Warm Data - What is it Good For?

It's been roughly 50 years since Edwin Starr blared out his counter-cultural hit song War. And while Warm Data presents in far less dramatic ways, it is also comes at a time when its worth questioning the status quo - this time, what data can be.

In my last article on Warm Data I gave an overview of the experience and process of a warm data lab. In this article, having experienced another two labs, I want to explore the value of Warm Data and invite you to consider what is it good for. Click away or read on!

Warm Data introduces colour to a typically black and white (numerical) conversation.

It humbles through context

Year 2020 (when I drafted this article). What does that mean? Annus horribilis to many, not too bad for some and perhaps even good for others. And so it is with context, which is the core of Warm Data, there is your perspective.

But, there is also the context of everything else that orbits around you, and how you relate to it - environment, law, history, science, culture etc. etc. etc. And it is the exploration of these topics as a discussant and listener that encourages us to consider different perspectives as part of a broader perspective.

If you are prone to action or consider yourself considerate this doesn't sound so useful. You may be thinking, "I get it. There's multiple perspectives". But, consider for a moment that not only do you get an opportunity to broaden your perspective, but so too do others. That roadblock, if you can get them into the room, may just be more willing to incorporate your perspective into their decision making.

It builds awareness through groups

There is an awareness that comes by being within a group. We relate to others as social creatures. You and your own thoughts are limited by the power of one. You and one other person, and you're beginning to introduce perspective. However, any insight sits on shaky ground as with two, the dynamic can tend toward agreeableness or conflict. Three increases the likelihood of a discussion that leads to a more malleable and considered position.

I believe Warm Data labs incorporate the number 3 for this very reason. Our series in Sense Making in Uncertain Times had 3 labs, our labs had 3 facilitators, each lab involved 3 small group conversations, each group conversation explored 3 different contexts. The number was undeniable and, whether by design or not, the labs leveraged the positive dynamics that the number 3 brings by forming groups and placing you in many of them.

It leads you to create meaning

There are facilitators in Warm Data labs and they do lead the group. It's not with overt energy like the song War, rather it is more subtle; facilitators take you through multiple contexts, and leverage group dynamics in a lab. With time to decompress - reflect on your observations, how you measured them, recorded them and compare and contrast them - you combine what you brought in with what you took away and this forms new meaning.

Where warm data may be useful?

1. When things are complex and hard to understand. Warm Data complements traditional data by giving meaning to overlapping contexts and this enriches your understanding of the complex or confounding.
2. Where a desire to work together exists (but not agreement on how). Warm Data also complements traditional data because it can help work towards agreement. Warm Data labs are built on conversations about context, context informs perspective and perspectives shape beliefs on how things are done. It introduces colour to a typically black and white conversation.