Lessons in Analytics From Stranger Things 002
Joyce Byers — The Map Maker (1984… mostly)
In our first article inspired by Stranger Things, we focused on the communication challenges of Hawkins, Indiana and the super-powered Dustin Henderson’s exceptional communication. But some things, say extra-dimensional monsters, are not easy to talk about. Somethings are hard to understand… unless you have a map.
Joyce Byers, played by Winona Ryder, is the series map maker. Through two straight years of chaos and confusion, Joyce manages to piece it altogether. She uses lights, alphabet decoder rings, and maps out giant tunnel systems.
Maps are an easy tool to improve your analytic reach, but unlike Joyce, analysts do not want to arrive at map-making in a final act of desperation. Map-making should be a much earlier and fundamental part of your analytic process.
In 1984, Joyce gets a little wiser and starts her mapping process earlier. Rather than following paths of glowing lights, decorating her house to mimic Close Encounters, and creating graffiti inspired decoder rings — she starts with some simple drawings. Of course, simple things often get complicated.
Starting early allows Joyce to be a bit more calm and deliberate in trying to interpret her map. It allows her to utilize the talents and interpretation skills of others. It even makes the map portable. Maps are pretty useful things… even the Stranger sort.
Of course, much like Dustin, Joyce isn’t the only one making use of maps in Stranger Things. She just happens to be the best at it. Mike, Hopper, Dr. Sam and even Bob ‘The Brain’ use maps at different points in the story. While Dr. Sam is more successful this time around (Aliens), Indiana Jim Hopper is a little less successful (blame the snakes, uh vines?), and other Sam… I mean Bob, probably would like to go back to Mordor.
Companies and analytic teams should invest in map-making. It is the easiest way to visualize your challenges, bring members of your team to similar understanding, and find your way through difficult situations. You are certainly welcome to try other devices, but more complicated solutions are liable to make a mess or drive you crazy. Thanks for reading!
Here is our first lesson, in case it wasn’t on your map:
And stay tuned for Lessons in Analytics from Stranger Things 003 — Will ‘the Wise’… read it here.
