Using an Analytics Center of Excellence to Increase Data Maturity in Your Organization and assist in your journey to produce a modern data platform.

How can you bridge partnerships between the IT Data Department and Your Business Partners? How can you drive adoption to new AI initiatives, Data Science, Business Intelligence, and Analytic tools or ideas? How can you include your business partners in the journey as you roll out a modern data platform in your organization?

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These are all questions that come up in one form or another; not necessarily at the same time but through your journey to strategically position your organization for success as it relates to data, I genuinely believe you must consider these questions.

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I have been in the data space for over 25 years being in every role from the operational level to strategic layer and these are questions that I’ve asked Myself, been asked by colleagues, and continue to ask Myself to keep focused on the journey.

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In my experience, you should consider implementing an Analytics Center of Excellence (ACE) if you have not already. An ACE can be a separate entity or engine within your organization that can address all the questions I listed above.

I am going keep this at a 5000 ft view to not make this article too long but feel free to comment or email me with questions.

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Let’s jump into this.

Governance and Data Management

In some organizations, you will have a data governance organization which is great but there’s no hard rule that says, you can’t overlap the data governance organization with the ACE/ CoE. Essentially, this kills two birds with one stone. There’s a purpose for the data governance organization but that purpose can also be included as a separate line item with the ACE / CoE (all depends on how your respective org is structured)?? The reason is because the CoE can develop and enforce the data governance practices, including data quality management, metadata management, and data security protocols.? The people that make up the CoE are heavily vested in the quality of the data; they use it in their day to day.

Data Strategy and Roadmap

The simple response to this is “who do you think the data strategy and roadmap will affect?”? It will affect all the power users/product owners who reside in the ACE/CoE. Although there’s other elements to building out a data strategy that is out of scope for this article, trust me when I say, utilizing your ACE/CoE will help you build out your strategy.

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Data Infrastructure and Architecture

Sometimes we get into the rhythm of just working with our current state infrastructure and make our use cases fit to it but the use case/ data needs should drive the infrastructure. ?When you start having conversations related to Data Fabric vs. Data Lake, these topics will more than likely surface.

Building a robust data infrastructure is essential for supporting advanced analytics and data-driven decision-making. With that said, you want your ACE/CoE to know firsthand and be part of conversations of what the design and implementation of data architectures, including data lakes, data warehouse, and data pipelines will look like to ensure scalability, reliability, and performance.

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Analytics Capabilities and Skill Development

Developing the necessary skills and capabilities within the organization is critical for leveraging data effectively. An ACE/CoE is where you can provide training programs, workshops.

?Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing across departments facilitates cross-functional data initiatives (synergies are a great!!!) and enhances the organization's collective understanding of data. The CoE can facilitate communities of practice, organize knowledge-sharing sessions, and foster a culture of data-driven decision-making.

?Innovation and Experimentation

Encouraging innovation and experimentation with data enables the organization to explore new opportunities and drive continuous improvement. The ACE/ CoE can establish a framework for experimentation, provide access to advanced analytics tools and technologies, AI, and support data-driven innovation projects.

Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement

Monitoring and measuring the impact of data initiatives are essential for driving continuous improvement and demonstrating the value of analytics. The CoE can define KPIs, establish goals or metrics for tracking progress and conduct regular assessments to identify areas for enhancement.

Again, you can answer these initial questions, (How can you bridge partnerships between the IT Data Department and Your Business Partners? How can you drive adoption to new AI initiatives, Data Science, Business Intelligence, and Analytic tools or ideas? How can you include your business partners in the journey as you roll out a modern data platform in your organization?)? while increasing data maturity and producing a modern data platform by implementing an Analytics Center of Excellence.

Thanks for reading,

Jatinear

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