Data Dive: From Numbers to Next Steps

Move through a disciplined data inquiry from a real question to evidence, interpretation, a proportionate decision and a monitorable next action.

• Question: decide what you need to know — Start with the learning or decision question before opening the dashboard.
• Evidence: choose what can answer the question — Select evidence because it contributes to the question, not because it is easy to export.
• Interpretation: describe before you explain — Separate what the evidence shows from the story you are tempted to tell about why it happened.
• Decision: match confidence to consequence — Make a decision that is no larger or more certain than the evidence warrants.
• Action: make the next move learnable — Turn the decision into an action with an owner, review point and evidence for continuing, adapting or stopping.