Perspectives & Data Analysis

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Whether you are requesting or conducting data analysis, it is important to note who or what is collecting the data. 

• Will a platform automatically log data or will data be manually reported?
• Will the means of data collection influence perspectives of the data?
• Does the platform of software have capacity to process larger datasets?

It is important to consider the 'point' element of perspectives when analyzing data.

• Do the data points requested accurately reflect the perspective of the subjects?
• If collecting data on confident or sensitive issues (e.g. medical information), are you taking steps to protect the data points and assure stakeholders accordingly.

Data analysts and scientists are also tasked with storytelling and data visualization after data analysis is complete. It is worthwhile to ask who will be reviewing the results and to deliver presentations with that in mind.

• What departments are consumers of this data analysis: marketing, sales, operations, customer service, product management, engineering, etc?
• What levels of responsibility or experience do the consumers have: entry-level, associate, mid-level, managerial, or executive?
• Will there be members of the audience who are external to the organization?

Consider the stakeholders' perspectives on data being collected, analyzed, and reported. 

• Do you have internal or external stakeholders? Both?
• Do different industries have perspectives on the data?
• Do different roles have perspectives on the data: customer, consumer, government, non-profits, communities?
• If solving a 'wicked problem', what is the array of stakeholders' perspectives?