The Growing Importance of Data Storytelling

There is no question that our world has become increasingly data-driven. While not everyone is involved in data collection, analysis, visualization, or storytelling, we are all becoming more dependent on data to guide, inform, and justify our work. Thus, we should embrace the use of data to advance our work in the same ways that we have grown accustomed to relying on data-driven devices like smartphones, fitness trackers, and global positioning system (GPS) navigation in our daily lives.   

In this blog post, park planner Clement Lau explains the importance of data visualization and storytelling, with a focus on parks and recreation. For good examples of data visualization, he suggests that readers take a look at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)’s Park Pulse Surveys and how the survey results are presented and summarized in infographics, charts, etc. Another example is how the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) presents the key findings of its 2016 and 2022 Parks Needs Assessments in maps, graphs, and infographics in fact sheets, executive summaries, and final reports.

We often hear the expression that “numbers speak for themselves,” but this is not necessarily true. Lau points out that it really takes time, effort and skills to make sense of, present and communicate insights from data. For more information, please read the source article.