In 2023 I was asked as an external advisor to review 12 data strategies for companies that had been sitting on the shelf gathering dust. All were created by external consultancies.<\/p>\n
What I found were three key trends:<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49The majority were focused on data use cases and not business use cases
\n\ud83d\udc49Approx. 80% were focused on building a data platform (technology)
\n\ud83d\udc49None of them outlined how the strategy would be made real through an “Operating Model”.<\/p>\n
In the realm of data strategies, complexity often becomes the Achilles’ heel, that hinders successful execution.<\/p>\n
What tends to occur through this complexity is the client suffers from what is called the “Implementation Gap” – the reality that the output provided by the consultant cannot be implemented due to it’s complexity.<\/p>\n
Why does this happen?<\/p>\n
With that complexity comes five fatal flaws and hence the client puts the data strategy on the shelf.<\/p>\n
Here are those flaws and how to navigate the “Implementation Gap”:<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49Client-Centric Approach:
\nFlaw: Initiatives defined in terms of consultant products.\u274c
\nSolution: Tailor strategies to client needs, fostering a client-centric approach that prioritises their strategic goals over predefined solutions.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49Readiness for Change:
\nFlaw: Relying on subject matter logic, and overlooking client readiness for change.\u274c
\nSolution: Assess and enhance organisational readiness, ensuring a strategic alignment with the client’s capacity for transformation.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49Incremental Gain vs. Big Solutions:
\nFlaw: Output offering one big solution instead of incremental gains.\u274c
\nSolution: Advocate for a phased approach, delivering measurable improvements that build momentum and stakeholder buy-in.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49Building Genuine Partnerships:
\nFlaw: Lack of a real client\/consultant partnership.\u274c
\nSolution: Foster collaboration, communication, and trust, ensuring a true partnership that leverages collective expertise for mutual success.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49Optimising Consultant Contributions:
\nFlaw: Too many consultants in the mix.\u274c
\nSolution: Streamline consultant involvement, emphasising quality over quantity, and aligning their expertise with specific needs.<\/p>\n
Consultants get wrapped up in their own narrative and often believe they know best. That is not true at all. I have had to learn this myself through sweat, blood and tears!<\/p>\n
Addressing these fatal flaws will not only mitigate the “Implementation Gap” but also pave the way for a robust and executable data strategy.<\/p>\n
Have you suffered from this?<\/p>\n
If your answer is yes, then please get in touch and we can chat about my approach for a “Business Driven Data Strategy” that makes sense for your organisation and offers a results based view.<\/p>\n
Let’s bridge the implementation gap and make your data strategy a reality in 2024. There is much to do!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In 2023 I was asked as an external advisor to review 12 data strategies for companies that had been sitting on the shelf gathering dust. All were created by external consultancies. What I found were three key trends: \ud83d\udc49The majority were focused on data use cases and not business use cases \ud83d\udc49Approx. 80% were focused […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":546,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n