The Tools & Processes Components of Data Maturity

WebinarAugust 2022

In this fourth and final session of our data maturity webinar series, we cover in great detail how data tools and better processes can be leveraged across the data maturity spectrum.

As supporting layers of the IPTOP framework, investing in the tools and processes that allow people to do their best work with data is essential to making it to the final stages of data maturity.

Throughout the session, we discussed the organization’s relationship with tools across the maturity spectrum, how it enables democratized data insights, how to set up processes that work across the data team, and more.

Key takeaways:

A detailed overview of how to approach data tools across the maturity spectrum
How a framework and template-based approach accelerates data culture
Examples of tooling innovation from data-driven organizations

Please make sure to watch the previous sessions in this webinar series:

(1) The Five Dimensions of Data Maturity

(2) The Infrastructure Component of Data Maturity

(3) The People and Organization Components of Data Maturity

Summary

The Data Maturity webinar series has provided a comprehensive guide for organizations aiming to become data-driven. As data generation continues to increase rapidly, many organizations are investing in data science and AI to extract value from this data. However, they often face difficulties due to lack of skills and cultural barriers. The IPTOP model (Infrastructure, People, Tools, Organization, Processes) offers a structured approach to data maturity. The model emphasizes the development of data literacy, improving infrastructure, and creating a culture of continuous learning and innovation. The series also highlights the need to democratize data access and integrate modern tools and processes to support data-driven decision-making.

Key Takeaways:

The IPTOP model is crucial for assessing and achieving data maturity in organizations.
Developing data literacy, improving infrastructure, and continuous learning are key to becoming data-driven.
Organizations should prioritize modern tools and inclusive processes to democratize data access.
Cultural and skill-related barriers are significant challenges to achieving data maturity.
Innovation in data teams can be achieved through models, agile processes, and knowledge sharing.

Deep Dives

Importance of Data Literacy

As data generation exceeds traditional processing capabilities, the need for data literacy has become essential. Data literacy involves providing individuals across an organization with the skills to interpret, analyze, and effectively use data. The IPTOP model emphasizes that investing in people, along with infrastructure, is k ...
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ey to creating a data-driven culture. According to Accenture, a significant 48% of employees still rely on gut instinct over data-driven decision-making, emphasizing the need for extensive data literacy initiatives. Prioritizing data literacy can help organizations close the gap between potential and performance, enabling employees to make decisions informed by data that drive business value.

Infrastructure and Data Quality

Infrastructure is a key component of the IPTOP model, serving as the foundation for data maturity. With data stored in various systems and lacking centralized storage, organizations often struggle with data accessibility and quality. Organizations must establish a strong infrastructure strategy, prioritizing centralized data storage, data governance, and quality checks. As highlighted by Sudamanthopan Mohan Chandralal, investments in technology are useless without the necessary data culture and skilled personnel to utilize them. By addressing infrastructure challenges, organizations can ensure data is trusted, usable, and actionable, laying the groundwork for efficient data-driven operations and decision-making.

Tools and Processes for Data Democratization

Modern tools and inclusive processes are key to democratizing data access and empowering employees to work with data effectively. The webinar highlighted the need for models that simplify data usage across different organizational roles. Models should simplify complex tasks, enabling quicker insights. For example, organizations like Airbnb have developed notebook templates for various data tasks, reducing the learning curve for employees. Similarly, providing modern tools such as open-source languages can lead to cost savings and efficiency. By creating standardized templates and promoting agile processes, organizations can accelerate data-driven innovation and collaboration.

Overcoming Cultural Barriers

Despite significant investments in data initiatives, many organizations fall short of achieving data maturity due to cultural and skill-related barriers. The IPTOP model encourages organizations to focus on cultivating a supportive data culture that aligns with technological advancements. According to New Vantage Partners, only 26% of organizations claim to be data-driven, with 92% citing skills and culture as primary obstacles. To overcome these challenges, organizations must prioritize executive support, reward change agents, and promote an environment of continuous learning and innovation. By aligning organizational culture with data-driven goals, companies can create a unified strategy that maximizes the value of their data investments.