How can you involve end-users in developing your data strategy framework?

In my opinion some common steps are: Define clear business objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with the data and AI strategy. Capture the right data to support the objectives and ensure that the data sources are cleaned, certified, and governed. Identify the use cases and personas of the end-users who will consume and interact with the data and analytics solutions. Design and prototype the solutions with user feedback and testing, using agile and iterative methods. Deploy and scale the solutions across the organization, while providing training, support, and communication to the end-users. Monitor and evaluate the impact and value of the solutions, and solicit user feedback for continuous improvement.

From my experience, understand your end-users before designing a data strategy framework. User research through interviews, surveys, focus groups, or observations can provide valuable insights into their needs and how they use data. Additionally, leveraging existing data sources such as web analytics, feedback forms, or customer service records can help further understand their behaviour, preferences, and pain points. By understanding your end users, you can align your data strategy framework with their specific data needs and expectations. "Know the needs before action!"

It is also crucial to recognise why things are in their current state. It's easy to dismiss the current setup as inadequate, but often, it's because of random edge cases that end users have learned to adapt to over the years. Valuing the expertise and experience of end users is paramount, as they hold the key to understanding and resolving their pain points. By acknowledging their knowledge, we can create a data strategy that directly addresses their needs and enhances their overall experience.

From my prospective, which is the PM prospective for a B2B product, it's really important to be aware of the full user journey the customer goes through, every touch points with the product itself and what is the intended use of it. This would serve as an adequate baseline for a data strategy, or at least would help understand what are the data we are looking for.

Define Metrics and KPIs: Work with end-users to define the key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics that are most relevant to their objectives. These will guide data collection and analysis efforts. User-Friendly Tools and Dashboards: If applicable, create user-friendly data visualization tools and dashboards that empower end-users to access and analyze data without requiring advanced technical skills.

As a data enthusiast, I find the idea of co-creating a data vision with end-users inspiring. It’s like painting a masterpiece where each brushstroke is an insight from the users. This approach not only aligns the data strategy with user needs but also fosters a sense of ownership among them. Truly, a win-win!

In addition to the mentioned strategies, consider fostering a collaborative data ecosystem that empowers end-users to become active participants in shaping your data strategy framework. This perspective goes beyond merely involving them, it encourages them to co-create the entire data ecosystem. Create spaces for end-users to collaborate, share insights, and exchange best practices. Establish data user communities or user groups where they can provide feedback and collaborate on data projects, share their data-driven success stories, and collectively define data-related goals and objectives.

Keeping in touch with the end users, and client is the key to continuous improvement for your product. "Let our products serve you!" mindset will keep the customers. The best report to customers is not presenting PowerPoint. Instead, let's try the product like a user.

Get in touch with end-user. Not just in form of surveys alone but also in form of calls. Even best would be to sit with the user. Gather the feedback and identify pain points to validate the hypothesis. The best method to involve users is sometimes - be a user. Data helps in building the case and user interaction sometimes in-person helps in validating the case.

Involve the end users in developing the data vision and goals by conducting workshops and brainstorming sessions, Involve them in In assessing the current state of data in the organisation by conducting interviews and surveys, by asking them about their data needs , challenges and pain points, also involve them in developing the future state roadmap for data which can be used for the organisation 's vision and goals. Offer a variety of ways for end users to get involved,?such as through in-person workshops,?online surveys,?and asynchronous communication tools. Last but not the least, be sure to recognize and celebrate the contributions of end users as you implement the data strategy framework.