DATA EXCELLENCE
Organizations express that they want to be data driven. They realize that data plays a critical role in digital transformation and that data is a key asset to achieve their ambitions or to fulfill obligations.
The question arises how to make this work. A lot of organizations struggle with questions as “how can I break down data silo’s”, “how to measure the success of our data strategy”, “how to make managers accountable for data?”, “how can I keep the attention of the leaders in my organization”.
We experienced that the mindset for success should be shifted from “Focus on the means” to “Focus on the business value”. This principle leads to data excellence. It is making data fit for purpose. The messages used in the initiative must be directly related to business objectives and business value.
The means like proper Data Quality Management, Data Risk Management, and Metadata Management are foundational and will help to achieve data excellence but are often too loosely coupled to business value and hard to explain to non-specialists.
Key success factors of a successful Data Excellence program
Focus on critical data related to the business value
Active involvement of senior management - accountability
It is a lifestyle, not a diet
Data at the center of concerns in daily activities, remaining focused on business value and continuous improvement
Empower Business with data-focused responsibilities
Break down silos
Co-creation by the different business lines and support functions
In our Data Excellence efforts we closely align and cooperate with Precisely Strategic Services.
Precisely Strategic Services developed an extensive methodology with instruments to help you to clearly articulate the strategy, business case and metrics that will quickly deliver value to your organization.
The Data Excellence approach we advocate is in line with the ideas of Jean-Paul Otte, who heads the Precisely Data Strategic Services in Europe. As a former CDO in several companies, the challenges he faced developed his data governance expertise and his unique perspective resulting in his Data Excellence approach.
Jean-Paul Otte,
Precisely Data Strategic Services
“As companies have matured, so has my vision and approach to the subject. The main lesson I’ve learned, and which is still valid today, is that you need to involve the whole organization in this transformation program, from the executive committee down to every user or producer of data in the company. Leaving someone by the wayside is not an option!”
