The long road ahead
A few weeks ago in our Manifesto for the Data Informed, one of the five beliefs presented was Company-wide familiarity with metrics rather than outsourcing to ‘data people.’ one change here Immediately, we were pummeled with questions: Does this really matter? Is this a realistic expectation? How can an organization achieve this? So for our next few posts, we’ll deep dive into how to make this lofty aspiration practical. As with anything else in life — whether people, languages or customs — there is no shortcut to gaining familiarity; the only way is through direct and frequent exposure. With data, most teams inherently understand this — that is why dashboards are built and links are passed around and we are all reminded to “please bookmark it and check it often.” Unfortunately, unless your job title includes the word data, the practice of loading said bookmark does not frequently arise to the top of your to-do list, even if you really truly do think data is important! Thus begins the great death spiral of dashboards — because they go unused, they become unmaintained. Because they are unmaintained, when you finally have a need to look at them, they’re broken and useless. This is why data-informed teams rely on practices other than sheer will to create data familiarity. The big three are 1. weekly metrics reviews, 2. weekly insight reports, and 3. insights reviews. In this installment, we’ll tackle one of the single most impactful practices of building a data-informed team: the weekly metrics review. What is a Weekly Metrics Review? A weekly metrics review is a synchronous team meeting to review the key metrics for a scaling, post-PMF product with all functional team members present — ie, PM, engineering, design, operations. This type of review can (and should!) happen at the executive level, with the CEO and C-level executives, and recurse down to individual product teams. A weekly metrics review should be short and sweet (think 5–15 minutes, typically at the start of a regular team meeting) and led by the data person who walks the group through the key metrics for your collective area of work (e.g. new user growth, revenue, conversion rates, tickets resolved). The group should examine how key metrics have progressed over the past few weeks, ideally by looking at a series of time-series line charts. The presenter can also prepare a few key segments to review, for example if a certain type of user, platform, or market is strategically important to the team, or if the team has launched something that impacts a particular segment (like a new feature in a test market). It’s best to keep the meeting lightweight. Preparation should be easy, ideally no more than 30 minutes. Many great metrics reviews simply start with screenshots of dashboards. The data person shouldn’t have to have all the answers at their finger tips (why did active users spike two weeks ago?). It’s fine to circle back with an answer later.Software for a longer and healthier life
Usability in technology can make all the difference when nurses distribute their time on patients. Read on to learn more about how user-friendly software affects the healthcare industry. In November each year, we celebrate World Usability Day (WUD) which promotes usability and users’ responsibility to ask for technology that works better. Demanding improved products leads to better processes both in our personal lives and at work. This year, the theme of WUD is “Our Health”. The aim is to explore and promote systems that provide healthcare in all of its forms within physical and mental health. Over the last decades, life expectancy has been steadily increasing all over the world. As people are getting older than ever before, more healthcare workers will simultaneously be retiring. This leaves a bigger part of society in need of medical care and assistance, with fewer healthcare workers available to cover that need. In addition, many are lacking the right tools to meet the current and future demand. An electronic patient journal (EPJ) is a tool that could contribute to simplifying the work days of the healthcare professionals available. The challenges of an increased lifespan A common issue is that many healthcare workers don’t have time to build their competence while also treating patients. This deteriorates the quality of the treatment they’re able to give. Remaining in the current situation may increase stress, frustration and unhappiness at work for healthcare professionals, leading more of them to change professions. Some examples of the consequences that will follow include less time for documentation and follow-ups of patients, more overlooked medical issues, and more incorrect medical decisions. Technology for a better healthcare system The changes happening in the healthcare system demand new ways of working. Electronic patient journals (EPJ) offer a possible solution. Such digital tools ensure a better flow of information and quicker access to assistance from colleagues and management. By making documentation and reporting easier, other types of tasks can be done more efficiently. This helps healthcare workers to work more preventatively, while also releasing more time for each patient, including care, guidance and trust building. EPJ software contributes to: Faster documentation of higher quality You’ll be able to report and document properly in real-time through a phone or tablet. It saves time and prevents inaccurate documentation. This enables healthcare workers across different disciplines to cooperate, track and assist with a patient matter. Integrated help centre and e-learning Enables healthcare workers to get the onboarding and training they need to do their job properly, without having to spend their personal time on work related training. Easier management of time and resources By diminishing time spent on reporting and documenting, an EPJ system will release more time for other responsibilities. Easier to evaluate patient matters with coworkers and managers It’ll be easier to discuss and collectively evaluate matters internally, due to quicker access to support from managers and coworkers in demanding situations. Better follow-ups of patients and their next of kin Efficient registration practices ensure less time spent on administrative tasks and more time for the patients and their next of kin. Most importantly, healthcare workers will have more time to show compassion in their work. Improving user experience is key for the future of the healthcare industry. By delivering products that serve a clear purpose while meeting the needs of the end-users, the work of healthcare professionals will be simplified, which also benefits society at large. EPJ software is just one example of a digital solution improving the user experience of an entire industry.
