Something for the Weekend - Data is the New Oil

Just a very quick one this week... I came across a fantastic TED talk last week by David McCandless called 'the beauty of data visualization'.

McCandless shares some great examples (such as the 'billion-dollar-a-gram') of how to bring large and meaningless data to life visually. Data is rapidly increasing in value across organisations, gathering more data and working with it smarter nods at trend. Volumes and complexity of data won't be decreasing any time soon and those who can demystify and tap into it stand to carve a niche.

Click here to watch the talk

I'm not sure that data visualisation is generally thought of to be a typical BA skill - but we all know how hard it can be to communicate the complex to the uninitiated. Some great thoughts and ideas here to make your messages more impactful.

Something for the Weekend - The Back of the Napkin

The European Business Analysis Conference was great. Lots of inspirational material, which I'll no doubt share over the next few months.

But I thought that I would start with the most fun thing! Penny Pullan gave a fantastic presentation on the role of the BA in Creativity, Engagement and Clarity - one of the many aspects covered was techniques for drawing.

Those of you who've worked with me closely will know two things about me; firstly that I'm a visual thinker - I simply can't resist filling an empty whiteboard. And secondly, that both my handwriting and drawing could do with some work - a sometimes messy combination!

The old cliche that a picture paints a thousand words is very true and I think it's an important tool for our roles in group facilitation to be able to bring concepts to life as clearly as possible. Two things that might help;

• Penny recommend a book (which I've ordered today), it's called The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures (Dan Roam).
• She's also collaborated with artist Venessa Randle and offering some free material at http://www.graphicsmadeeasy.co.uk/

Simple tips to make your white boarding easier, clearer and more impressive.

Sources and Credit
Penny of course - http://www.makingprojectswork.co.uk/

Penny and Vanessa's work at http://www.graphicsmadeeasy.co.uk/
European Business Analysis Conference http://www.irmuk.co.uk/ba2010/