Data Strategy Tools: Steps to build the Data Roadmap


So the day has come.  It is time to start laying out your data strategy roadmap.  This one document is probably the most important document you will create in this entire process.  The next 2 - 5 years will be governed by this document and it will judge you constantly!  So how do we do this?

Here are 10 steps to creating a data strategy roadmap. Just be cause we can list these off does not mean that you will get this all done in one day. Quite the contrary it will take time to get these accomplished. You do have to be reasonable though. Realize that some of these steps will never be done and business objectives change. Perfection is not the goal here but we do need to find the balance between "good enough" and perfect. Here we go!

  1. Investigate data sources. The first step is to identify all of the data sources that are available to the organization. This includes both internal data sources, such as customer databases and sales data, and external data sources, such as social media data and market research data. This is a step that does not have to be fully completed before you go on.  Here we need to understand the business objectives and prioritize.  You will be investigating data sources as long as you are in this business so make sure you get what you need for those high level priorities so that you can get the rest of your team moving.  Then continue to circle back to this step.
  2. Assess the quality of the data. Once all of the data sources have been identified, it is important to assess the quality of the data. This includes checking for accuracy, completeness, and consistency. A third party tool that offers data profiling would be a good suggestion at this point.  
  3. Prioritize the business objectives. The next step is to prioritize the business objectives that the data strategy roadmap will support. Once you understand the order that things will flow you will know where to give the most attention.
  4. Develop a data governance plan. A data governance plan is a set of policies and procedures that outlines how the organization will manage its data. This includes things like data access, data security, and data retention.  This is also a very hard step so most organizations just skip it.  Do not do that.  Without this you will not have a solid foundation so spend some time here.
  5. Choose the right data tools and technologies. Once the data governance plan is in place, it is time to choose the right data tools and technologies to support the data strategy roadmap. This could include things like data warehouses, data lakes, and data analytics tools.  This is not a one size fits all situation so build your criteria matrix and select what fits for your organization. 
  6. Build a data team. The data team is responsible for implementing and managing the data strategy roadmap. The team should include a mix of data engineers, data scientists, and data analysts.  
  7. Start with quick wins. Once the data team is in place, it is important to start with some quick wins. This will help to build momentum and demonstrate the value of the data strategy roadmap. 
  8. Communicate with stakeholders. It is important to communicate with stakeholders throughout the process of creating and implementing the data strategy roadmap. This will help to ensure that everyone is on board and that the roadmap is aligned with the needs of the organization.
  9. Monitor and measure progress. It is important to monitor and measure the progress of the data strategy roadmap on a regular basis. This will help to identify any areas where adjustments may be needed.
  10. Update the roadmap regularly. The data strategy roadmap should be regularly updated to reflect changes in the market and the organization's needs.

Communication is essential throughout the process of creating and implementing a data strategy roadmap. It is important to communicate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, including executives, managers, and employees. Remember that listening is part of communication. Make sure you take in that feedback so that adjustments can be made early and quickly.

A few more things to remember are:

  • Use plain language. The roadmap should be easy to understand for everyone, regardless of their technical background.
  • Provide regular updates. Stakeholders should be kept up-to-date on the progress of the roadmap and any changes that are made.
  • Be open to feedback. Stakeholders should be encouraged to provide feedback on the roadmap. This feedback can help to improve the roadmap and ensure that it is meeting the needs of the organization.

Building the roadmap for your data strategy will take time. This document will never really be finished because your business will never stand still. If you get into a good schedule of reviewing the roadmap with the stakeholders and have open lines of communication you will be able to breathe life into this document. Just remember to stay focused, take small bites, and build a team around you that you can trust with the details. Soon enough you will be moving towards your goals and success.

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