Using Processes to Open Data and Empower People - Linkdex Think Tank 'Going Beyond The Data'

Linkdex Think Tank 'Going Beyond The Data' | 4th July 2014
Mind the Gap!
/ / Using Processes
to Open Data and
Empower People

Using Processes to Open Data and Empower People | 4th July 2014
@mocwoods
@WMGagency
Hello!

Summary
// Wasted Data (Identifying how a business wastes data)
// Understanding why it is still happening (Understanding why
businesses find tackling wasted data difficult)
// Researching opportunities (How to identify areas where
process and data can add value, and how do this)
// Developing processes (How to create frameworks,
environments and processes in order to open data & empower
people to capitalise on their data)

Waste Data

We all hate waste,
don’t we?

Data is no
different to any
other precious
resource, we’ll
only miss it when
it’s gone!

But how do we
waste data?

// Emails
// Static Files
// Knowledge
// Silo Working
// Inaccessible Databases
// Poor Categorisation and Segmentation
// Inaccuracy
// Lack of Integrated Systems

“Data is the new oil?
No: Data is the new soil.”
David McCandless, TEDGlobal, 2010

But why does this
data suddenly matter?

It doesn’t!

It’s just that more people
understand the advantages
of using data to make
tactical, analytically-driven
decisions.

So what’s stopping
everyone using this
beautiful data?

Just some of the problems we all face;
// Resource & Budgets
// Company Culture
// Legacy Infrastructure
// DTD & MTM Targets
// Lack of Foresight - Long Term Planning

That’s a lot to deal with,
and we haven’t even
mentioned the
biggest problem…

People!
How do you get that
important ‘buy-in’ with
people in your business?

Good Question!
Firstly, the most important
task is to ensure that you
don’t make fellow workers
feel that you’re
working against them.

They will become the biggest asset in the
battle to empower the business with data
driven analysis.

But where do you start?

Researching existing
workflows, process, data,
analytics and people?

It depends…
Every business is
different, and unfortunately
no one method fits all.

So before things get messy
let’s introduce agile for
recording and managing
everything.

There are lots to choose from…

Researching
Trying to do everything at
once will be overwhelming;
start small with departments & teams.

Don’t try to
think too big at
this stage, or
you’ll miss
something!

Make sure you
// Listen
// Ask Questions
// Look for Opportunities
// Make Notes

But whatever you do…

Don’t make any enemies - it’s very
easily done!

You will need them in the future to build,
manage and maintain your new data driven
stuff.

OK, perhaps this is more realistic.
After all,
they’ll be
doing those
necessary
jobs that
you need
doing

Only Joe King!

Our overall goal is to ideally
make everyone’s workload
easier, at the same time as
enabling data-driven decision
making across a company.

Your analysis and
strategic decisions are
only as good as your data.

Existing Data
Find out what you already have
// Where it is currently stored?
// How is it created?
// Who uses it?
// How accurate is it?
// How easy it is to access?
// Is it secure?

Processes and Dependencies
Conduct a full audit of your existing processes and
dependencies
// Look at what works and doesn’t work
// Are they sustainable, manageable, reliable, affordable
and scalable?
// Who is responsible for them?
// What is the skill level of those using them?

Planning
Flow charts are your friend - they
will help you connect it all together.
Establish if existing solutions/platforms
will allow the data to be shared with
analytically driven processes.

APIs are your friend when it comes to
integration, and will ultimately
empower businesses.
In the same way, better
communications between humans
brings success, and the same
can be said for technology.
If your current platforms are crap, don’t
be afraid to say so, and find new ones.

But whatever you do…
Don’t forget people should
be at the start and the end
of this journey.
If people can’t use your stuff
then no matter how great it is,
it won’t work.

“If we do not create excellent infrastructure,
frameworks, processes, training and
environments for real people to use, we will
never bridge the gap between data and
analytically-driven opportunities.”

Linkdex Think Tank 'Going Beyond The Data' | 4th July 2014
Questions?
Martin Woods
Head of Technical & Insight at WMG
@mocwoods
@WMGagency

Using Processes to Open Data and Empower People - Linkdex Think Tank 'Going Beyond The Data'

More Related Content

Viewers also liked

Similar to Using Processes to Open Data and Empower People - Linkdex Think Tank 'Going Beyond The Data'

Recently uploaded

Using Processes to Open Data and Empower People - Linkdex Think Tank 'Going Beyond The Data'