There is a fascinating development on the way: the availability of all kinds of data, especially open data and the need to serve democratic needs together will create a pressure, stronger than ever, to offer ways of visualizing data so that it serves those in need to see it, understand it and prepare it for their own relevant purposes. With the present data explosion this is becoming a human rights matter. Inspiring views are opening!
Thoughtful and timely article, Amy. We have enjoyed learning the nuances of measurement in the overcrowded data world from social media & metrics guru Beth Kanter, and particularly appreciate the value of infographics to help tell stories. Sharing data w/peers in the nonprofit world has been enlightening, and we will continue networking to better inform the field as well as to engage individuals and organizations, promote democracy, and create community change.
I completely agree! The fact that the UN declared access to the Internet a human right only further supports your point that sharing data and measuring collective impact will not just be mechanisms for organizations to gain funding and tell the story of their work but also actions called for by global citizens fighting equally hard for a better world.
Great stuff. This is a slightly different point but related: I am seeing a trend towards industry vertical partnerships - especially in relation to corporate sponsors. So, for example, if many organizations that deal with poverty team together to collect data and maximize outreach, they are more likely to create a compelling sponsorship package for the corporates who can then reach a much larger audience and see a much higher ROI via the aggregated metrics and data. Ahh, let’s all just play nicely together! win win win!
COMMENTS
BY Gote Nyman
ON January 25, 2012 12:36 PM
There is a fascinating development on the way: the availability of all kinds of data, especially open data and the need to serve democratic needs together will create a pressure, stronger than ever, to offer ways of visualizing data so that it serves those in need to see it, understand it and prepare it for their own relevant purposes. With the present data explosion this is becoming a human rights matter. Inspiring views are opening!
BY Debbie Ford-Scriba
ON January 25, 2012 01:47 PM
Thoughtful and timely article, Amy. We have enjoyed learning the nuances of measurement in the overcrowded data world from social media & metrics guru Beth Kanter, and particularly appreciate the value of infographics to help tell stories. Sharing data w/peers in the nonprofit world has been enlightening, and we will continue networking to better inform the field as well as to engage individuals and organizations, promote democracy, and create community change.
BY Amy Sample Ward
ON January 26, 2012 06:50 AM
Hi Gote-
I completely agree! The fact that the UN declared access to the Internet a human right only further supports your point that sharing data and measuring collective impact will not just be mechanisms for organizations to gain funding and tell the story of their work but also actions called for by global citizens fighting equally hard for a better world.
For reference:
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/06/internet-a-human-right/
BY Amy Sample Ward
ON January 26, 2012 07:01 AM
Here’s another great example of the way data can really power us towards success and impact: http://www.waterforpeople.org/programs/field-level-operations-watch.html
BY Charlotte Radeaemekers
ON January 26, 2012 09:34 AM
Great stuff. This is a slightly different point but related: I am seeing a trend towards industry vertical partnerships - especially in relation to corporate sponsors. So, for example, if many organizations that deal with poverty team together to collect data and maximize outreach, they are more likely to create a compelling sponsorship package for the corporates who can then reach a much larger audience and see a much higher ROI via the aggregated metrics and data. Ahh, let’s all just play nicely together! win win win!