Transforming Data Culture Through Fun

By: Dana Benjamin-Allen

Imagine walking into an evaluation meeting and feeling a spark of excitement instead of a sense of dread. Sound impossible? Welcome to the world of fun, participatory evaluation.

The Peak-End Effect
At the heart of our approach lies a fascinating psychological phenomenon known as the Peak-End Effect. Discovered by Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman, this principle reveals that people judge an experience based on how they felt at its most intense point and at its end, rather than the sum of every moment of the experience.

For most organizations, traditional evaluation processes create peaks of anxiety, boredom, or frustration. Imagine long, monotonous surveys, top-down reporting, and data collection that feels like an interrogation. The result? Staff members who actively avoid data conversations and see evaluation as a punitive process.

Making Evaluation Fun and Meaningful
Back of the Napkin specializes in redesigning these experiences. We transform evaluation from an administrative task into an engaging, collaborative journey of discovery.

Creating Positive Peaks
We design evaluation processes that incorporate:

• Interactive workshops that feel more like creative problem-solving sessions

• Gamified data collection methods that spark curiosity

• Collaborative meaning-making activities that empower staff at all levels

• Storytelling approaches that connect data to real human experiences

Crafting Memorable Endings
The conclusion of an evaluation processes is crucial. We facilitate:

• Celebrations highlighting organizational learning

• Creative visualization of insights

• Actionable, forward-looking planning sessions

• Recognition of staff contributions to the learning process

When evaluation becomes enjoyable, something remarkable happens. Staff create positive associations with data collection, turning what could be a dreaded task into an anticipated opportunity for growth.