Bridging the People Gap

We've all seen this. It’s when an executive has a request for data, and then we all drop what we're doing. People start pulling data from different systems, we meet, we join data together, we try to figure out why it's not joining, go and repeat. There is a tremendous amount of rework on the shoulders of people and it's really just not the best use of their time.

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Listen while reading: 

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So, when it comes to the benefit of having these readily available data sets, having a properly structured data program, my belief is that the biggest benefit is the one that's created and that is the impact on the people in your organization. It frees them up to focus on higher value activities.

 

So now they're no longer having to pull data sets and join them and deal with those frustrating data issues. They can focus on analysis and action. They contribute to the organisation in a way that makes the best use of their skill. 

This means a more productive, effective and happy team.

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In the blog, about Data Assets for REITs (2 min.) we talk about finding value in data with the help of the people who use it every day.  Steps to help with your data analytics strategy requires: discovery, planning and collaboration.

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Here’s how to bridge that gap:

1. Step into the weeds. To understand what’s available, talk to everyone who uses the data to discover their pain points. 

2. Empathize with the users. By grasping user roles, their goals and knowing what success means to them.

3. Tell the right story - with the addition of better data, not just more data - tapping into all available data assets and sources to ‘see the signal through the noise’. Good planning is done when we are best informed. 

4. Take the time to collaborate with business units on their data. Then, give it time for a good test and validation.

5. Follow along with ongoing improvements to prevent software and process abandonment. Happy people like to feel they are supported on an ongoing basis.

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Thank you for completing the five steps to data strategy.