Finding the steppingstones to a data driven organization

Being a data-driven organization - This is an objective that is continuously formulated over the past decade – yet continuously failed.

The current context pushes towards it - we’re living in an increasingly digitized economy – being data-driven can play a critical strategic role in how organizations pursue gaining the necessary competitive edge to be at the forefront of digital disruption.

There is a serious effort to manage data as a critical corporate asset, to transform organizational cultures into data-driven cultures, to build business strategies supported on data and analytics.

There is a serious effort in the increasing investment in big data and analytics, seen as an urgent to face a disrupting business context.

There is a serious effort in organizational changes, with more organizations appointing Chief Data Offices and supporting structures.

Still, most organizations seem to be falling short in their efforts to become data-driven.

Data-Driven is not about data

Data-driven business means business-driven data - it’s about business.

Business is the driver, it’s about finding the right balance between people, processes and technology and combining them to derive business value from data.

Business adoption is most of the times the real challenge to be faced, and this is rarely a technological problem, most frequently is about people and processes.

In organization that invested heavily in technology as a first step toward becoming data-oriented, these transformations are still hampered by ill-defined processes and business roadblocks.

Why are these initiatives failing to gain business traction?

How can business adoption be increased?

Data-Driven is a priority

Whatever the reasons impairing data initiatives, analytical decisions and actions are generally better than those based on intuition and experience.

The need for data-driven organizations and cultures is real and it’s a priority.

Rather than undertaking massive change, organizations should concentrate on targeted efforts to build a data-driven culture. Don’t focus on overall data-driven transformation, identify specific projects and business initiatives that move the organization in the right direction.

Focus on the steppingstones not on a bridge to a data-driven organization.