Sensemaker: Combining Stories, Numbers and Data Analytics to Uncover Hidden Dimensions of Relationships

SenseMaker is a method to collect qualitative information from stakeholders in the form of stories or micro narratives about their experiences and then, after interpretation and quantification, to identify visual patterns across the narratives of large and diverse populations.

This note focuses on the use of SenseMaker to generate data about intangible dynamics –such as trust, agency and power – within relationships between companies and the workers, communities and consumers they impact.

Use this method to:

• Gain detailed local insights from the set of individual experiences that people share about their contexts.
• Visualize patterns and identify common themes across the narratives of large and diverse populations.
• Use insight from the stories and the data they generate to inform efforts that address problems and challenges.