Telling Your Data Story: Data Storytelling for Data Management

by Scott Taylor

The Data Whisperer's practical guide to explaining and understanding the strategic value of data management. The need for data management is everywhere across your company. The value of every digitally transformative customer-facing initiative, every data science and analytics-based project, every as-a-service offering, every foray into e-commerce, and every enterprise software implementation is inextricably linked to the successful output of data management efforts. Although it is a simple function of garbage in garbage out, that slogan rarely drives any sustainable executive action. We need to tell a better data story. Data Storytelling is probably the hottest non-technical trend in the technology-related space. But it does not directly support data management because it is focused on analytics or telling stories with data. So, it is time to expand the realm of Data Storytelling to recognize the role of data management by telling stories about data. Learn how to secure stakeholder involvement and executive commitment to fund and support data management as a systematic, consistent, fundamental part of your business. This book is Data management leaders trying to explain your value to C-Level and business stakeholders. As a practitioner, you may already know how to fix your data, but your business leaders ignore your advice. When you explain data management to the business, they may nod "yes" on the outside, but they nod off on the inside. Business stakeholders trying to comprehend why data management is important. Many business people may be frightened, threatened, intimidated, or at the very least confused and bewildered by the techno-babble often associated with data-related conversations. If you want to know more about why data management needs to be a strategic imperative in your organization, you'll learn it here in simple terms. Data scientists looking to understand better how you connect to "The Business." A recurring struggle I hear from data scientists is the need to get "closer to business." If you are a data scientist, then you need to understand your company's data story. The more you can align your work to the core value your company delivers, the more successful you will be. This book will help you discover the essence of why data brings value to your business. Anyone interested in understanding the business value of data management. I offer simple explanations about why data management is essential for your organization. Without going deep into technical concepts and processes, I focus on the business-related outputs. I share ways you can think about what foundational data does. Its importance is vital for the future of your enterprise. Since this is a book about telling data stories, I share it through stories divided into five My data story. Why I know what I know and why you should listen to me. Everyone's data story. A collection of classic, foundational data situations relevant to all enterprises. Framing your data story. A set of simple frameworks about data value. Selling your data story. Tips on creating a compelling narrative. Building your data story.

Genres: Business

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2020

About the author

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Reviews

[Christina Stathopoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a focus on data management, this is a 5-star read. With over 25 years of experience in the field and experience across many industries, the author Scott Taylor is an expert in the field. This book is a guide to data management, and most importantly selling the value of data management to your organization. We are usually so focused on data storytelling for analytics (stories WITH data) that we disregard the importance of storytelling for data management (stories ABOUT data). It helps you understand the foundations - you don't have analytics, BI or machine learning if you don't have solid data management first. He also covers some fairly easy to remember groupings like his 3 phases of digital transformation, 4Cs of data structure and 8 'ates of using data. The book finalizes with some anonymized client situations from his own experience.

[Harold Geller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling, and accessible read! This is a clear and articulate story that gives people the vocabulary and frameworks to develop their data stories. Provides the language, methods and simplicity to make the case for comprehensive data management programs to management, peers and industries. Scott Taylor has written this clearly, authoritatively and with relevant experience!

[Tats · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book falls short of expectations. The first 40 pages focus largely on outlining what the book is not about, rather than setting a clear, engaging direction. The first half tends to be quite general and descriptive, with limited concrete examples and a lack of insight into how companies actually function. In the second half, the concepts introduced are fairly basic and presented without much added depth or originality. The examples in the final part, while potentially interesting, are too brief and lack the detail needed to be truly informative. Overall, the book feels underdeveloped and offers few takeaways for readers looking for practical or thought-provoking content.

[Intriguingfh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Data Management MDM and How to Sell it in both in deed and concept

Scott Taylor is a maestro at this, why would you not take the short time to dip-in and take a gander if you are serious about making the narrative right for data management for you, your team and the business or organisation you work for.

It leaves you wanting more but part of the art is precision and concise style. Recommended by me as a Solution Architecture and Programme Director. Hits the spot, one request a public sector case study because if anyone needs this they do!

[Lubos Frco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow start, short ending

First half of the book was about the ways data can go wrong from usual reasons. I just skimmed thru that part as there was nothing new for me.
Second half of the book was better. I liked the part talking about how to connect data management strategy to company strategy. Then there were many good tips to improve communication strategy. It wasn't something original, but well explained and it inspired me to think about those further.
At the end of the book the real examples were very described very briefly. I would appreciate more details there.

[Michelle Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and compact explanation on telling your corporate business story.

Scott Taylor writes an insightful and concise book on the challenges of data management. He makes a compelling argument for the central role that data plays in every facet of an organization. Lots of practical tips as well.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really important book if you need to secure support for your data management program.
There are so many ways to fail to gain support. Read this and avoid those mistakes.