In local government, and especially within Public Works, we often struggle to “toot our own horns”. Whether due to lack of time, resources, or effective communication skills, this is clearly a missed opportunity and could become a liability in the future.
At the same time, we’re in the midst of a global trend where citizens are demanding transparency, accountability, and pathways to participation from government agencies. Our attempts to accommodate these requests are creating more demands on our already overburdened staff and forcing communication without necessarily having a clear strategy for doing so- think of that Facebook page that you make the interns keep updated.
There is a better way to address both of these challenges. While it will require a little upfront effort, it will save significant time and possible headaches in the long run.
So, what is this silver bullet?? DATA! Yes! All the engineers out there will love to hear that the answer to the challenges above is data. BE CAREFUL THOUGH, in the age of transparency we must ask ourselves, “Is dumping data on a website really transparent and inclusive?”
Most people in our communities aren’t data geeks or engineers, nor do they have the time to sift through charts, reports, meeting agendas, and notes. Just because you make data available doesn’t mean it’s actually accessible. You need to turn your data into a story and that story can help you highlight your successes. You may even discover that your community is well on its way to a more sustainable future.
There’s a story in those data points.
As local government staff and officials, we collect tremendous amounts of data. From miles of bike lanes and storm drains to tons of recyclables and million gallons of wastewater, public works staff is very familiar with data collection.
Most people in our communities, however, are not immersed in the intricacies of our daily work -- they just know they want clean air for their kids to breathe, urban spaces that are safe for families to enjoy, and easy access to transportation options.
Does that mean all the quantitative data -- and the effort that goes into collecting it -- is for naught? On the contrary, we just need better tools to turn that data into a compelling story.
Here are some simple guidelines that can help you effectively tell your story with data whether it is for a presentation, your website or social media pages, or a brochure or flyer that you are sending out to the community.
Why is this Important?
How to Do It
Resources
Not sure how to communicate at a 6th grade level? Check out these example sites.
Why is this Important?
How to Do It
Resources
There are lots of online resources available now to help you develop logos, icons, and infographics. Here are a few that I use:
Put Data into Context
Why is this Important?
Data can only tell an effective story when we provide context and comparisons. A single data point on its own tells us very little.How to Do It
Make sure you have more than one year of data and where possible data from other communities or the state or national average to compare with.Resources
Example of Applying Context and Comparison to Data *Okay* Our Recycling Rate is 42%- provided data, but no context or comparison
**Good** Our Recycling Rate this year is 42%, three years ago, it was 37%- provided data, and self-comparison, no context
***Great*** Our Recycling Rate this year is 42%, three years ago, it was 37%. The US national average recycling rate is 34%- provided data, self-comparison, and context
Why is this Important?
How to Do It
Identify easy actions for your community members to take that might help improve your outcomes. Sticking with the recycling example, you could ask them to try composting or provide them additional guidance on what can be recycled and challenge them to improve their own recycling rates.Resources
The culmination of these steps is the framework for a great story that can promote your successes to the public and your elected officials, track progress on your metrics and goals, and engage your community members. Here is a view of the framework in another way.
Planning. Tracking. Reporting. Engaging. Celebrating. All under one roof.
Once you have pulled together your data, you may want to utilize an online dashboard to show it off. Local governments across the US and Canada are using dashboards- either developed in-house or working with a consultant- to track and report progress; conduct planning exercises; collect feedback; and drive the target audience to take desired actions.
That last part is critical when it comes to community sustainability where your job isn’t just to inform people. It’s to get them to be part of the solution. And by “them,” we mean all walks of life not just the usual suspects. To that end the data must be accessible and actionable.
Marrying the story telling framework outlined above with an online engagement tool can be a win-win for any organization. If you want to learn more about how Nashua, NH successfully did this, be sure to check out our session at PWX on Monday, Aug 28 from 9:45 AM to 11:00 AM.