BI for Execs: Plan your Data Strategy pt. 1

​This two-part article describes a 6-step framework, Vision, Mission, Strategy, Goals, Initiatives, Actions (abbreviated VMSGIA) executives can leverage for refocusing business innovation around strategic goals.

Onyx Reporting uses this methodology during the needs assessment phase of larger business intelligence (BI) and data strategy projects to prioritize, frame, and deliver high-value analytics solutions.  Over the next two posts, we will:

• Examine a common way organizations derail new BI initiatives
• Explore examples of the successful alignment of data initiatives with corporate strategy.

By Jae Myong Wilson - keep abreast with BI strategy from the comfort of your inbox.

A Data Project Sunk in Dry-dock

​Piecemeal design produces hamstrung data strategy teams.
As organizations evaluate new analytics tools, the question "Do you have any sample dashboards?" invariably arises. Though it seems a reasonable request, in most cases, it derails the data project team; because the process rapidly devolves into piecemeal design and never recovers. "I don't like the layout of this report" "How much would it cost to change this feature?" "How many hours would it take to add a new calculation?"  
 
Instead of proactively designing a comprehensive solution, the data consultancy is relegated to reactively implementing fixes.

 
 
As consulting hours add up, frustration increases as the organization constantly uncovers new 'problems' or 'limitations' in the reporting tools.  They feel nickel-and-dimed with every minor band-aid fix, but never have the satisfaction or assurance that the organization is getting closer to achieving strategic milestones.  User adoption stays low and the project champions face mounting pressure to demonstrate value to an increasingly skeptical user base.  "It was supposed to work out of the box.  What are we paying for?" ask frustrated executives.

Empower your Data Strategy Team

Change the conversation.  
Instead of setting off with a seemingly innocuous fixation on patching up sample dashboards, develop a comprehensive roadmap that starts with executive vision. 

• Who / Where do you want the organization to be in 3, 5, and 10 years?
• What does success for the organization look like? For value-added processes?  For value delivered through analytics?
• How can analytics support processes and tactical milestones that get you incrementally closer to that vision?

​​Though time intensive, this process culminates in a guiding document that outlines the business requirements of the data strategy:

• What are the gaps between what you DO, CAN, and NEED to measure and monitor to achieve your vision?
• How will stakeholders (both internal and external) interact with the system(s)? -- keep in mind the CXOs will use different tools than mid-level managers and line of business workers.
• How and which data can support, automate, or optimize existing business processes?
• How can innovative use of data create value for customers or the organization?

While many organizations develop the business requirements internally, the data strategy is not complete.

 A comprehensive strategy also requires:

• Project Planning & Staffing
• Compliance Requirements
• Data and Data Quality Requirements
• Data Cleansing and Master Data Management considerations
• Security Considerations

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Closing Thoughts

Be wary of the temptation to piecemeal reporting and analytics.  Patching up 'standard reports' without a holistic vision of the end goal guarantees strained relations or limited utilization of the data team; frustrates or limits adoption among end-users, and requires internal project champions venture into foreign territory to bootstrap their own data strategy.
 
Fight conventional wisdom which encourages project managers to prioritize quick wins to strengthen stakeholder buy-in, and instead get lasting support from the C-suite by co-developing a multi-phase crawl, walk, run data strategy that supports and aligns with both the current corporate strategy as well as the 3, 5 and 10-year road-map.

Join our mailing list to be informed when Part II-- featuring examples of data strategies aligned to corporate vision--is published.
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Author Jae Wilson, lead data strategist at Onyx Reporting, partners with co-author Joel Conarton, director at executive and management consultancy Catalystis, to provide strategic solutions for data-driven organizations.
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