Read time: 6 minutes

Early in my career, I skipped sketching my ideas and dove straight into creating polished data presentations.

I remember one project vividly. I was tasked with delivering a dashboard for a high-profile client. In my rush to deliver something impressive, I bypassed sketching and jumped straight into tools and visuals. When I presented my final product, I was met with confusion and countless revision requests. The stakeholders’ expectations hadn’t been met, and I was left feeling discouraged and overwhelmed.

What I learned was this: Skipping the sketching phase doesn’t save time—it costs you clarity, alignment, and countless hours of rework.

Sketch First, Save Time Later

If you skip sketching your ideas, you risk misaligned expectations, lost time, and frustrated stakeholders.

When you take a moment to sketch your ideas first, you give yourself and your team a visual framework to align on. Stakeholders can see what you’re aiming to deliver, provide early feedback, and prevent costly misunderstandings. Simply put, sketching bridges the gap between your vision and their expectations.

Let me show you how to make sketching a simple, effective part of your process.

#1. Start with Stakeholder Alignment

Sketching sets the foundation for collaboration and understanding.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Pick a data project you're working on. Define the key questions or insights your visualization will address.
2. Sketch a rough layout. Use simple shapes, placeholders, and text to outline your ideas.
3. Present it to your stakeholders. Walk them through your sketch and ask for feedback.

This ensures everyone is aligned on the direction before you invest time in polished visuals.

#2. Use a Sketching Toolkit

The right tools can make sketching fast and effective.

Here’s how to use a toolkit like the one included in this challenge:

1. Choose a device format. Will this be on a desktop, tablet, or mobile device?
2. Select your chart types. What visuals best represent your data: bar charts, scatter plots, or tree maps?
3. Add essential components. Include titles, labels, filters, and legends to communicate context.

By starting with these elements, your sketch will be both clear and actionable.

#3. Iterate Based on Feedback

Your first sketch is just the beginning—it’s a conversation starter.

Here’s how to iterate:

1. Share your sketch with stakeholders. Ask clear questions like, “Does this answer the key question?”
2. Refine your sketch. Incorporate their feedback to improve clarity and alignment.
3. Lock in your design. Once everyone agrees, you’ll have a clear roadmap for building your final product.

This approach minimizes revisions and ensures your final presentation is on target.

Don’t Let Sketching Intimidate You

For many, the thought of sketching their ideas feels daunting. “What if I’m not good at drawing?” or “How do I know what to include?” are common concerns that hold people back.

Here’s the good news: The Sketching Toolkit eliminates these worries. With pre-designed components, chart templates, and simple layouts, you don’t need artistic skills—just a willingness to visualize your ideas. This toolkit is your shortcut to transforming thoughts into clear, actionable sketches that inspire confidence and alignment.

When I reflect on the mistake of skipping sketching, I realize how much clarity and time I lost. Sketching isn’t an extra step—it’s the foundation for success. By incorporating these three techniques into your workflow, you’ll streamline your data storytelling process, meet stakeholder expectations, and deliver with confidence.

So grab your toolkit and start sketching—it’s the small step that makes a big difference.

Sketching Toolkit for Google Slides | Sketching Toolkit for PowerPoint