As the 12th largest tech sector in the U.S. with more than 235,000 working the field, Houston generates $28.1 billion to the region’s GDP, according to a recent report by the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Exponential. All areas of industry from life sciences and energy to industrials and manufacturing require more digital technology talent now and for the foreseeable future.

This activity has spurred demand for a relatively new role: data decision maker. The data decision maker, and related roles, act as a bridge between the well-established data analysts and organizational and departmental leaders so that the right questions can be asked, accurate answers provided and best decisions made.

Glasscock School’s new Data Storytelling and Decision Making course teaches data techs, as well as non-data savvy leaders the framework for developing, implementing and presenting data-driven decision processes. This role and these skills connect the dots between all the data points to become a relevant decision making tool that leadership can confidently employ. Data storytelling helps decision makers refine problem statement, identify objectives, choose and utilize the right data and relate the information in a usable and relevant format designed to help leaders make informed decisions. Example: the head of the radiology department for a large medical institution asks the data department how many patients wait more than an hour for an X-ray? They receive accurate data points with the numbers of patients. However, this situation does not accurately state the true question, does not provide the critical data to improve the situation of patients waiting more than an hour for their X-ray or provide information to identify and correct issues. With data-storytelling knowledge, the correct question(s) can be asked:

“What is the average wait for patients to receive X-rays? Is that within expected norms? If not, which steps are taking longer than anticipated? How can we improve the process to lessen the time patients wait for results?” Without the connected data points, how long does it take to process the order, what is wait time to have X-ray administered, how long does it take to process X-rays and deliver results to the patients?”

Storytelling and Decision Making will help you then determine what data, as well as analysis approaches (bar charts, decision trees, etc.) are relevant and how to employ them to make measurable decisions. Data points do not stand alone. They are a point along a continuum. It is vital to understand the various points and their relationship so you can make well informed decision. Data storytelling helps build that story line, helping organization not just identify problems, but also analyze and mitigate risks, develop solutions and project outcomes.

In my discussions with business leaders of both large and small organizations, I often hear the need for better data understanding. To those without a data background, data can be a foreign language, one that is difficult to understand, manage and utilize. But, they also recognize it is critical and learning to interpret it is vital to their business success. Data storytelling skills can alleviate fear of data analytics inexperience and put data in a manageable and understandable framework for business decision makers of all skill levels. Whether your data is simple social media customer ratings or complex manufacturing systems output, data storytelling can help you make the information understandable, relatable and impactful to your business.

If you feel your business could benefit from a fuller understanding and utilization of data, we have a full range of data courses from a five-course Advanced Decision Analytics to our new Python, Creativity, and Machine Learning for Digital Innovation Certificate to Diverse Applications of Blockchain Technologies. My team and I are available to help you determine how Rice’s computer and data science education can help your businesses and develop talent. Custom corporate programs as well as general registration courses are available to help you achieve your desired results.

About the Author

Mary Lynn Fernau brings more than 25 years’ experience building mutually-beneficial partnerships among corporations, higher education and government. As director of executive and international programs, Ms. Fernau is working with these groups to identify Houston’s workforce needs and develop actionable educational and training resources for Houston’s next-generation leaders. Prior to joining the Glasscock School, she led the external relations and communication efforts for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, building the #1 Entrepreneurship MBA program in the U.S. and the World’s Richest and Largest Business Plan Competition, while fostering partnerships and expanding Houston’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Ms. Fernau shares that entrepreneurial spirit founding a strategy and marketing consultancy for clients Korn/Ferry International, AIG, Texas Children’s Hospital and Continental Airlines. She also developed a child safety product, Whose Shoes ID, selling half a million units and igniting a national Child ID campaign featured in Parents Magazine, Dr. Phil, CBS Morning News and The View and adopted into evacuation policies for the cities of Houston and New York.