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Sprint to join a shared learning journey on data literacy

by Heather Leson and Dirk Slater | Jul 7, 2021 | Insights and Inspirations

What is the data playbook? 

The IFRC Data Playbook is a collection of social learning materials for developing data skills for groups or teams. The RCRC network has incredible knowledge and skills. The IFRC Data Playbook is created by you for all of us. Thus, You are the data playbook – we curate and create with you to help our network on the RCRC data journey. 

The reason that we call it a “Playbook” is to drive home that data is a team sport. Nearly everything we work on today is a data project and the playbook aims to strengthen teams abilities to work together and benefit. Through the participatory exercises, individuals can explore how their unique skill sets and contributions contribute to a joint effort of improving humanitarian response. 

During a series of interviews that we conducted with Data Literacy practitioners in the RCRC network at the beginning of 2021, we heard that one of the biggest challenges for individuals engaged in data projects is that they are unclear about the purpose of the project and how their contributions impact the success of the project. 

The Data Playbook progress:


Why we are doing this

We are hosting iterative sprints to design and get input to the data playbook. These sprints are opportunities for the data playbook core team to engage, listen and learn about the network. A sprint is a community engagement opportunity, where we identify and enlist people outside of the core team in the development of content and future use. The people who come to the sprints have the potential for being power users of V1. This is where the co-creation rubber meets the road.

We are using co-creation methods to design exercises and content for the playbook. It is a collaborative process to create across networks. We listen, share, and create together to drive participatory design processes. We aim to be open and inclusive to allow anyone who might benefit from a shared journey of discovery and innovation. 


What happened in the first sprint

During our first sprint, we were able to learn more about how people were approaching different aspects of data literacy in the RCRC network. We were joined by volunteers, national societies from around the world, IFRC staff from disciples such as first responders, information management, planning monitoring analysis and reporting (PMER), community engagement officers, and legal experts. We heard about how people are currently using the beta version of the data playbook, what approaches they currently take to help build key data literacy skills under defined topics. We heard about the methods they use and most importantly, what their starting points are to get their teams and audiences to realise the benefits of addressing subjects like data standards, data presentations and responsible data. From these exchanges we brainstormed ideas for new exercises to be included in V1, e.g. Attack of the Zombie Dashboards.

We also got inputs on a draft of the V1 Table of content which we have iterated. We would very much like RCRC colleagues to: 

  1. Review the table of contents
  2. Tell us what is missing/needs clarifying 
  3. Share any content that could support the modules (we will work with you to refine and publish with credit)


What will happen in Sprint 2 (July 19 – 29, 2021)

Call to action, come with an open mind.

For Sprint #2, which will take place in July of 2021 we will focus on further content production of the V1 – taking an opportunity to finalise the Table of Contents, and identify content and editors for specific modules and co-create some brand new exercises.

We’ll also be asking participants to get involved by volunteering to be module and content editors. 

We’ve organised the playbook into modules as a way for people to discover and find the content they need. Each module will contain exercises for teams and groups to develop expertise on a subject. Modules also contain recipes, which are a suggested sequence of exercises. We will be looking for volunteers to become Module editors, to make decisions about what exercises should be included and draft recipes. 

As we develop exercises, we will also be seeking volunteer content editors to provide feedback and possibly test them. 


How to get involved

The best way to get involved will be to come to a sprint. If you are unfamiliar with the playbook, we will provide you with an overview and walk you through the existing table of contents. If you are already familiar with the playbook, you can join in on sessions on particular topics and will be both brainstorming and testing new exercises. 



Sprint 2: Schedule and Registration

Each sprint day will consist of 1-hour time slots on specific topics. We are scheduling across multiple time zones and participation goals. 


Sprint #2 Schedule – July 19 – 29, 2021

We analysed input for availability and topics of interest in relation to the revised Table of Contents. Each of the Sprint days will have multiple topics. Each topic will be 1 hour. You are welcome to join us for the entire sprint or just the topic you find most relevant.


Day 1: July 19th 3 – 6pm CEST

Registration Link

15:00 Topic 1 Emerging Tech 
16:00 Topic 2: Data for decision-making 
17:00 Ongoing sprint


Day 2: July 20th 11 – 2pm CEST

Registration Link

11:00 Topic 1 Useable Data (data standards)
12:00 Topic 2 Data Collection 
13:00 Ongoing sprint


Day 3: July 22 8 – 11am CEST 

Registration Link

8:00 Topic 1 Data Collection 
9:00 Topic 2 – Data protection
10:00 Ongoing Sprint


Day 4: July 26 11 – 2pm CEST

Registration Link

11:00 Topic 1 Data for decision-making 
12:00 Topic 2 Understanding Data (Analysis) 
13:00 Ongoing Sprint


Day 5: July 28 8 – 11am CEST

Registration Link

8:00 Topic 1: Emerging Tech
9:00 Topic 2: Useable Data (Data Standards) 
10:00 Ongoing sprint


Day 6: July 29 3 – 6pm CEST

Registration Link

15:00 Topic 1: Understanding Data (Analysis) 
16:00 Sprint review and Sprint 3 coordination
17:00 Topic 2: Data protection 

Thank you and See you online!

IFRC Data Playbook Team

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  1. Evolving and Iterating the Data Playbook V1 during our second co-creation sprint - Solferino Academy - […] our second sprint, we built upon the work of the first sprint, which took place in June 2020 when…

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