Scaling Business Intelligence Needs Persistent Sponsorship And Framework

Data mastery is not mere understanding. It needs more than that. It needs a combo of proper sponsorship and alignment of solid framework from which it can operate and innovate. Relying on natural evolution of information and data stewards is not recommended if a company wanted to get ahead and leap frog the competition.From experience, two other sister disciplines that may accelerate adoption is agile project management and adherence to a reliable SDLC (systems development life cycle) but the single most bang for the buck is accountability and ownership. More often, that is where the line is drawn. Accountability and ownership needs a visionary or a data sponsor. Someone in a leveraging position that can summon senior leaders of the company to put emphasis and priority on data strategy. It does not have to be so grand and ideal like concepts in Data Governance or Chief Data Officer but anything manageable and appropriate to the resource makeup and size of the company. The most important but simplistic is for the data lead to hone the ability to influence all the passengers of the boat to row in the same direction.

The journey towards a more data-driven existence cannot be discounted in any walks of life. Most of us will work for a company and realize how data access and enrichment can make or break our aspirations. I, myself realized that everything starts with planning. Then executing against that plan increases the likelihood of success whether it is improving your credit score, moving to a new house, building fences or growing herds of farm animals. Better task management starts with a competent planner, reliable framework and patterns of data to work with.

Success in data strategy is not derived overnight. Steering the boat towards a data destination demands the right ingredients of sponsorship and framework. It builds momentum. And when it finally rolled snowballing followers and creators and inspiring thought leaders and mentors, it becomes a new culture that will thrive and have a life of its own.