The Doyle Group recently hosted a panel featuring data management experts with proven years of experience in the data management industry. This panel was the third and final session in the 2024 Data Insights series, and covered a wide range of data management topics, such as the importance of robust data governance, how to foster collaboration between technical and non-technical teams, and which strategies are most effective for ensuring data accuracy and reliability. To access part one and part two of the series, please click on the corresponding links.

The two panelists featured in part three were:

• Sujan Turlapaty, Chief Digital Information Officer at Verdantas
• Christopher MacCabe, Director of Data Governance and Analytics at Ball Corporation

Data Management Discussion Highlights

As in the previous two panels, Doyle Group founder Andrew Doyle served as the discussion moderator. Here are some key questions that were considered, along with the panelists’ insights:

How do you define the role of data in driving business outcomes today, and what do you see as the most significant challenges organizations face in managing their data effectively?

Chris: “How do we use [data] to drive outcomes? It’s making informed decisions. How are we optimizing operations? How are we looking at gaining a competitive advantage? I think those are questions that people have been asking, at least for as long as I’ve been around, but I think the focus now on data is, there’s a lot more of it, and how are you getting access to it? … To me, the biggest challenge is siloed communication… How are we getting people the right information? How are we getting them to try to answer the right question, and are they using the right data sources?”

Sujan: “I know many companies, many vendors come in and provide different platforms… with the solution to bring all [this data] together, but still, the fundamentals of, okay, what data makes sense? What data can you use to make a decision? And what data can you actually use in your core business processes? …Those fundamental approaches have to still be very much intact.”

Looking ahead, what trends do you believe will have the biggest impact on how organizations approach data management and strategy in the next five years?

Sujan: “[AI strategy] is not an option… you have to be doing it. The reason why is… it’s much easier for users to consume it. If you were to ask any programmer, the most popular program language today is English — not Python, not Java, not C#, all the things that we’ve seen over the years. It’s English, because you’re able to ask a question [and] you’re getting back responses in English.”

What shifts in organizational culture or mindset are required to keep up with the growing importance of data as a strategic asset?

Sujan: “It all comes down to people… That doesn’t change… Finding those trailblazers or champions within the organization is very critical so that you can start to build on their risk-taking, and their saying: ‘Okay, I want to try something new.’ You need those [people] from the business [aspect].”

Chris: “Data’s not really a function of IT anymore… I think trying to show [data tools] as an IT-only or an IT-focused organization is gonna slow us down. It’s about, are we identifying the business priorities? Are we trying to align what we are doing to best partner and fulfill that demand? …[Data] is owned cross-functionally. We have to be able to enable that.”

What are the key elements of a strong data governance framework, and how can organizations implement governance without slowing down their ability to innovate?

Chris: “[Data governance] is not, let’s sit down, let’s define a customer and then figure out the applications, or how to best model [it]. It’s what are we trying to achieve. How do we start applying a data governance framework to that? Because that’s where it’s seen as an enabler and not a tollgate… The tagline I like to try and use with people is: Data governance is trying to define what we’re talking about, and where do we want to get it from? And once people understand that concept of it, it’s a lot easier for them to work with you.”

How do you see the role of data governance evolving as organizations become more reliant on real-time data and interconnected systems?

Chris: “It’s embedding it as part of the process. Rather than it being an afterthought at the end of a line, or as we try to work through a solution and then come back and do it, it’s how are we going through it, looking at what type of information are we using, what’s the lifecycle of it, and asking those questions.”

Sujan: “[Data governance] has to be part of the process. Data [needs to be] tied to the process… and the structure around that, whether it’s real-time data or near real-time.”

What advice would you give to other leaders on fostering collaboration between technical and non-technical teams when it comes to data projects?

Chris: “In all honesty, I think [Agile methodology] gets a bad rap sometimes. People think it’s… IT-speak, and what’s the value of doing it? So what I find is: Who’s your translator? What are you really trying to do? How do you get someone who understands how you’re trying to deliver something, and then saying it in a way that [resonates with] a business person?”

Sujan: “Just understanding the business, speaking the business language, going down to the process level even before you talk about technology… You’re changing the conversation, as the co-creator of solutions.”

In your experience, what are the most effective strategies for ensuring data accuracy, reliability, and consistency, particularly in large-scale or fast-paced environments?

Sujan: “Data projects need a foundation. They need to have a strong platform to build on… [You need to have] proper checks and balances and controls in place. Then, you build your analytics later on top of it… That’s where proper business engagement comes in.”

Chris: “Data quality is everyone’s responsibility… Who are the stewards who are trying to maintain it? …For us, the most effective strategy is: This is now a shared environment. It’s not just one team vs. the other, [but] this quality is actually everyone’s responsibility.”

Learn More About Data Governance

Want to learn more about how to develop effective data governance frameworks and data quality strategies? Hear lessons learned from Chris and Sujan’s years of experience in the industry by listening to the full panel discussion here. To stay up to date on future events that The Doyle Group hosts, follow us on LinkedIn, or join our online community, the briDGe. And if you need help finding the right data professionals to meet your business needs, reach out to The Doyle Group today.