Nothing is More Dangerous Than Uncontextualized Data

We live in an era where data is king. Metrics, KPIs, dashboards—we have mountains of data available, ready to inform (or misinform) nearly every decision we make in instructional design.

Yet nothing, and I mean nothing, is more dangerous than uncontextualized data. Numbers alone rarely tell the full story. Without context, data can mislead, confuse, or even justify harmful decisions, especially in the hands of stakeholders who aren't close to the day-to-day reality of instructional design.

Here’s why this matters: data never exists in isolation. Every number, graph, or trend line tells only part of a broader narrative about people, learning experiences, processes, and results. But all too often, instructional designers hand off raw data—completion rates, test scores, feedback ratings—without offering the necessary context to interpret it accurately.

When stakeholders receive data without context, they inevitably fill in the gaps themselves. And guess what? Their interpretations rarely match reality. Misinterpretation leads to misguided actions, unnecessary interventions, or, worst of all, damage to trust and collaboration.

How do you prevent this? Simple. Relationships.

To handle data responsibly, you must prioritize relationships with stakeholders. Build trust, credibility, and mutual understanding. Know their values, their needs, and their beliefs. When you have strong relationships, you gain the opportunity—and the responsibility—to provide critical context and shape the narrative around the data.

Data becomes genuinely powerful when you present it within the story of your project, your learners, and your team's efforts. The ability to craft that narrative authentically and accurately hinges entirely on the strength of your relationships. When stakeholders trust your perspective, your context becomes their context.

I’m not saying to avoid data—far from it. What I’m saying is that contextless data is not just useless; it's dangerous. Your job isn't only to deliver numbers but to interpret, explain, and humanize them.

So build relationships intentionally. Earn trust consistently. When your stakeholders know and value you, they'll trust your voice, your story, and your interpretation of the data. That's when data becomes truly powerful—not just because it informs, but because it strengthens understanding, alignment, and shared values.

In instructional design—and everywhere else—data tells a story. Just make sure you’re the one shaping it.