Effective communication drives PACE

Throughout the stages 0f PACE, stakeholders can offer feedback, pose questions, or ask for clarification. Being able to communicate is key; at every point in a project’s life cycle, you will need to be able to share obstacles and results, and provide necessary information to guide decision-making. Communication drvies each stage of PACE, from collecting data to constructing models to sharing results. As a data professional, you will need a combination of strong communication skills and the technical skills you’re learning to succeed in the data career space. In this reading, you will learn some tips for effective communication you can apply throughout the stages of PACE. You will also discover some best practices for sharing your finding through presentations that you can use in the future.

Seven tips for effective communication

Over the course of a typical work day, you will interact with stakeholders in a variety of ways. Some of your interactions will be through meetings and one-on-one conversations, and even formal presentations. Each interaction requires an indivisualised approach to ensure that your audience understands what you are trying to communicate. The following seven tips can help guide your communication, no matter what form it taskes or what stage of PACE your project is in:

1. Speak the language of your audience

Identify the needs of your audience. It’s important to know the objectives of the person you are communicating with. Focusing on their needs allows you to gain insight and assess how technical the conversation sould be. Consider the following questions:

  • why has this person contacted you?

  • what does your stake holder want from this interaction?

  • what’s important to them, their team, or their organisation?

In your role as a data professional, you will interact with a variety of stakeholders. Determine what they know, and what might go beyound their level of involvement in a project.

  • Break down technical concpets into simpler terms.

  • Use shorter sentences so main ideas are easier to understand and remember.

  • Use direct language and minimise embellishments or unnecessary detail.

  • Pay attention to diverse backgrounds and respect the lived experiences of others.

Pro tip: Avoid jargon, acronyms, and technical “buzzwords” that could lead to confusion.

2. Invite questions and welcome feedback

Everyone can use feedback-whether it is positive reinforcement or areas for improvement. When you are focused on the details of a task, It’s possible to overlook something. Another person’s feedback offers you a great way to gather insights for your personal growth and proffesional excellence. By accepting the challenge that feedback and questions present, you will strengthen your own skills and help the overall project.

  • Merge your passion for finding solutions with the goals of the project.

  • Continue to strive for greater understanding of the results.

  • Elicit feedback and questions to improve communication about your projects.

  • Consider opportunities to reflect on your communication skills.

Pro tip: Analyse feedback. It is valid? Does the person have a complete understanding of the goals of the project or data analytical process? If not, set up an additional meeting to help clarify.

3. Be the connection to the data

You are your team’s direct connection to the insights your data offers. Your goal is to help other stakeholders understand the process and how it addresses their needs. When everyone understands the process, communication can be highly effective.

  • Focus on the objectives to help others better understand your data process.

  • Tell the story of the data with a compelling and cohesive narrative.

  • Respond to questions in a timely manner.

  • Demonstrate your value to the team.

  • Find opportunities to address stakeholder questions.

Pro tip: Continue to proactively identify ways the data and tools you have access to can address the objectives of your team and drive new insights.

4. Let your visualizations help tell the story

Visualizations are one of the best ways to communicate ideas, especially when dealing with big data. Visual references help bring to life the details inside your data. Graphs, charts, and infographics can promote general understanding. Later you will explore Tableau, a visualization tool that you can use to create compelling visuals from data.

  • Be sure that your visuals tell the story within the data.

  • Design visualizations for inclusivity.

  • Use labels and text to clarify, not clutter.

  • Use fonts that are easy to read.

  • Use high contrast, shading, and other customizations to communicate your messages clearly.

  • Offer handouts, slides, and other material in accessible formats.

Pro tip: Keep visualizations simple. When deciding what to include in a presentation, less is more.