Where Does AI Fit Best? Choices That Accelerate Value

I was just asked at a board meeting, ‘How do we make sure our AI and data strategies actually create value?’ My response was that, ‘The problem is really not your lack of data - instead, it’s the lack of clarity on what to do with your data.’ And that is why it is now essential to move to a more precise, value-driven approach to your data and AI strategies."

The truth is, when navigating the world of Data & AI, it is not enough to just collect more data or deploy the latest AI tool. It’s about making precise choices that align with your business goals and accelerate value creation.

So, today, we will focus on three critical and helpful areas: how to choose the right data approach, where to focus AI efforts, and why balancing governance with democratisation is key. Let’s explore what to do, why it matters, and when to act, all aimed at simplifying your journey to Data & AI value.

I will also share how to:

1. Download all the cheatsheets and much more.
2. Find out where you stand with the Top Data & AI Leaders Challenge !
3. Get personalised value driven coaching for you or your team.
4. Get my books including the FREE (Anniversary Edition) of "Value Driven Data (the Workbook) ".

Enjoy!

Edosa

Big Data vs. Right Data – Choosing the Right Focus

A critical question for a successful data strategy is: Do we need Big Data or Right Data? This decision shapes everything from resource allocation to how fast you can deliver insights. Knowing what to focus on will accelerate value creation.

What to Do:??

If your goal is to deliver quick, actionable insights, prioritise Right Data. Clean, relevant data will always outperform larger datasets that require significant time and resources. Choose Big Data when your organisation's use cases require the processing of vast, diverse datasets for long-term analysis and trend discovery.

Why It Matters:??

Right Data can get you to results faster. Big Data, while powerful, can often lead to slower insights due to complexity and the need for advanced infrastructure. Understanding this trade-off will help you align your data strategy with expected business outcomes.

When to Choose:??

- Right Data is your go-to when you're looking for immediate value and fast decision-making.??

- Big Data is the right choice when your business is focused on long-term trends or needs to uncover patterns across massive datasets.

See a reusable decisioning model in the image below for a helpful guide on choosing the right focus between Big Data and Right Data.

Get a downloadable HighRes of this image and much more by clicking here .

AI as Automation vs. AI as Augmentation – Where Does AI Fit Best?

Once you’ve chosen your data approach, it’s time to define AI’s role. Should AI fully automate repetitive tasks, or should it augment human capabilities for more complex problem-solving? This choice directly impacts how AI can add value to the operations in focus.

What to Do:?

Choose AI as Automation if your focus is on reducing costs and streamlining repetitive tasks.??

Opt for AI as Augmentation when you want to empower your team to make better, faster decisions, especially in areas that require judgment, creativity, and oversight.

Why It Matters:??

AI’s power comes not just from automation, but from augmentation - working alongside humans to improve performance and to handle complex decisions that can’t be fully automated. Balancing both is absolutely key to maximising AI's impact.

When to Choose:??

- Use automation for rule-based, repetitive tasks to free up human resources.??

- Choose augmentation when the goal is to enhance human roles in creative problem-solving, strategic decisions, or tasks that require adaptability.

For a detailed look at when to choose AI as Automation or Augmentation, use the contrast image below.

Get the downloadable HighRes image by clicking here .

Data Democratisation vs. Data Governance – The Balancing Act

A common misconception is that democratising data (giving everyone access) will always lead to better results. The reality is, too much access without governance can lead to chaos, inconsistency, and security issues. How do you find the right balance?

What to Do:

Focus on Data Governance when dealing with sensitive data or the focus is on ensuring data quality across teams. However, democratise access when the focus is on teams' need for speed and flexibility, especially for cross-functional collaboration. But, it’s not about choosing one or the other - it’s about finding the balance that works for your specific use cases and your organisation.

Why It Matters:??

Unrestricted data access can cause problems. Without governance, teams might work off inaccurate data or misuse sensitive information. On the other hand, too much control slows down decision-making. Balance is key.

When to Choose:??

- Use democratisation when fast, agile decision-making is critical.??

- Apply governance when data security, compliance, and consistency are paramount.

For a deeper dive into balancing data democratisation with governance, try the framework image below.

Get a downloadable high resolution version of this image by clicking here .

In Summary:

Start with precision in your data strategy by choosing between Big Data or Right Data - a decision that can really lay the foundation for everything that follows. Once your data is clear, focus on where AI fits best - either to automate repetitive tasks or augment human roles for greater impact. Finally, challenge the assumption that locked-down data access is always better. Instead, find the right balance between democratisation and governance to ensure data is used wisely and securely.

This comprehensive approach speeds up your journey to Data & AI value, helping you make the right decisions at every stage. Download high resolution versions of all above images (and more by clicking here ) to help guide yourself and your team through these critical choices.

Additionally, if you're ready, here are 4 ways I can help:

#1:?Get downloadable cheatsheets, my other newsletters, and much more by clicking here .

#2:?Get your personal score here to find out where you stand in the Top Data & AI Leaders Challenge - also helpful fun as a team challenge or across your network!

#3:?Get personalised coaching for you or your team by clicking here .

#4:?Get my books by clicking here - including "Value Driven Data ", "Making Data Work " and the FREE (Anniversary Edition) of "Value Driven Data (the Workbook) ".

Best regards,

Edosa