2024-05-03 –, Connally Ballroom
Join us in exploring the intersection of engineering and storytelling, and discover how you can become a more effective communicator and influencer in your technical endeavors. In this talk, we delve into the art of storytelling within the realm of engineering, focusing on how engineers can effectively communicate insights to stakeholders through the use of narrative techniques and data visualization. Drawing from personal experience in DevOps and research across related engineering and scientific domains, we'll explore best practices that empower engineers to transform technical data into compelling stories.
Key Points:
- The Power of Storytelling: Understand how storytelling can elevate the impact of technical insights, bridging the gap between data and action. Learn why storytelling is essential in conveying complex information to diverse audiences.
- Structuring Your Story: Explore strategies for structuring data stories to create coherence and resonance. Discover techniques for establishing context and guiding your audience through the narrative arc, from problem identification to resolution.
- Visualizing Insights: Learn the dos and don'ts of incorporating visual elements into your presentations and dashboards. Discover how to select and design visuals that enhance comprehension and engagement without overwhelming your audience.
- Case Studies and Examples: Dive into real-world examples and case studies to dissect effective data stories. Engage in interactive discussions to critique and refine storytelling techniques, fostering collective learning and insight.
- Driving Positive Outcomes: Recognize the potential of compelling data stories to inspire action and drive positive outcomes in day-to-day operations and projects. Explore how storytelling can influence decision-making and foster alignment among stakeholders.
Audience Takeaways:
1. Gain practical insights into leveraging storytelling techniques to communicate technical insights effectively.
2. Learn how to structure data stories and create context to engage diverse audiences.
3. Understand best practices for incorporating visualizations into presentations and dashboards.
4. Engage in interactive discussions and case studies to refine storytelling skills.
Peco Karayanev, based in Austin, TX, has been in the tech industry for over two decades. He's held key roles in product management at PagerDuty, Rundeck, Aternity Inc. and Riverbed Inc., where he drove growth and innovation. With a strong engineering background from National Instruments Inc., he developed cloud automation frameworks, observability systems and led system engineering projects. Peco actively engages with industry communities, speaks at events, and continues to author coursework.