Case Study: Washington Business Alliance achieves interactive data storytelling to influence state policy with Tableau Software

Data Stories Helping to Shape Washington’s Future

The Washington Business Alliance, a hybrid think tank and advocacy group, aims to promote inclusive economic growth and high quality of life in the state. For the 2016 edition of its PLAN Washington report the team wanted to tell a fuller, more interactive data story—building visualizations that let anyone explore key issues—but needed expert help to polish charts, highlight findings, and place Washington in a broader context.

Tableau Service Corps volunteer Sandlin Seguin collaborated with the Alliance to apply best practices, develop storytelling tools, and build an interactive viz library. The updated PLAN launched in early 2016, making the data more accessible and actionable, clarifying the Alliance’s priorities and roadmap, and prompting interest from state officials about applying the research to policymaking.

Washington Business Alliance

Hans Stroo

Business Alliance's Communications & Public Affairs Manager