Sarah Bartlett is a Tableau consultant who created Iron Quest to help people practice for the annual Iron Viz data visualization competition. Iron Quest provides topics and data for participants to build visualizations and receive feedback to improve. Over 300 entries have been submitted across 10 challenges since Iron Quest launched in 2019. The challenges help prepare participants for Iron Viz qualifiers by focusing on the scoring criteria and providing a safe space for learning. Participant testimonials show how Iron Quest has helped boost their confidence and skills for competing in Iron Viz. Upcoming Iron Quest challenges will focus on mobile design and mythological themes.

1. Iron quest
….to Iron viz & beyond
Denmark TUG | Sep 2020

2. Sarah Bartlett
BI & Analytics Consultant @ Slalom
Tableau Zen Master & Social Ambassador
Iron Viz Europe Finalist 2018
@sarahlovesdata | sarahlovesdata.co.uk
2

3. 3

4. My Professional Background
• 12+ years working in analytics
• Tableau user for 6 years
• 3 years consulting experience
• Tableau Certified Associate – 2018
• Tableau Certified Professional – 2019
• London TUG co-leader since 2016
4

5. 5

6. What is Iron Viz?

7. “Iron Viz is a Tableau data
visualization contest, giving you
the opportunity to compete with
data rockstars from around the
world.

9. What is Iron Viz?
- Annual Tableau data viz competition
- 2 stages
- Feeder competition
- Live final
- 372 entries – 86% first time entrants
- Cash prizes – new for 2020
- Live final at #data20 in October

10. 10
iron viz scoring criteria
5 points 5 points 5 points

11. Why did I Start
Iron Quest?

12. 12

13. 13

14. 14

15. 15

16. 16

17. 17

18. 18

19. What stops people
from entering Iron Viz?

20. 20
2017 Iron Viz Survey Findings
32% - Not confident enough
25% - Lack of time
22% - Intimidated by other entries
9% - “I’m not going to win so what’s the point of entering?”

21. What is
Iron Quest?

22. Mission
⋆ Create a safe space for the community to practice
⋆ Provide diverse topics with lots of possibilities
⋆ Offer feedback to help participants learn & grow
⋆ Help authors gain exposure to new audiences
Prepare participants for the Iron Viz feeders
22

23. 23
1. Topic Announced
5. Receive feedback &
iterate
2. Source Data4. Submit viz &
request feedback
(if desired)
3. Build Viz
The
Iron Quest
Cycle

24. 24
Focus on iron viz scoring criteria

25. The story so far

26. 26
10 CHALLENGES
Since launch in January 2019

27. 324 Entries
20 x viz of the day
187 participants
27

28. 28

29. 29
8 community
co-hosts

30. Vizspiration

31. 31

32. 32

33. 34

34. 35

35. 36

36. 37

37. 38

38. 39

39. 40

40. 41

41. 42

42. 43

43. 44

44. 45

45. 46

46. 47

47. Participant
Spotlight

48. 49
Where do
participants
come from?

49. 50
78%
of participants have
never entered an
Iron Viz feeder
competition

50. Meera Umasankar
Finding your own data can be a
struggle and to be honest, I feared
participating in Iron Viz. To let go of
that fear, I began participating in
Iron Quest.
I went on to participate in the 3rd
Iron Viz feeder in 2019 and I was on
cloud nine to see my viz in place
5th on the Top 10 list!
51

51. 52

52. 53

53. 54

54. Kate Schaub
Compared to other community
projects, #IronQuest really leaves
the entire process in your hands
rather than providing the data or a
solution.
The best part? You get
constructive feedback in a
completely “safe” environment
where everyone is truly there to
help you learn and grow.
56

55. 57

56. Ready for Launch?

57. In Flight
Myths, Mystery & Magic
WITH CO-HOST Sam Parsons
DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 6th 2020
60

58. COMING UP NEXT
DESIGNING FOR MOBILE
WITH CO-HOST ZACH BOWDERS
DEADLINE EARLY OCTOBER 2020
61

59. 62
Full details on my blog
sarahlovesdata.co.uk

60. 63
Project recaps available at
www.sarahlovesdata.co.uk

61. 67
Thanks!
⋆ Twitter | @sarahlovesdata
⋆ Blog | www.sarahlovesdata.co.uk
⋆ Email | sarah_bartlett@outlook.com
⋆ https://public.tableau.com/profile/sarah.bartlett#!/