5 Examples of Effectively Communicating Complex Data
Data is the backbone of modern businesses and institutions, but it can be challenging to communicate effectively, especially when it is complex or technical. If communicated in the wrong way, complex data can be misunderstood, ignored or even misused, resulting in significant negative consequences.
To avoid these pitfalls, organizations must find ways to translate complex data into meaningful and actionable insights. Here are five examples of organizations that have effectively communicated complex data.
1. The New York Times’s Elections Pages
The New York Times’s Elections Pages are an excellent example of effectively communicating complex data. During the 2020 US presidential elections, the pages presented the results of the primaries and general elections through interactive data visualizations, demonstrating the changing political landscape in an engaging and meaningful way.
The visualizations allowed readers to explore candidate approval rates, demographic voting patterns, and election forecasts, all while being intuitive and visually appealing.
2. Boston Children’s Hospital’s Dashboard
Boston Children’s Hospital’s Dashboard is a classic example of how data visualization can be an effective tool for communicating complex data in the health care industry.
The dashboard provides up-to-date information on the hospital’s occupancy rate, patient outcomes, and length of stay, helping doctors and administrators make timely decisions about resource allocation. The dashboard is easy to understand, allowing medical professionals to quickly access the insights they need, improving patient care.
3. BIDMC’s Employee COVID-19 Status Dashboard
During the COVID-19 pandemic, BIDMC’s Employee COVID-19 Status Dashboard conveyed vital information about the hospital’s workforce during a turbulent time. The dashboard included staff testing statuses, demographic information, and geographic segmentation.
The data was presented in a clear, concise, and interactive way, providing up-to-date information to employees and administrators, allowing them to make informed decisions about operations and care.
4. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Tracker
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Tracker is a shining example of effective communication of complex data. The tracker presents an immense amount of data related to global sustainable development in an easy-to-navigate, visually engaging design.
The platform includes interactive maps, charts, and visualizations tracking the progress made towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the socioeconomic and environmental challenges we face as humanity. Through this platform, the complex data becomes accessible and transparent, empowering citizens to engage in global development issues.
5. The Economist’s “Daily Chart”
Economist’s “Daily Chart” is an excellent example of how effective data communication is not limited to flashy data visualizations. The publication’s daily chart features articles that are concise, relevant, and accessible, despite the complexities of the underlying data.
For example, a chart discussing global migration and refugee data may include interactive charts and maps, but the accompanying text provides context and analysis to help laypeople understand the data’s significance. This approach demonstrates the importance of not only presenting complex data but also providing context and analysis to aid in interpretation.
Conclusion
Effectively communicating complex data is crucial for decision-making, operations and public engagement in modern institutions. These five examples demonstrate how harnessing visualizations, dashboards, and insightful analysis can elevate complex data communication from mere information dissemination to meaningful and actionable insights. By following these examples, organizations can better engage with their audiences and stakeholders, and ultimately improve their decision-making capabilities.
