Data Loop

Simon developed the Data Loop over four years ago as a canvas for bringing together data people and designers to create services and products with data. Of course, anyone can use it; the main thinking behind a dedicated canvas for designing with data was to support the broadest possible range of stakeholders.

The Data Loop has been used in all sorts of places: from work with clients and students to workshops at open data and service design conferences, and we’ve learned a lot through testing in the field. The tool is specifically designed for rapid exploration; we’ll be publishing more tools for different approaches soon.

We’ve set out some basic instructions below (for a standard use with an organisation and an individual user), and we’ll be posting examples and case studies through this Publication. You can download a large version (suitable for printing at A0) of the canvas on our Design Tools GitHub Repository, but the best way to learn how to use it is to experiment.

Standard Usage

1. Decide what kind of relationship you want to explore. For the instructions in this section we’re assuming you want to map out the interactions between an organisation and an individual user (perhaps to generate some ideas and prototypes around a possible service). Other options are discussed later in this post.
2. Start anywhere on the Loop, depending on which part of the design process you are at. For example, if you have a lot of user research data then you could start populating the Goals and Actions boxes (what are the user’s goals and actions?), and the adjacent Data Sectors (what data do they need to achieve their goals and what data do they produce through their actions?). If you’re redesigning an existing interface then start in the Interactions Sectors.
3. Transfer information from other tools, such as Persona descriptions and Journey Maps to get a good starting point. If you don’t have these then the Data Loop can inform where you should focus on next (rapid tools such as this are good for exploring your research requirements).
4. You can add information to the bottom Goals and Actions boxes if you already have a good understanding of the organisation’s objectives. Otherwise these might be places to add internal research questions. Again think about what data the organisation needs from the user and what it can provide through its activities. Add this data to the relevant, adjacent Data Sectors.
5. Add types of data on post-its or write on the canvas directly. You might want to use different post-it colours for different data types.
6. The top and bottom triangles are for DATA while the side triangles are for INTERACTIONS (tangible interfaces or “touchpoints” where data is provided, viewed or used). Try and be clear about what goes where (are you talking about data or a view of the data, for example?).
7. The outer circle is for individual data records, where an individual can be identified. The inner circle is for aggregate datasets where no individuals can be identified. See more about this below.
8. The outside of the circles, where the lines extend, is for adding notes, partnerships, considerations and observations (again, see below).
9. Use notes or sketches in the INTERACTIONS triangles to better describe the interfaces. These sketches can provide a way into prototyping.
10. Complete the whole canvas to make sure that a clear relationship is defined. Try and eliminate waste by making sure that all the data and interfaces you describe are necessary and relevant.
11. Perform a number of circuits of the Data Loop to identify new opportunities for improvement. This tool works best after having gone around a few times, especially if you discuss, prototype and research as you go.
12. Make use of the Context circle (the outside of the Data Loop) to add considerations, issues and areas for further research. See below for more information.

More About The Circles

Single

This is where you add individual pieces of data that can be traced to a single user or refer to a single record.

Aggregate

This is where you add aggregate data from multiple people or sources. It should not be possible to identify individuals in aggregate data.

With regard to Single and Aggregate Circles, care should be taken to fully understand how one relates to the other. Any questions around this relationship should be explored in the Context Circle. See below for starting questions. It is expected that the body of knowledge around the Context Circle will be added to over time, both for the particular needs of individual users of the Loop and more generally.

Context

The outer segments (just outside the Single Circle) are open spaces for exploring questions around the use of data. There is a list of possible questions according to which segment is being examined, such as:

• what partnerships are necessary to gain access to supplementary data;
• what are the potential barriers to the user providing data (digital literacy, privacy, etc.);
• what are the security issues; and
• what are the possible touchpoints for the specific user?

Other Tools

Use the Data Loop with a data-focused Service Blueprint to gain a deeper understanding of key interactions. Feed material from research, Personas and Journey Maps into the Loop to provide new perspectives.

Variations

Peer-to-Peer

Use the top half of the Loop again on the bottom instead of adding a service provider. Consider how data works within the context of a peer-to-peer relationship and how this is managed. Explore a peer-to-peer relationship as an alternative to a primary use of the Loop.

Data-Driven

Start with the bottom half of the Loop, from the perspective of data sources and providers to explore potential users for data. This use can bring a more human-centred design approach to data/development-driven projects.

The Data Place helps people and places thrive through better data discovery, publishing and use. We’re a social enterprise, bringing together infrastructure, data skills, human-centred design and open source development. Find out more: https://thedata.place/.