How are you developing the data literacy of your organization, including the skills of your data teams and of your business stakeholders?
The role of data is crucial in driving any digital transformation and building useful data products and applications. However, in most organizations this is not very explicit. Hence, I have been driving data literacy within my organization at different levels, including with organization leadership, data practitioners, and the entire workforce who are generally users of several applications.
At the leadership level, my focus has been on educating leaders about the essential role of data as the foundation for analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and generative AI (genAI) capabilities. This involves emphasizing the need to invest in data, driving business cases that highlight the critical role of data and thereby gaining visible support and necessary resources for these workstreams.
We have developed a comprehensive roadmap, shared it across the organization, and established the right structure while hiring the appropriate talent. This highlights the importance of a strong data strategy and management, lending credibility to our organization’s data-centric focus.
I have established a data governance council that provides regular updates to top leadership, showcasing the progress made and how a robust data foundation facilitates analytics, automation, and AI. This firsthand demonstration is crucial for the organization to recognize the importance of data and its role in driving development.
I have implemented a Data and Analytics Council, focusing on running training programs and webinars for basic data education and sharing best data management practices. These initiatives benefit both direct and indirect stakeholders, fostering a better understanding and appreciation of data across teams. We consistently leverage our data vendor partners to conduct regular training programs across the organization, helping to upskill our workforce effectively.
As part of annual objectives, my team members are encouraged to obtain formal certifications in data management, strategy, quality, stewardship, and more, and attend industry conferences to stay updated on advancements in the field.
Driving data literacy across the organization requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing various initiatives that work cohesively to foster a culture of data literacy within the organization.