Building skills in data literacy, data visualisation, and data storytelling

When it comes to operationalising the way we use data in our organisations, I focus on three separate, but interconnected areas: data literacy, data visualisation, and data storytelling. Even though the goal is to get to the point of data storytelling, these elements are not sequential steps or a linear progression from left to right; they are, in fact, more fluid. Even with good skills in these areas, as we navigate the introduction of new data sets, new roles, promotions, and other changes, we need to be willing to jump back to learn about the data and build better visualisations when required.

Data Literacy: Unveiling the Meaning Behind the Numbers

At the most foundational level, effective data engagement and use relies on all users having a functional level of data literacy. Understanding the nuances of various data types, metrics, and their implications is crucial; however, many of our people struggle with their data literacy, and do not truly understand the numbers. Interestingly, a 2018 Gartner survey identified poor data literacy as the second most significant roadblock to success, emphasising its pervasive impact that these skills (or lack of) can have on organisational dynamics.

Many individuals that I meet in my work (and a significant number of whom are in leadership roles), tell me that even though there are clear expectations that they understand and use the data that they have access to, they often are not confident in doing so, or in asking for help. Bridging this gap is essential if we want to improve data use, and it begins with dismantling assumptions and developing a plan for building data literacy skills.

Charles Seife's book, "Proofiness: How You're Being Fooled By the Numbers," highlights the importance of contextualising numbers. As he highlights, a seemingly insignificant figure like the number five, gains significance only when placed within a specific context. Therefore, as leaders, it is our imperative to build our data literacy, and to empower individuals with the ability to discern the context and meaning surrounding numerical data.

Data Visualisation: Transforming Numbers into Charts

Moving beyond data literacy, the next important element of data use is data visualisation. The old adage "a picture is worth a thousand words" rings true in the data realm, where a well-crafted visualisation (whether that be a graph, table, infographic etc.) can encapsulate millions of data points at any one time. Our work with data visualisations lies not only in understanding and interpreting the visuals that we are given, but also in knowing what better options are available. When we know better, we can either ask for, or develop more appropriate visualisations to support our analysis.

While visualisations like bar and line graphs are often seen in the media, lesser-known images such as scatter plots or box-and-whisker plots offer unique perspectives; but again, they are not easily understood by some people.

If we are developing our own visuals, or having someone else develop them for us, clarity over complexity is paramount, ensuring that the image is able to effectively convey the trends and insights that are important for the inquiry and action. The ultimate goal is a concise, clear representation of the most relevant data, that encapsulates the story, fostering understanding for the user, and informing decision-making.

Data Storytelling: Leading Change through Narrative

The ultimate goal of engaging with data is data storytelling. In his book "Effective Data Storytelling," Brent Dykes emphasises the significance of presenting data stories to an audience. While this is an important skill in using and sharing data, data storytelling is not limited to formal presentations; it is a key element of our daily practice.

As we engage with data in our daily work, the essence of data storytelling lies in answering two fundamental questions: What are the trends and insights revealed by the data, and what actions can be taken based on this newfound understanding? It's a continuous loop of exploration and action, with a priority on action and steps forward.

In the world of data - where some research estimates that 80% of the time is spent on collecting and organising data - building skills in data literacy, data visualisation, and data storytelling is vital to progressing our teams and organisations. Ideally, if we can shrink the 80%, we will be able to devote more time to identifying actionable insights and decision-making.

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This newsletter started as a podcast; if you'd like to listen to this episode and/or follow the podcast, check it out here .

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I am a data storyteller and grounded researcher, and I help organisations use their data more effectively and help them tell great data stories. If you'd like a hand with data storytelling or strategy, I'd love to chat with you.

Keynote speaker | Author | Facilitator