Data is the lifeblood of a modern organisation. Ensuring you have the right data in the right place at the time is a business imperative. When this happens, you can say you are acing the last data mile.

1. Connecting [people] with [data]
Ace the Last Data Mile: Getting Started
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2. Ace the Last Data Mile
In this presentation you learn:
• What is a Data Steering Group (DSG)
• Who should be members
• Who should a DSG report to
• Who should be the chairperson
• How DSG interacts with digital transformation initiatives
• What to expect from initial meetings
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3. Ace the Last Data Mile
A Data Steering Group is a purpose-built conduit to
[connect] people with [data]
• A meeting point to discuss all things data
• Raise awareness of data, and how and where it is required
• Breakdown resistance to change by focusing on data – an
asset by its nature that is neutral
• Reflect on how transformation impacts the communication
process and what this means for the transmission of data
• Promote a governance framework for handling and
securing data assets around an organisation
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4. Ace the Last Data Mile
Members of a Data Steering Group should include:
• Representation from functional and business units across
the enterprise
• Data Champions to promote best data practices
• Data Provocateurs who want to bring about change and
raise data standards
• Individuals from the trenches who understand the reality of
working on the front line
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5. Ace the Last Data Mile
Should a Data Steering Group include C-level executives?
• A DSG requires executive muscle to make things happen
• The group should be report to a C-level executive (or into a
Digital Transformation working group)
• There should be a balance of personnel to ensure business
goals are translated into consistent operational actions
• Remember: a key DSG role is to facilitate change
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6. Ace the Last Data Mile
Considerations when Selecting a DSG Chairperson
• Like data, the chairperson needs to be neutral and free
from any vested data interests
• Avoid a position where the chairperson appears to be a
combination of judge and jury
• Key skill sets include effective management of meetings,
dealing with conflict and the promotion of an open but
robust discussion on data issues
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7. Ace the Last Data Mile
How does a DSG interact with transformation initiatives?
• A DSG is a fundamental component of a digital
transformation initiative
• It is a discrete working group that focuses solely on data,
and determines what data changes – often prerequisites –
are necessary for a successful transformation
• A DSG is an environment for data modelling and to stress
test proposed alterations to existing processes
• If you do not have a transformation initiative, then a DSG is
a first step towards embarking on one
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8. Ace the Last Data Mile
What conclusions can you expect to draw from initial Data
Steering Group meetings?[Part 1]
• A discovery process is required to act as a foundation stone
for future discussion of data issues
• Functions and/or business units working with a silo
mentality act as a constraint to the effective flow of data
• Perceptions as to what data is required by customers
and/or colleagues are often wide of the mark
• The extent to which data errors and/or omissions impair
productivity elsewhere within the organisation
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9. Ace the Last Data Mile
What conclusions can you expect to draw from initial Data
Steering Group meetings? [Part 2]
• Data errors and/or omissions are more frequent than
previously imagined
• Front line staff solve data problems, but underlying issues
are not resolved or brought to the attention of senior
management in a timely manner
• There is a wealth of data, and content, that could be
deployed to enhance the customer experience
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10. Ace the Last Data Mile
What conclusions can you expect to draw from initial Data
Steering Group meetings? [Part 3]
• There are inadequate data standards and process rules
• IT resources might be better deployed on solving data
rather than technology issues
• The absence of a robust governance programme to handle
and secure data assets
• A DSG is NOT a forum to talk about who owns the data
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11. Ace the Last Data Mile
To deliver the right data to the right place at the right time
– to ace the last data mile –
requires a transformation in the approach taken
to managing data within an organisation
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12. CONNECTING [PEOPLE] WITH [DATA]
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