How do PMs influence decisions when data alone is not persuasive?

And you are talking about data. But to take decisions we need information, not data. Data must be transformed into information.

I agree. Data is essential, but in many projects, the challenge isn't having information it's helping stakeholders understand why it matters and what action it requires.
I've found that effective project managers act as translators between data and decision-makers. They connect metrics with business impact, explain the risks and trade-offs, and frame the conversation around outcomes rather than just presenting numbers.
A good narrative doesn't replace data; it gives the data context. When stakeholders understand the story behind the numbers, they are usually more confident in making decisions and taking ownership.

Agreed; data alone rarely moves people because it doesn't answer "so what should we do?" A good PM connects the number to a story stakeholders already care about. For example, saying "we're 2 weeks behind" gets ignored, but "we're 2 weeks behind, which means we miss the holiday launch and lose the marketing spend" gets a decision made in the same meeting.