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You're presenting complex algorithms to non-technical stakeholders. How can you make it easy to grasp?

To effectively communicate complex algorithms to non-technical audiences, it's essential to translate the jargon into relatable concepts. Here are strategies to clarify the complexities:

- Use analogies and metaphors that relate to everyday experiences.

- Break down the algorithm into simple, logical steps.

- Provide real-world examples of the algorithm in action.

How do you approach explaining technical details to a non-technical audience? Share your strategies.

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You're presenting complex algorithms to non-technical stakeholders. How can you make it easy to grasp?

To effectively communicate complex algorithms to non-technical audiences, it's essential to translate the jargon into relatable concepts. Here are strategies to clarify the complexities:

- Use analogies and metaphors that relate to everyday experiences.

- Break down the algorithm into simple, logical steps.

- Provide real-world examples of the algorithm in action.

How do you approach explaining technical details to a non-technical audience? Share your strategies.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
169 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
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    MOHIT GUPTA

    Nvidia | ThoughtSpot | IISc Alum

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    Any non-complex/complex algo mostly has real world use cases. Explaining it with some real world example without using technical term helps. Example: OOPs concept, what is abstraction? Getting a delivery from fedex, do you really care whether your shipment is coming via air, truck or any other medium? All you care about is delivery date. This is called abstraction where the consumer doesn’t care about how it’s delivered but it gets delivered by fedex. Just my perspective!

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    15
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    Subhadeep Dey

    Assistant Professor || Researcher at NUS || UPSC CSE Interview '22 || Physics, Maths, Stats || Data Sc, ML, DL, GenAI || Python, SQL, Azure, Streamlit, AWS || Storyteller || Musician || Bookworm || Santiniketan '19

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    To explain complex algorithms to non-technical stakeholders, focus on their impact and value. Start by describing the problem the algorithm solves in simple terms, avoiding jargon. Use relatable examples and visuals like flowcharts or graphs to illustrate how the algorithm works and its results. Highlight key benefits, such as improved accuracy, efficiency, or cost savings, and frame the explanation as a story to keep it engaging. Keep your message concise, emphasizing practical outcomes rather than technical details. Encourage questions to clarify doubts and ensure stakeholders understand how the algorithm aligns with their goals and drives measurable results.

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    11
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    Omer Afzaal

    Software Engineer | Empowering Businesses with AI | Next JS | Python | PostgreSQL | AWS | n8n

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    The scenario can contrast with prompting GPTs to explain a technical topic to a 10-year-old child. If you have ever come across such responses, you would have observed that they typically include: - Common phrases that are easy to understand. - Examples related to their experiences. - No complex technical jargon. - In the case of stakeholders, it describes the journey and the output of the proposed approach of the algorithm. - It encourages them to ask for further clarification. This provides a glimpse how you can present complex algorithms to non-technical stakeholders.

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    10
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    Sahil Arora

    Engineering @ Mastercard | Ex-PayPal | Delivering scalable backend solutions with Java, Spring Boot & AWS | Driving FinTech innovation with microservices | Mentoring the next generation of tech talent

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    There are some points which will surely help stakeholders to understand complex algorithms : - Use high-level diagrams to simplify and explain complex algorithms to stakeholders, making the solution clear and easy to understand. - Follow a business-driven development approach by describing scenarios in simple, jargon-free language , including expected inputs and outputs. - Record sessions to ensure stakeholders can revisit the discussion and raise questions later, if needed. - Focus on clarity and collaboration to ensure everyone is on the same page.

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    8
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    Ahmed LOUNICI

    Cloud & Software Engineer @ Huawei | 2x🥇🥈Huawei ICT Competition Winner (Cloud 2023, Computing 2024) | ICT Enthusiast | Digital Transformation

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    When presenting complex algorithms to non-technical stakeholders, focus on the "why" by explaining the problem it solves and its real-world impact. Use relatable analogies, like comparing a sorting algorithm to organizing mail, and emphasize outcomes such as improved efficiency or accuracy. Visual aids like flowcharts or diagrams can simplify the process, while avoiding technical jargon ensures clarity. This approach keeps the presentation engaging and easy to grasp.

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    7
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    Sibin George

    Full Stack Software Developer | Angular | React | JavaScript | TypeScript | HTML5 | CSS3 | C# | .NET Core | MicroServices | MySQL | SQL Server | Git | Figma | Jira | Agile

    (edited)
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    Simplify the Concept - Try to use real-world examples, comparisons or other narratives that might be a familiar story to them. Visualize the Process - Another way that the algorithm can be presented with is through the use of diagrams, flow charts and step by step illustrations. Engage with Stories - Tell a brief case of how the algorithm fixes a challenge or brings quality.

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    7
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    Sai Charan Madikonda

    Jr.Data Engineer || Snowflake || Python || SQL || Azure || ML || Snowpark

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    1. Explain the Use Case: Start by describing the problem the algorithm solves and how it relates to the stakeholders' needs. 2. Highlight Process Impact: Describe how the algorithm improves or optimizes existing workflows or processes. 3. Address Existing Gaps: Identify gaps in the current approach and how the new solution resolves them effectively. 4. Showcase Advantages: List the tangible benefits such as accuracy, speed, or cost savings in simple terms. 5. Make It Relatable: Use examples or visual aids to ensure clarity and understanding.

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    5
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    Rahmat Hussain

    Senior Lead Engineer at Espire Infolabs

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    Explaining complex algorithms to non-technical people can be challenging but manageable with the right approach. Here are some tips: 1. Use Analogies and Metaphors 2. Focus on the Problem it Solves 3. Break It Down into Steps 4. Use Visuals and Examples 5. Keep It High-Level 6. Relate It to Their Interests 7. Be Open to Questions Example for a Non-Technical Audience Algorithm: Machine Learning Classifier • Problem: Imagine you’re trying to sort emails into ‘spam’ and ‘not spam.’ • Analogy: It’s like training a dog to fetch only red balls by showing it examples of red and other-colored balls. • Process: The algorithm learns from past emails marked as spam or not, and applies that knowledge to new emails.

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    5
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    Fadhil Elrizanda

    Machine Learning Engineer | Master's Student in Informatics | Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering

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    I think it is important to know the background of the stakeholders, not each but by the generalization. Then divide the algorithm to smaller steps/chunks then give example with background of the stakeholders. It is seem to add more research but I think we can prepare this before the presentation section

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    5
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    Pushkar Dhall

    Engineering Manager at TeKnowledge

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    Clarify the goal: Begin by explaining the problem the algorithm addresses and its value. Incorporate visuals: Use simple diagrams, charts, or illustrations to show the process in action. Simplify language: Avoid technical terms, and explain any complex concepts in everyday language. Connect to practical use: Highlight how the algorithm applies to real-world situations and benefits the business. Break it into steps: Present the algorithm in clear, manageable steps to make it easier to follow. Use familiar comparisons: Use analogies to relatable situations to make the concept more accessible. Foster dialogue: Encourage questions and discussions to ensure clarity and address concerns.

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