Understanding the problem with data

In Chapter 2, we took a big picture view of the problem by looking at it through a systems lens. In Chapter 3, we introduce some common methods for analysing data to better understand the problem. They cover a mix of simple and complex analysis techniques, as well as audience segmentation approaches.

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Turning numbers into narrative

As a society, we are dealing with increasingly complex problems and working in environments where there are many competing agendas. To build a shared understanding of the problem and uncover insights on the changes that organisations can make - and those which may be out of their control - we use systems, process, actor and influence mapping to identify the individuals, groups and organisations involved in the problem - and who may be part of the solution.

Further resources

Influences, further reading and blog posts related to this chapter.

Digital inclusion and online behaviour: Five typologies of Australian internet users

Associated with our work with Australia Post (left), is this this *paid* article in Behaviour and Information Technology, 4, 367-380. Borg, K. & Smith, L. (2018)

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The practice of cluster analysis

In the *paid* Journal of Classification, 23(1), 3-30 . Kettenring, J. (2006).

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Why looking at the average can be misleading: The argument for segmentation

In this article, chapter co-author Kun Zhao and Luke Smillie (University of Melbourne) argue that personality science can help us better understand, measure and capitalise on individual differences when it comes to behaviour change.

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Blog post

Overturning mistaken assumptions about behavioural problems with data

Intuitions and assumptions are not always reliable guides for designing behavioural interventions. In this post, we share some learnings from times where our data told a different story.

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Project

Social Inclusion Index

To support the December 2019 launch of Inclusive Australia (IA)** a powerful alliance of organisations wanting to see a more coordinated approach to inclusivity, BehaviourWorks has published the first-ever Social Inclusion Index. The Index captures a ‘big picture view’ of the progress that Australia is making on being more inclusive of minorities, providing a benchmark for IA and other organisations to monitor progress and evaluate initiatives designed to give more Australians a fair go

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Project

Making Australia a digitally-inclusive society

Despite what we hear about the take-up of digital technology in Australia, figures suggest that one in seven of us (around three million Australians) rarely or never use the internet. While this may be a choice for some, others risk being left behind as more and more services shift online. The recently-formed Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance (ADIA) is a shared initiative involving over 100 business, government, academic and community organisations, which are working together to reduce the digital divide and enable greater social and economic participation for all Australians. The alliance is backed by Australia Post, Google and Telstra, with participants throughout the country from all sectors.

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Project

Tackling the problem of charity dumping

Charities rely on donations of second-hand clothes and other items to raise funds for good causes, but some receive a significant amount of unusable items dumped illegally on their doorsteps out of hours, which they are forced to dispose of at a significant cost. Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, local councils, charities and the National Association of Charitable Recyclers needed evidence to test their assumptions of what would stop this problem from occurring, so they asked us to examine the underlying factors and design preventative interventions. “Illegal dumping levels outside charity stores are a problem and charities are having to put more and more funding towards dealing with the resulting waste. We needed to research solutions that would work.” – Sally White, Group Manager, Strategic Partnerships, EPA

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