunks, avoiding technical jargon whenever possible. Additionally, I leverage analogies and real-world examples to make abstract concepts more relatable and easier to grasp. Visual aids, such as diagrams or slides, can also be invaluable in providing a visual representation of the concept. Importantly, I actively listen to the stakeholders' questions and feedback, gauging their level of understanding and adjusting my explanations accordingly. By employing these methods, I ensure that everyone involved feels informed and engaged in the discussion, fostering effective communication and collaboration.

To explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders during an interview, consider the following approaches: - Use software or tools that can help visualize the concept to demonstrate it more effectively. - Break down the concept into simple, easy-to-understand steps. - Start with the basics and avoid assuming any prior knowledge on the part of the stakeholder. - Establish a feedback loop where you ask for feedback to ensure understanding and adjust your explanation as needed. - Find common experiences or ideas to use as metaphors, making complex ideas more relatable. - Create a narrative around the concept, using storytelling to make the explanation engaging and memorable.

As always: What is your audience? Understand there level of expertise and what they really need to know. Designe your presentation accordingly.