Head, Legs, Heart: A Runner’s Framework for Building Better Data Solutions

The Head, Legs, Heart Framework

The path to both running and data solutions success boils down to three simple components: Head, Legs, and Heart. Your Head sets the direction, your Legs carry you through the implementation, and your Heart ensures your solution resonates with users.

Head: Strategic Planning

Just like a marathon runner needs a clear plan before lacing up, strong data solutions begin with strategic thinking. When I started running, my initial goal was vague: get healthier. Sound familiar? It is a bit like saying your organisation wants to improve reporting. Neither gives you a clear finish line.

My running journey changed when I committed to a specific goal: completing the Christchurch Marathon without stopping. In the same way, your data projects need clearly defined, measurable outcomes. Instead of aiming to improve reporting, aim to reduce monthly report creation time from five days to one. Swap better data insights for enabling managers to track team performance without IT support.

My running journey also taught me to distinguish clearly between needs and wants. In the beginning, I thought I needed top-of-the-line shoes, the best and most technically advanced gear, and the latest smart devices. However, what I really needed was a good pair of shoes and a basic fitness tracker. The same principle applies to data dashboards. Focus on metrics that drive decisions; not every visual you could possibly create.

Legs: Diligent Execution
Just as endurance is built through consistent training, your data solutions are only as strong as your execution. Around 80 percent of the two thousand kilometres I ran were slow, steady efforts. They were not glamorous or particularly shareable, but they built the foundation I needed to succeed.

Data solutions rely on the same kind of discipline. Data cleaning and validation might not impress in a stakeholder demo, but without them, your insights rest on shaky ground. Clean data is like good running form; it prevents issues before they arise and makes ongoing improvement much easier.

One of the most valuable lessons I learnt during my running journey was to focus on small, manageable changes. To improve my running cadence, I gradually increased from 160 to 180 steps per minute. I also gradually increased the number of kilometres I ran each week (mileage). The same idea applies to data work. Small, incremental improvements usually lead to higher quality (and less risky) outcomes than sweeping or radical overhauls.

Heart: Impactful Delivery
Heart is what turns skill into significance. Throughout training, I tracked every run. But a single session never told the whole story. Patterns revealed themselves over time: weekly mileage, consistency, and alignment with my goal gave me the real insight.

The same applies to data. Your goal is not just to present information, but to guide action. A good dashboard tells or, even better, sells a story. It makes the complex understandable, and the invisible visible. To achieve this, I follow the 4 Cs of Data Design:

• Cut: Remove anything that does not help the user understand the data
• Clarity: Make key insights obvious through layout and design
• Colour: Use colour deliberately to draw attention and show meaning
• Carat: Match the level of detail to what different users actually need

By race day, I had nailed the technical aspects, form, pacing, breathing. But what truly pushed me over the finish line was the support of others. Some things did not go to plan, but that’s a story best saved for another day. However, the cheers, the shared struggle, the human connection, that is what got me across the finishing line, with the much-treasured medal and a banana.

It is the same with data work. Technical skill gives you the tools. But connection with your users is what creates impact. The real value of a solution lies not just in what it does, but in how it empowers people to use it.

The Finish Line
Just as running is not really about the shoes or the gadgets, data solutions are not about features or fancy charts. At their core, both are about people. The goal is to help people understand their data, make better decisions, and achieve meaningful outcomes.

Creating effective data solutions is like training for a marathon. It is not about finding shortcuts or building every possible feature. It is about setting clear goals, laying strong foundations through consistent effort, and building human connections that drive real engagement. Simplicity, focus, and adaptability are what carry you across the finish line.

Every time I lace up my running shoes or open my data tools, I am reminded that success comes from balancing technical skill with human understanding. So, lace up your metaphorical running shoes…your next data project is waiting! And the good news? It will be a lot less sweaty than the real thing.