How to build a solid foundation for your next transformation project

Think back to your most recent digital transformation. No matter how large or small, no matter what the outcome was, think about the challenges that caused the biggest headaches. 

I can almost guarantee it will be something to do with your data. Whether that’s siloed data in different formats that could not be migrated easily. Or perhaps large volumes of duplicated data that hadn’t been accounted for. What about out-of-date or inaccurate data that meant your new technology struggled to deliver strong results?

Data is at the heart of every successful and (unsuccessful) digital transformation. Just like a building will fail without a solid foundation, a transformation relies on strong, good quality data at its core to succeed. Without it, CIOs risk stalled progress, missed deadlines and technologies that don’t deliver the business change they promised.

Why? Because however sophisticated your new infrastructure, platform or tool, without accurate data and without the right data, it simply won’t perform. It is destined to fall short.

It’s never too early

Of course data is important. How can an AI tool deliver accurate results if it’s using inaccurate data? How can an ERP system streamline operations when it is trying to navigate multiple data silos? 

But when data quality is addressed, it’s often too late. In the rush to implement new technologies, one of the most important factors in the transformation is treated as an afterthought. An agenda item that is consistently pushed to the next meeting, as seemingly more pressing issues are discussed, agreed and actioned. 

For the lucky IT teams, a mock go-live fails and issues are discovered late in the project, followed by a scramble to clean and organise data as the migration date grows ever closer. For the not-so lucky ones, it can take a real failed go-live to realise that poor quality data will scupper the project. And for the really unlucky ones, a series of failed go-lives. The impact on deadlines, budget and reputation is devastating.  

A transformation is stressful enough without last minute data management. Taking a Data First approach - focusing on data quality right at the start - gives your project a strong foundation to build from. By making sure you’re migrating accurate, up-to-date data, in a format that fits your new technology, you’re streamlining the migration and reducing risk.

Ideally, this builds on an existing data strategy. However, a recent UKISUG survey found that just 12% of organisations have a comprehensive data strategy, leaving many with outdated, inaccurate, or siloed data, and unclear priorities for migration. 

This means that addressing data quality early in the project is even more of a priority. 

Bring your data under control

Without a data strategy, it’s impossible to keep control of the growth, accuracy and relevance of your data. Identifying where to start can be a challenge. Starting your transformation with these four steps could be a gamechanger:

1. Understand existing data
   A comprehensive audit of your current data will help you learn where it is stored, who owns it and who uses it. Prioritise the data your new technology needs, so you’re not spending time and budget migrating unnecessary data.
2. Establish clear goals
   Your transformation should support wider business goals and your data objectives need to do the same. Understand what level of accuracy is needed for successful business outcomes and the most reliable results from your new technology. Build this into your strategy so that you don’t focus in the wrong place.
3. Set strong guidance
   Without clear rules and guidelines, you could quickly return to a tangle of data. Perhaps even before your go-live takes place. Set clear policies, procedures and standards early on, and take time to embed them within the business to maintain the accuracy of your critical data.
4. Engage leadership
   When senior leaders engage they bring the rest of the organisation along with them - prioritising data quality across the business. The C-suite is starting to understand its vested interest in data, but they may need a little persuasion. Remind them that the organisation’s success hinges on high quality data and that their projects rely on it too. 

A strong data foundation

Addressing data quality might not seem like a priority right now, especially if you’re in the midst of selecting a new technology, or you’re bidding for funding for a new project. But you are putting off the inevitable. By waiting, you risk discovering data challenges when it’s almost too late, when the impact is greater and when you’re already under pressure to deliver.

Data is at the heart of every successful transformation. But it’s also at the heart of every failed transformation too. The only difference is that a successful transformation has put data first, prioritised data quality and been set on a clearer path.