Data-driven decision making meets storytelling: Business cases that convince
This research from Digital Workplace Group (DWG) explores how digital workplace leaders can secure executive buy-in for transformation initiatives by combining rigorous data-driven decision making with the art of persuasive storytelling. Drawing on practical frameworks and real-world examples, the report demonstrates that facts and analytics alone are not enough – compelling narratives are essential to bring data to life and inspire action.
The report outlines proven methods for assessing analytics maturity, selecting impactful metrics and structuring business cases using storytelling frameworks such as Freytag’s Pyramid and the PMI SARIE model. It emphasizes the importance of aligning business cases with organizational priorities, integrating both quantitative evidence and human-centred stories to create memorable, persuasive proposals.
Case studies from leading organizations – Intuit and Comcast – showcase how this dual approach works in practice. Intuit’s story highlights the use of employee feedback, behavioural analytics and authentic storytelling to drive the adoption of a modern HR service delivery platform. Comcast’s story demonstrates how a unified vision, meaningful metrics and empathy-driven storytelling helped secure support for an AI-powered Workplace Agent, transforming employee experience and productivity.
The research also addresses key challenges such as change management, risk mitigation and the need for robust governance and measurement systems to sustain momentum. It provides actionable recommendations for crafting business cases that not only justify investment but also build emotional connection and trust with stakeholders.
You can also read the related blog, Data-driven storytelling: Why the story behind the numbers matters.
Cost
An excerpt of this report is available as a free download. Please refer to the DWG Research Terms & Conditions of Usage before downloading.
Need help?
For general inquiries: nancy.goebel@digitalworkplacegroup.com or telephone +44 (0) 20 7374 8061.
About DWG research
The Digital Workplace Group (DWG) carries out research into best practice in intranet and portal deployment. Covering the hottest topics in the intranet world, the studies we undertake are rooted in practical examples from among DWG member organizations as well as leading non-member companies. The results of this in-depth research act as a basis for decision-making, a source of ideas, and the basis for rich interactions between participants at DWG meetings. Generally, members are given exclusive access to our findings, although we do from time to time make a report available to non-members.
