Tom Estella
Managing Director
Tom is a managing director in CapTech's Atlanta office and leads our firm's machine learning initiatives. He has deep experience scoping, measuring, and creating Advanced Analytical solutions
Articles | November 11, 2021
Unlocking Value from Data-Driven Decision Making
Author CapTech
Companies want to use data to drive decision making and value creation. But data maturity and cross-organizational alignment is often lacking.
Instead of focusing on deep data analysis and value-added applications, many organizations are playing a shell game: they are repeatedly migrating their data from point A to point B, investing in shiny new tools, or reshuffling their organizational structures. While efforts like these can be part of a company’s journey to maximize data’s worth, without underlying data integrity and alignment on business purpose, it’s impossible to gain any real return on data investments.
Achieving that ROI was the theme of a recent CapTech study, conducted to gain a better understanding of how executives are using data to close the gap between insights and action. Though most study participants claim they are actively using data to make decisions, an overarching theme became clear: they’re struggling to use their current data to its fullest potential—and there are a variety of reasons why.
A GROWING SENSE OF DISSATISFACTION
Our research demonstrates that the majority of executives strive to use data to drive decision- making—67% of companies claim they’re gaining at least some actionable insights. But while data’s potential is enticing, many leaders are not satisfied with their data investment; in fact, 42% of participants said they aren’t using their data and reporting tools to their full potential.
Survey respondents showed a strong understanding of data’s potential, recognizing its inherent value in creating competitive differentiation. More specifically, leaders planned to prioritize data for revenue growth and operational efficiencies in the near-term future. They also recognized that better customer segmentation would grant them deeper insights to enhance the customer experience.
Those first points speak to insufficient data architecture and governance, while the last one shows how shifting legal winds can impact a company’s best-laid plans. The data privacy regulations dovetail seamlessly with business leaders’ frustrations around their failures to improve the customer experience—it’s yet another roadblock, along with a lack of true customer segmentation, that cripples their efforts. Even though nearly 88% of participants said data influences their company’s decision-making process with customer segmentation, almost a quarter (21%) noted their company is not using advanced analytics to understand and shape customer journeys.
When participants were asked what they could gain with data that they’re lacking now, a lack of customer data confidence was evident in their responses.
- “Better customer segmentation and behavior analysis at a segment level.”
- “A much more reasonable knowledge of our client base.”
- “Better mapping of the customer journey and customer life-cycles.”
- “Reaching new markets and prompting action on the part of potential consumers.”
These company leaders know that deeper customer insights are buried, like needles in myriad haystacks, within the data they’ve captured. But many don’t have the data maturity to uncover those customer insights with a true sense of accuracy—which can lead to a frustrating sense of inaction.
STEPS TO TAKE TOWARD DATA MATURITY
To realize data’s full potential to drive decision- making, a company first has to undergo the growing pains that come with reaching data maturity. It’s a journey that can take years. Understandably, leaders aren’t that patient, especially given their data investment, as noted in our survey. But without doing necessary groundwork, the shell game we spoke of at the outset can easily become an unsatisfying cycle.
According to research by Experian, only 11% of companies have mature data skills and capabilities. This helps explain the dissatisfaction we heard from our own study participants—and reinforces the need to be judicious.
The classic baseball analogy comes to mind: companies want to hit data home runs when they should initially be striving for singles and doubles. Less mature organizations may simply need to get on base, which translates to tackling data efficiency first; more mature organizations can swing for the fences, leveraging advanced analytics and applications like machine learning and predictive modeling.
Every company can reach data maturity and ultimately fulfill potential by taking concrete steps.
THE PATH STARTS WITH A DATA ASSESSMENT
It can be difficult to find the right starting point, but for many companies, a data assessment provides a valuable compass. This approach helps companies determine their current baseline and the appropriate future state for each dimension of their data strategy.
A key lesson learned from our clients is to rigorously prioritize. It is not necessary or cost efficient for a company to be fully realized in every aspect of their data strategy; rather, organizations should be selective in identifying where differentiation will create the most value.
With the blueprint from a data assessment in place, companies can begin closing gaps and building toward their desired state one piece at a time. Mastery of the most important components in sequence will result in better outcomes more quickly than pursuing multiple pieces at once.
All journeys will look different and happen on a unique timeline, but with a thoughtful plan and deliberate prioritization, every company can unlock the potential for data to drive better decisions for their business.
The methodology for our study included SurveyMonkey; recruiting via CINT, Dynata, and CapTech; and a qualitative approach. Our team spoke with 27 chief executives and senior leaders across data, information, and technology from organizations with 5000+ employees.
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Ben Harden
Principal
Ben leads our Data & Analytics practice and specializes in delivering enterprise-scale data warehousing solutions using the Agile Scrum methodology. He has been consulting with Fortune 500 clients on data and analytics solutions for over 18 years.
Vinnie Schoenfelder
Principal, CTO
Vinnie is a Principal at CapTech and plays a large role in helping define services,
forge partnerships, and lead innovation for our clients. As a thought leader, he
regularly helps clients solve their most complex business challenges.
