June 2022 | V1

The Data Storytelling Cheat Sheet https://github.com/loberascher/Data-storytelling-cheat-sheet

Facts
Facts Structure Process
Data storytelling is not about telling fairy tales. It’s
Understand the business need. What should
Data storytelling translates data into value.
 More than a visualization or presentation of data. change after finalizing the project?
 A structured form (tool) of data communication. Write it down as accurate as possible.
 Getting one key message across. Explore the data.
Give transparency Get to know your stakeholders.*
 It’s the red thread within the data analysis. Numbers
are put into context. on the data, source
VALUE and analysis process. Analyse the data and choose the most relevant
 Communicating the results in an understandable key message from your generated insights.
language to motivate the stakeholder to act (i.e. make Take the stakeholder
decisions).
on a data journey. Create your target-oriented story around this
Why apply storytelling to your data project? 1 - Introduce key message. Keep in mind the narrative
(Beginning) structure.
 Our brain prefers stories over plain data. (Dykes, 2016)
2 - dive-deep into the
 Stories trigger our emotional response and foster Be aware that your story is subjective. Your
Create non-misleading, well- data (Middle) and
understanding for complex topics. audience is not yourself. Don’t show your
labelled and simple visuals 3 - conclude (End).
 The brain can better process and remember figures if perspective but what the stakeholder needs.
packed within a story. around your story.
Remind yourself of your goal. Read your notes.
When are data stories recommended? Create the data journey in a linear sequence of What should your analysis trigger.
actions.
 Data insights are complex, disruptive and non-intuitive. Support your story message with a simple (!)
visualization. Keep in mind good labelling,
How does it work? adding e.g. legends, a glossary and annotations.

Data insights are turned into action = stakeholders make Ask yourself questions.*
decisions.

Collect feedback from colleagues and

Data Analysis Results Value stakeholders.
A good basis is Exploring Insights Only once action Stay inspired and up-to-date to constantly
essential: the data creation upon the results
improve yourself.*
Garbage in- is taken, value is
(Dykes, 2019)
Garbage out created!
*see details on the next page

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 June 2022 | V1
The Data Storytelling Cheat Sheet https://github.com/loberascher/Data-storytelling-cheat-sheet

Parties Checklist Get inspired

Need of the Does my story answer the business Data story example.
target group? question?
Do I know my stakeholders to satisfy their
Result business needs and data interests?
Know your stakeholder.

Detail depth Data literacy

interests Are the results understandable, target-
oriented and circle around one key
Tools choice message?
C-level Briefing and
(easy vs. more Does my story trigger a call to action?
(high level) Feedback
sophisticated)
Is the communication language simple (e.g.
Functional Presentation no technical explanations)?
Simple
departments (f2f, video, Does the data story follow a linear
language
(in-depth) written)
sequence? (Knaflic, 2015)
All others (34) = 33% of dollars claimed, 41% of returns

Are the numbers put into context (e.g.

high/low values are good/bad)? Inspiration.
The “Art & Science” mind of a data storyteller. Are the visualizations simple and familiar?
Websites.
Do the graphics contain enough
* informationisbeautiful.net
Data understanding・IT skills (Analytical skills) annotations, comments, etc. so that the * chartr.co
visuals speak for themselves?
Methodical know-how ・Business understanding
Is the analysis process transparent and are Podcasts.
Strategic management・ Project management * storytellingwithdata.com
the data sources shown?
Scientific disciplines (behavioural economics,
learning theory, decision theory,..) Related fields.
* Data journalism. Eg. nytimes.com “theUpshot”.
Remember the 5 W’s.
Creative ・Curious・Resilient ・ Patient Community.
Teamplayer ・Focused ・ Critical thinker  Who are your stakeholders? * datastudio.google.com
Communicative ・Rhetorically skilled ・Self-  What happened (results)? * public.tableau.com
confident ・Visual thinker  Why did it happen (background information,
Books.
explanation)? * Storytelling with data (Knaflic, 2015)
Supportive, open-minded company culture.  When did it happen (linear sequence)? * The data storytelling workbook. (Feigenbaum, A., &
 Where did you retrieve your data from? Alamalhodaei, A. 2020)

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