Being data driven
The steps behind data-driven thinking
The steps behind data-driven thinking
5 minutes
Data-driven thinking isn’t about analysis for the sake of it. It’s a way to work through decisions with more structure, evidence and fewer assumptions.
1
Get clear on the problem
Start by being specific about what you’re trying to understand or decide.
Ask:
• What’s the actual issue here?
• Where are we lacking clarity?
• What decision needs to come out of this?
If the problem is vague, the data won’t help.
Ask:
• What’s the actual issue here?
• Where are we lacking clarity?
• What decision needs to come out of this?
If the problem is vague, the data won’t help.
2
Decide what you need to know
Before jumping into data, be clear on what information would actually help.
Ask:
• What questions do we need answered?
• What would give us confidence to move forward?
This keeps you focused on what matters, not everything available.
Ask:
• What questions do we need answered?
• What would give us confidence to move forward?
This keeps you focused on what matters, not everything available.
3
Gather the right inputs
Pull together a mix of:
• Data and trends
• Team or customer feedback
• What’s happening operationally
Don’t rely on one source, stronger decisions come from combining inputs.
• Data and trends
• Team or customer feedback
• What’s happening operationally
Don’t rely on one source, stronger decisions come from combining inputs.
4
Look for patterns, not just points
Step back and sense-check what you’re seeing.
Ask:
• What’s consistent here?
• What’s changed?
• Is this a pattern or a one-off?
Avoid overreacting to isolated data or data that isn’t of statistical significance.
Ask:
• What’s consistent here?
• What’s changed?
• Is this a pattern or a one-off?
Avoid overreacting to isolated data or data that isn’t of statistical significance.
5
Make sense of it
Turn what you’ve gathered into a useful insight or story.
Ask:
• What is this telling us?
• What might be driving this?
• What does it mean for us?
Ask:
• What is this telling us?
• What might be driving this?
• What does it mean for us?
6
Decide what to do
Use what you’ve learned to take action.
Ask:
• What’s the best next move based on this?
• Where do we focus?
Ask:
• What’s the best next move based on this?
• Where do we focus?
7
Assess what worked and what needs adjusting
After taking action or making a decision, assess if that course of action has made a difference.
Ask:
• What happened?
• Did it work?
• What do we need to change?
This is how data-driven thinking improves decisions over time.
Ask:
• What happened?
• Did it work?
• What do we need to change?
This is how data-driven thinking improves decisions over time.
by
Hellomonday