It was 6 pm on a Monday. And it was my first time working with a big dataset.
Just a couple of moments into my sojourn, I felt submerged under the weight of what to do? where to do start? and how to proceed?
I soon realised I needed a framework to tame the dataset and to sail smoothly through my sojourn.
It was then that I developed a three-step framework to guide me on my journey.
In this very first InkStains' post, I thought I would share this framework with you with the intention that it powers you as much it powered me.
The three steps I follow are:
start with a sketch,
log intermittent insights, and
close with a coda.
Start with a sketch:
Before I begin working with any data, I write down the start point, the endpoint, and the possible routes I can take.
Specifically, I answer these questions:
1. Where am I starting from? What is it I know? What is it I don’t know?
2. Where do I want to reach? Which is the specific graph or result I envision at the end of my journey?
3. Which 3-5 broad steps I can take to reach from the start to the end point?
Log intermittent insights:
On my journey, I log my steps to trace them when I need to. It also allows me to be aware of my process and to stay attuned to the envisioned end point.
Another thing I collect on my journey are the unexpected gems: an insight, an epiphany, or a connection between the data points.
Close with a coda:
As I near the end of my day's journey, I enjoy some mellow and monotone moments of calm after the exhilarating experience.
I sit down to give a quick clean to the code files and pen down my closing thoughts. These closing thoughts are generally along the lines of how far I came and which steps are up next.
Through experiences I have had, I find it encouraging to know that I was able to hit an intermediate target even though I didn’t manage to reach the envisioned target today.
When I made the framework for myself, I knew it was beneficial, but it took me a couple of weeks to embody it. Once I did, it made my process enjoyable and empowering.
P.S.: Be gentle with yourself. You don't have to follow every step every time. Allow yourself to find your own groove. - Vasundhara
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