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Douglas B Laney, Innovation Fellow, Data and Analytics Strategy, West Monroe

Describe your career to date

I am a best-selling author and recognized authority on data and analytics strategy. I advise senior IT, business and data leaders on data monetization and valuation, data management and governance, external data strategies, analytics best practices, and establishing data and analytics organizations.  

My book, Infonomics: How to Monetize, Manage, and Measure Information for Competitive Advantage, was selected by CIO Magazine as the “Must-Read Book of the Year,” a “Top 5 Books for Business Leaders and Tech Innovators,” and by the Wall Street Journal as one of its “5 Summer Reads for CIOs.” My latest book, Data Juice: 101 Real-World Stories of How Organizations Are Squeezing Value From Available Data Assets has received accolades from business, data, analytics, and IT executives and practitioners around the world.  

I am now the Data and Analytics Strategy Innovation Fellow with the consulting firm West Monroe, previously I was a Distinguished Analyst with Gartner’s Chief Data Officer research and advisory team and was a three-time Gartner annual thought leadership award recipient. Additionally, I launched and managed the Deloitte Analytics Institute, am a Forbes contributing writer, and have been published in the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times among other journals.  

I guest-lecture at major business schools around the world and am a visiting professor with the University of Illinois Gies College of Business where I teach Infonomics and Business Analytics Executive Overview. I co-chair the annual MIT Chief Data Officer Symposium, am on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. I am a member of the World Economic Forum’s data exchange initiative, a member of the American Economic Association, and sit on various tech company advisory boards. 

What challenges do you see for data in the year ahead that will have an impact on your clients and on the industry as a whole?  

The primary upcoming challenges this year revolve around achieving and managing the exponential growth of data and data usage, particularly with artificial intelligence (AI) apps, while ensuring privacy and security, and bridging the skills gap.  

Additionally, the industry must navigate the complexities of monetizing data while adhering to evolving regulatory requirements. These challenges not only impact my work in advising on data strategy and infonomics but also influence the broader industry’s ability to innovate and derive value from data assets. Addressing these issues is crucial for sustaining competitive advantage and fostering trust in data-driven decisions. 

How are you developing the data literacy of a) your own organization and b) your clients? 

Organizations are recognizing the need to bridge the data literacy gap, leading to increased investments in training and organizational change management programs for a diverse workforce. This includes cross-training between business analysts, data scientists, and executives, with support from academia and consulting firms.  

The industry is adopting a new digital language, emphasizing the importance of being fluent in data. This shift towards data literacy is essential for going beyond basic BI to leverage data as an actual strategic asset, fostering a culture of data-driven innovation. Winners will be those organizations that can speak data freely. 

How do you see the industry preparing for AI adoption and change management? 

The industry is preparing for AI adoption and change management by emphasizing the human-centric approach, addressing challenges such as fear of job displacement, lack of understanding, resistance to change, and ethical concerns. Organizations are empowering employees, ensuring ethical practices, and bridging the knowledge gap through comprehensive training and resources.  

Change managers play a pivotal role in educating individuals about the consequences of poor data security, fostering a culture of adaptability, and translating the benefits of AI into understandable terms. They also develop comprehensive change management strategies, empower employees, and ensure transparency and ethical guidelines are in place. AI is being leveraged to drive successful digital transformations through intelligent platforms, enhanced employee experiences, predictive analytics, human-AI collaboration, ethical considerations, agile practices, and continuous learning. The future trends include intelligent change management platforms, enhanced employee experience, and ethical AI and bias mitigation. 

Douglas B Laney
has been included in:
  • 100 Enablers 2024 (USA)
  • 100 Influencers 2022 (USA)