{"id":33763,"date":"2025-04-03T07:07:16","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T06:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/?post_type=article&#038;p=33763"},"modified":"2025-05-06T09:21:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T08:21:23","slug":"why-analysts-stay-stuck-in-execution-mode","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/articles\/why-analysts-stay-stuck-in-execution-mode\/","title":{"rendered":"Why analysts stay stuck in execution mode"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_33814\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-33814\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-33814\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-content\/uploads\/david-castro-gavino-headshot-300x300.png\" alt=\"David Castro-Gavino, Global Vice President of Data, HelloFresh SE\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-content\/uploads\/david-castro-gavino-headshot-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-content\/uploads\/david-castro-gavino-headshot-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-content\/uploads\/david-castro-gavino-headshot-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-content\/uploads\/david-castro-gavino-headshot.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-33814\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David Castro-Gavino, Global Vice President of Data, HelloFresh SE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Despite the growing appetite for data-driven decision-making, many analytics <\/span>teams remain stuck in delivery mode\u2014churning out dashboards, answering ad hoc requests, and rarely shaping the strategic conversations they could meaningfully influence.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At a recent roundtable hosted by DataIQ\u2019s <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Discussion<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, I moderated a session that captured this tension exactly. A UK energy business posed the core question:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How can we shift the perception of analysts from order-takers to trusted strategic advisors?<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The challenge was instantly recognisable to everyone in the room. Stakeholders now <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">expect<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> data support, but they don\u2019t always engage with the analyst function in ways that allow it to contribute strategically. What emerged was a set of shared barriers\u2014and some encouraging signs of progress.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here are two of the most persistent challenges we explored.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Trust in Data: The Root of the Problem<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Key Issues Identified<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stakeholders request data to validate decisions they\u2019ve already made, not to explore options<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Slightly reworded requests for the same metric signal a lack of data fluency\u2014and a lack of trust<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Analysts become fact-checkers, not advisors, constantly reconciling inconsistent numbers<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Data quality ownership is unclear\u2014business users expect data teams to fix problems they didn\u2019t cause<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What\u2019s Shifting the Dial<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0In organisations where trust in data is strong, three things stand out:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Data quality ownership sits where the data is produced<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, not where it\u2019s consumed. When upstream teams are responsible for accuracy and completeness, analysts are freed up to deliver value, not just spot errors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Structured request templates<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> make a real difference. One leader shared how they now require business users to define the problem they\u2019re trying to solve <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">before<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> asking for data. That small change reframes the analyst\u2019s role from passive responder to active partner.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Analysts are embedded into business teams<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, not siloed in central functions. This proximity builds trust, and makes it easier to challenge flawed assumptions before they make it into the PowerPoint.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ultimately, <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">trust isn\u2019t just technical &#8211; it\u2019s relational<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Governance and lineage help, but what shifts the dial is analysts being seen, and treated, as close collaborators.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Culture Is the Real Battleground<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Key Issues Identified<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Analysts hesitate to challenge senior stakeholders\u2014even when requests lack clarity<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Many default to task execution, avoiding strategic conversations<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Business leaders don\u2019t always know how to use analysts beyond report delivery<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Analysts are often measured on speed, not business impact\u2014reinforcing the service role<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What\u2019s Shifting the Dial<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Culture isn\u2019t solved with tooling or training alone. It starts with changing how the organisation sees the analyst role\u2014and how analysts see themselves.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A few themes stood out:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Embedding analysts within business functions<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> helps create the context and confidence needed to speak up. When analysts understand the strategic goals, they\u2019re more able\u2014and more willing\u2014to challenge misaligned requests.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Performance metrics are evolving<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Rather than measuring output volume or speed, some teams are starting to evaluate analysts on the <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">impact<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> of their work: did the insight change a decision? Did it move a KPI?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Training is being rethought<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. It\u2019s no longer just about tools or SQL. The focus is shifting to stakeholder management, consultative thinking, and storytelling\u2014skills that help analysts become participants in decision-making, not just observers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Finally, <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">executive sponsorship<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> matters. Leaders who position analysts as strategic partners\u2014and model that behaviour\u2014give others permission to do the same.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"3\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Other Themes That Emerged<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">External resourcing<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> can help\u2014but only if it\u2019s used to <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">build<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> internal maturity, not bypass it<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Self-service analytics<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> often creates more dashboards, not better decisions\u2014unless it\u2019s intentionally designed<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Career paths for analysts<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> need to allow for strategic influence without requiring a move into management<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Final Thought<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You can\u2019t shortcut your way to strategic influence. But you <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">can<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> start shifting expectations -of analysts, of stakeholders, and of leadership itself. The more we treat analytics as a thinking partner, not a delivery function, the closer we get to the value we all want it to unlock.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Want the full insight?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This article is part of a three-part series available exclusively to DataIQ clients via the Member Hub.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the full series, we break down the key barriers holding analysts in execution mode, share real-world case studies from senior data leaders, and outline a practical roadmap for making the shift to strategic influence.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Access the complete series \u2013 along with over 600 articles, case studies and best-practice guides \u2013 at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hub.dataiq.global\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">DataIQ Member Hub<\/span><\/b><\/a><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\n<em>Interested in working with DataIQ? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/what-dataiq-does\/\">Find out more here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Analytics teams remain stuck in delivery mode rather than shaping strategic conversations, but this can be remedied with trust and culture according to David Castro-Gavino, Global Vice President of Data, HelloFresh SE.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":33815,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[129,398],"tags":[],"pillar":[194],"class_list":["post-33763","article","type-article","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorial","category-public","pillar-leadership"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-22 10:54:03","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/33763","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33763"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/33763\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35112,"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/33763\/revisions\/35112"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33763"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33763"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33763"},{"taxonomy":"pillar","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dataiq.global\/devstage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pillar?post=33763"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}