Technical Data Representation

"By visualizing information, we turn it into a landscape that you can explore with your eyes. A sort of information map.”? -? David McCandless, writer, designer & creative director living in London

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Technical people delivering technical presentations have an additional burden that non-technical speakers don't have to worry about– how to represent data on their slides.

Regarding data representation in technical presentation slides, presenters should focus on the following focus areas:

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Accurate and Objective Representation of Data

Ensure that the data presented is accurate and not altered to create a misleading narrative. Represent data truthfully, including potential limitations or uncertainties in the analysis.

You want your data to be foolproof without the chance of being disputed by someone in the audience.? You should anticipate questions your audience may have about your data and be ready to respond with previously practiced answers.

Data should always be presented within a clear context to avoid misinterpretation. Include relevant benchmarks, comparison points, or baselines to ensure the audience understands the data’s significance.

Analogies concerning your data can make the data more straightforward for your audience.? Ensure you show the context.? Data can mean different things in different contexts.

Misleading scaling in graphs or using inconsistent units can distort the interpretation of results. Always label axes and provide units of measurement for clarity.

Ensure your axis labels and units in your graphs are clearly labeled and understandable to your audience.

So, when representing data in technical presentation slides, you should focus on accurately and objectively representing your data.

Another focus area should be consistency in visual and content representation.

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Consistency in Visual and Content Representation

Use consistent design elements like color schemes, fonts, and formatting. Visual consistency helps the audience stay focused on the content without being distracted by design changes.

Companies brand their messages similarly, so when the visual of their advertising is displayed, there is no question about which company is advertising.

Using multiple graphs or charts ensures that similar data types are represented consistently. For example, if you show multiple trend graphs, keep the axes and colors uniform to facilitate comparisons.

Do this to remove another distraction from your audience’s mind.? You want your audience to focus on your message, not the inconsistent format between graphs or charts.

Prioritize information on slides through effective use of spacing, headings, and font sizes to guide the audience’s attention to the most essential parts.

Also, remove anything, and I mean anything, from the slide if it does not contribute to your presentation message.

So, when representing data in technical presentation slides, you should focus on accurate and objective representation of your data and consistency in visual and content representation.

A final focus area regarding data representation in technical presentation slides is inclusivity and accessibility in representation.

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Inclusivity and Accessibility in Representation

Consider that some audience members may have color vision deficiencies (e.g., color blindness). Use patterns, labels, or high-contrast color schemes to ensure that your slides are understandable to everyone.

You will never know if any of your audience members have color vision deficiencies, but it is worth your extra effort if you can prevent them from struggling with the colors in your slides.

Sometimes, using a variety of ways to represent the same data (e.g., a chart and a bullet point summary) can help cater to different learning styles and ensure comprehension.

Your audience’s members may have different ways to learn more easily.? Bulleted words on your slides may be acceptable for some of your audience.? However, there will be other audience members who learn more easily from charts or graphs.

The best way to help each of these audience members with different ways of learning is to mix up your slides with words on some charts and graphs and charts on others.? You may also want to put words and charts/graphs on the same slide.

While it’s a technical presentation, remember that representation also means making content accessible. Avoid using excessive jargon, abbreviations, or acronyms without explanation to ensure everyone follows along.

If you must use jargon, abbreviations, or acronyms, you may consider distributing a handout sheet with these defined before your presentation.

So, regarding data representation in technical presentation slides, you should focus on accurate and objective representation of your data, consistency in visual and content representation, and inclusivity and accessibility in representation.

By focusing on these areas of your technical presentation, you can create slides that are accurate, consistent, and accessible to all members of the audience, enhancing both clarity and engagement.

Remember, it’s all about them, not about you.? Create, practice, and deliver your technical presentation with only the audience in mind?

If you do this, your presentation will be successful!

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Call to Action

• Ensure that the data presented in your technical presentations are accurate and not altered to create a misleading narrative?
• Use consistent design elements like color schemes, fonts, and formatting.
• Use patterns, labels, or high-contrast color schemes to ensure that your slides are understandable to everyone

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"Data are just summaries of thousands of stories – tell a few of those stories to help make the data meaningful."? -? Chip and Dan Heath, best-selling authors of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

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Being a confident, engaging, and effective technical speaker is a vital personal and professional asset.? With more than 40 years of engineering experience and more than 30 years of award-winning public speaking experience, I can help you reduce your presentation preparatory time by 50%, overcome your fear of public speaking and be completely at ease, deliver your presentations effectively, develop your personal presence with your audience; and apply an innovative way to handle audience questions deftly.

Working closely with you, I provide a customized protocol employing the critical skills and tools you need to create, practice, and deliver excellent technical speeches and presentations.? Let's connect and explore how I can help you become the exceptional speaker you were meant to be.? Please reach out to me at [email protected] or 703-509-4424 for a complimentary consultation.? Schedule a meeting with me at calendly.com/frankdibartolomeospeaks.

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Read Frank DiBartolomeo's Book Speak Well and Prosper: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Better Presentations