Identifying what is wrong with non-financial or sustainable data is clear to many who use the data as well as to those who supply it. There are three aspects to the data that continue to challenge; gathering it, standardisation and dissemination. To effectively do all three, it is imperative to understand how the data will be used and by whom. Thus, the idea of Data Sense, which was addressed in a previous blog. In summary, Data Sense is using data in a smarter manner that can be used and judged by nearly all. It is akin to ‘common sense’ or ‘sound practical judgment’ concerning everyday matters, or a basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge that is shared by ("common to") nearly all people. Data sense is not a new idea in many subjects, but here it specifically refers to the need for smart data flows of non-financial data (NFD) –> smart data –> data sense.” Trusted data flows transparently from supplier to user.
The team at World Wide Generation (WWG) has derived an easy and transparent Data Sense framework/approach, using innovative technology, to gather the data, standardise it against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to disseminate it equally using clear and clever visualisation, to all who would use it in decision making. The collection takes place based on internationally recognised standards, frameworks or guidelines, which have been developed within and without the United Nations. Yet, questions still remain. Do each of these standard-setting bodies create their own questions, or is it a self-informing network of questions informing like-minded questions, informing other like-minded questions – a never-ending feed-back-loop? Indeed, when these standard setters collect data, have they simply created their own bespoke surveys for their own frameworks?
One of the first steps in WWG’s process is to review those organisations which are working on data gathering and standardisation. Indeed, they often seem to be positioning themselves primarily as data analytical solutions. Each of them (with few exceptions) uses primary imagery that focus on Data Dashboard UX. i.e. screenshots of laptops with charts. Which demonstrates there is strong interest in using the data but a lack of activity around collecting trusted and comparable data in a timely manner.
One of the things that sets WWG apart is the extensive consultation over the past 3 years with companies from all sizes and sectors has highlighted the need to enable companies to add a narrative to their data. The numbers alone do not provide the context; this is one of the main reasons why companies are reticent to report on a wider range of data points, both good and bad. When data is just reduced to a score there is a perception that it results in a massive simplification to a vastly complicated issue.
Our work is based on both data users and suppliers. We continue to look at enhancements that allow users to embed context with the data. Not only on the capture side with comments and evidence but increasingly on the SDG Outputs and even on other standard provider's scores. This adds a degree of confidence to the data and a strong element of transparency. How do we strike a balance between standardisation for comparability (Data Sense) while also allowing the addition of a narrative, not for narrative's sake, but for transparency around complexity and evolution of it?
WWG providing trusted data, appeals by providing the story telling context for existing standard scores. Moving from the simple standard scores to giving data providers publishing capabilities with a right of reply to all other standards. Thus, moving from pure data gathering to dissemination in a transparent, trusted and concise way.
In order to effectively deliver the SDGs, it is necessary to understand what is currently being done and how far is still to go, all within a context. Dissemination with clear visualisation will make it easy to understand and provide both. Essentially allowing people to focus on the positives, rewarding initiatives and effort. Dissemination of the data via dashboards on their own are often useless as they are just mirroring raw data where development-based design thinks to itself that more is good. Our approach is different, one where good data reporting/visualisation is always about using the data to tell a story.
Good Data leads to Good storytelling and both require good context:
“An editorial approach to visualization design requires us to take responsibility to filter out the noise from the signals, identifying the most valuable, most striking or most relevant dimensions of the subject matter in question.” – Andy Kirk
“To find signals in data, we must learn to reduce the noise - not just the noise that resides in the data, but also the noise that resides in us. It is nearly impossible for noisy minds to perceive anything but noise in data.” – Stephen Few
“Learn data, and you can tell stories that more people don’t even know about yet but are eager to hear.” - Nathan Yau
And a favourite quote for telling stories with data:
“Most of us need to listen to the music to understand how beautiful it is. But often that’s how we present statistics: we just show the notes, we don’t play the music.” - Hans Rosling
The Age of Context - With Big Data, Context is a Big Issue!
"Big Data has limited value if not paired with its younger and more intelligent sibling, Context. When looking at data naked numbers can mean anything, without the layers of context that explain who stated the data, what type of data is it, when and where it was stated, what else was going on in the world when this data was stated, and so forth. Clearly, data and knowledge are not the same thing.” - WIRED
On the investor side of things, analysts may have an obsession with raw data, more granular data etc but maybe part of the problem here is there has been too much of a dependency. The world’s biggest challenges are complex and interconnected, but often companies are excluded on the basis of numbers where they are perceived to do no good. As a client mentioned, one of the big issues to unlock investment is the need to overcome this exclusion and the only chance they have to do that is by allowing them to tell the stories, not only around and with their data but with their initiatives, policies and philosophy.
Investors say they want better data, so we empower companies to provide the context and stories to give them the confidence and incentives to share trusted data. This not only informs their own stories but along with the increased transparency and standardisation, it empowers investors with greater understanding and confidence in their own models to better understand and then form their own narrative.
WWG has a unique solution to the challenges of Sustainability/ESG data, of collection, standardisation and dissemination addressing the needs of companies and investors. By giving strong visualisation to Data Sense, sense with stories, allowing the data to be used more comprehensively in various ways, including supporting and adding knowledge to both business and investment strategy. With the addition of empowerment of the data for companies, a more holistic view of the company can be established and deployed confidently in data user models.
@UNGC #TenPrinciples #SDGs @Wired @flowingdata @HansRosling @visualisingdata @perceptualedge