Using Processes to Open Data and Empower People - Linkdex Think Tank Going Beyond The Data

Linkdex Think Tank 'Going Beyond The Data' | 4th July 2014

Mind the Gap! / / Using Processes to Open Data and Empower People

Using Processes to Open Data and Empower People | 4th July 2014

@mocwoods

@WMGagency

Hello!

Summary


// Wasted Data (Identifying how a business wastes data)

// Understanding why it is still happening (Understanding why

businesses find tackling wasted data difficult)

// Researching opportunities (How to identify areas where

process and data can add value, and how do this)

// Developing processes (How to create frameworks,

environments and processes in order to open data & empower

people to capitalise on their data)

Waste Data



We all hate waste,

don’t we?

Data is no

different to any

other precious

resource, we’ll

only miss it when

it’s gone!Using Processes to Open Data and Empower People | 4th July 2014

But how do we

waste data?


// Emails

// Static Files

// Knowledge

// Silo Working

// Inaccessible Databases

// Poor Categorisation and Segmentation

// Inaccuracy

// Lack of Integrated Systems


“Data is the new oil? No: Data is the new soil.”

David McCandless, TEDGlobal, 2010


But why does this data suddenly matter?


It doesn’t!


It’s just that more people understand the advantages of using data to make tactical, analytically-driven decisions.


So what’s stopping everyone using this beautiful data?


Just some of the problems we all face;

// Resource & Budgets// Company Culture // Legacy Infrastructure// DTD & MTM Targets// Lack of Foresight - Long Term Planning


That’s a lot to deal with, and we haven’t even mentioned the biggest problem…


People!

How do you get that important ‘buy-in’ with people in your business?


Good Question!

Firstly, the most important task is to ensure that you don’t make fellow workers feel that you’re working against them.


They will become the biggest asset in the battle to empower the business with data driven analysis.


But where do you start?



Researching existing workflows, process, data, analytics and people?

It depends…

Every business is different, and unfortunately no one method fits all.


So before things get messy let’s introduce agile for recording and managingeverything.


There are lots to choose from…



Researching

Trying to do everything at once will be overwhelming;start small with departments & teams.


Don’t try to think too big at this stage, or you’ll miss something!

Make sure you

// Listen// Ask Questions// Look for Opportunities// Make Notes


But whatever you do…


Don’t make any enemies - it’s very easily done!



You will need them in the future to build, manage and maintain your new data driven stuff.

OK, perhaps this is more realistic.


After all, they’ll be doing those necessary jobs that you need doing


Only Joe King!


Our overall goal is to ideally

make everyone’s workload

easier, at the same time as

enabling data-driven decision

making across a company.

Your analysis and strategic decisions are only as good as your data.



Existing Data

Find out what you already have// Where it is currently stored?// How is it created?// Who uses it?// How accurate is it?// How easy it is to access?// Is it secure?

Processes and Dependencies

Conduct a full audit of your existing processes and dependencies

// Look at what works and doesn’t work// Are they sustainable, manageable, reliable, affordableand scalable?// Who is responsible for them?// What is the skill level of those using them?



Planning

Flow charts are your friend - they will help you connect it all together.

Establish if existing solutions/platforms will allow the data to be shared with analytically driven processes.

APIs are your friend when it comes to integration, and will ultimately empower businesses.

In the same way, better communications between humans brings success, and the same can be said for technology.

If your current platforms are crap, don’t be afraid to say so, and find new ones.


But whatever you do…

Don’t forget people should be at the start and the endof this journey.

If people can’t use your stuffthen no matter how great it is, it won’t work.


“If we do not create excellent infrastructure, frameworks, processes, training and environments for real people to use, we will never bridge the gap between data andanalytically-driven opportunities.”


Linkdex Think Tank 'Going Beyond The Data' | 4th July 2014

Questions?Martin Woods

Head of Technical & Insight at WMG

@mocwoods

@WMGagency

Marketing

Using Processes to Open Data and Empower People - Linkdex Think Tank Going Beyond The Data