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Data Literacy

Building an Enterprise Data Strategy that Puts People First

March 2023

Your Presenter(s)

Cindi Howson

Chief Data & AI Strategy Officer at ThoughtSpot and host of The Data Chief podcast.

Cindi Howson is the Chief Data & AI Strategy Officer at ThoughtSpot and host of The Data Chief podcast.

Cindi is an analytics and BI thought leader and expert with a flair for bridging business needs with technology. As Chief Data Strategy Officer at ThoughtSpot, she advises top clients on data strategy and best practices to become data-driven, speaks internationally on top trends such as AI ethics, and influences ThoughtSpot’s product strategy.

Cindi was previously a Gartner research Vice President, as the lead author for the data and analytics maturity model and analytics and BI Magic Quadrant, and a popular keynote speaker. She introduced new research in data and AI for good, NLP/BI Search, and augmented analytics and brought both the BI bake offs and innovation panels to Gartner globally. She’s frequently quoted in MIT,Harvard Business Review, Information Week and is rated a top 12 influencer in big data and analytics by Analytics Insight, Onalytca, Solutions Review, and Humans of Data.

In 2022, CDO Magazine named her a Leading Data Consultant, and Global Data Power Woman. In 2021 she was named data leader of the year by Women in Data and as a finalist for motivator of the year by Women Leaders in Data and AI.

Prior to joining Gartner, she was founder of BI Scorecard, a resource for in-depth product reviews based on exclusive hands-on testing, contributor to Information Week, and the author of several books including: Successful Business Intelligence: Unlock the Value of BI & Big Data, Analytics Interpreted, and SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0: The Complete Reference.

She served as The Data Warehousing Institute (TDWI) faculty member for more than a decade. She serves on the board for Drexel University’s LeBow Business Analytics program and is a volunteer for Girls Plus Data, Women in Data, and the Mark Cuban Foundation, AI bootcamps.

Prior to founding BI Scorecard, Howson was a manager at Deloitte & Touche and a global BI standards leader for Dow Chemical. She has an MBA from Rice University.

Valerie Logan

CEO and Founder at The Data Lodge

Founding The Data Lodge in 2019, Valerie is committed to data literacy. She believes that in today's digital society, data literacy is a life skill. With advisory services, bootcamps, a resource library and community services at The Data Lodge, Valerie is certifying the world’s first Data Literacy Program Leads and pioneering the path forward in cracking the data culture code.

Previously, Valerie had joined Gartner in 2015 in the Data and Analytics group, where she covered information management strategies, advanced analytics and related change management topics. She was a member of the Office of the CDO research team, where she led Gartner’s Annual CDO Survey, as well as the CDO Circle executive training and networking event. She pioneered research in the area of Data Literacy and nurturing the “speaking of data” by creating Information as a Second Language (ISL). In 2018, she was awarded Gartner’s Top Thought Leadership Award for her leadership in the area of Data Literacy.

Summary

Constructing an enterprise data strategy that gives priority to people is vital for overcoming the obstacles of creating a data-driven organization. A central theme is the significance of data culture and literacy as important elements in aligning data strategies with business objectives. The conversation, led by experts Cindy Housen and Valerie Logan, emphasizes that the people component is frequently the most challenging aspect for data leaders. Cindy Housen, Chief Data Strategy Officer at ThoughtSpot, highlights the need to connect business needs with technology, focusing on AI ethics and data literacy. Valerie Logan, CEO of the Data Lodge, stresses data literacy as a life skill in today's digital society, advocating for its integration as a core element of organizational culture.

Key Takeaways:

Data culture and literacy are essential in forming a data-driven organization.
Aligning data strategy with business objectives requires a focus on people and culture.
Leadership involvement and mindset shifts are key for promoting data literacy.
Data literacy programs should involve all levels of an organization, from frontline workers to executives.
Quick wins and visible business value are vital for maintaining momentum in data initiatives.

Deep Dives

The Significance of Data Culture and Literacy

Data culture and literacy are identified as the primary challenges in developing a data-driven organization. Connecting the gap between data literacy and business objectives is imperative. Valerie Logan emphasizes, "Data literacy is a life skill," advocating for data to be seen as an integral part of all job roles. Cindy Housen adds that data literacy must evolve beyond technical skills to include business literacy, creating a comprehensive understanding of how data informs decision-making. This approach requires organizations to create a culture where data is accessible and actionable for all employees, requiring a commitment to change management and incentives aligned with business goals.

Leadership's Role in Data Literacy

Engaging senior leaders is vital in promoting data literacy across an organization. Valerie Logan notes the importance of leaders modeling data literacy to reinforce positive behaviors. Leadership engagement involves carving out time to educate leaders on their role as champions of data literacy, creating space for open dialogues about data challenges. Cindy Housen suggests that leaders need to focus on "the why" of data initiatives to demonstrate how data can drive revenue and reduce costs. This alignment helps mitigate fears surrounding data adoption, promoting an environment where data becomes a natural part of the organizational workflow.

Effective Data Literacy Programs

Creating a successful data literacy program involves a strategic approach that combines engagement, development, and enablement. Programs must move beyond traditional training to include communication strategies, branding, and gamification to promote community involvement. Valerie Logan describes a framework of defining executive data personas and encouraging leaders to advocate for data literacy. Engaging communities of practice and leveraging technology to enhance data fluency are important elements. As Valerie states, "A data literacy program is not just about skills; it's about creating an environment where people are engaged and empowered to use data effectively."

Achieving Quick Wins and Business Value

Maintaining momentum in data initiatives requires achieving quick wins that demonstrate visible business value. Cindy Housen stresses the significance of showing tangible results at least once a quarter to avoid burnout and keep stakeholders engaged. This approach involves starting small, focusing on specific departments or use cases, and rapidly scaling successful initiatives. The modern data stack allows for rapid experimentation and deployment, enabling organizations to iterate quickly and showcase the benefits of data-driven decision-making. Cindy highlights the need for organizations to communicate these successes broadly to promote a culture of data optimism and continuous improvement.