Data Strategy

Data is high on the agenda in Norwegian businesses

There is a lot of talk about “becoming data-driven” in boardrooms and management teams these days, largely driven by the opportunities that generative AI provides. At Glitni, we are pleased that Norwegian businesses have data high on their agenda!

However - many companies hire expensive data scientists, give them access to data and ask them to create models and analyses. This is comparable to giving a carpenter a pallet of materials and asking them to make something. You might get a birdhouse instead of the garage you actually need.

Organisations are also often not ready, or reluctant, to implement the changes required to exploit data-driven insight. Our experience is that it is not enough to change just one thing, e.g. architecture and technology, without also changing how the organisation works to extract value from data. It is wise to think holistically, where each part must work together.

Always start by defining the business value you want

To avoid wasting time and money, we recommend starting with the business value you want to realise, and identifying how data and insight can be used to achieve that value. You can use data and insight to improve current activities, products and services, but also to develop new ones.

Here are some common areas where data can create value:

• Increase utilisation of employees’ time and expertise by automating routine tasks – e.g. automatic registration of accounting entries
• Make production and internal operations more efficient and sustainable through e.g. understanding quality challenges, having the right inventory at all times based on expected demand, or being able to predict when equipment needs maintenance
• Increase the quality of products and services by providing a better understanding of who our customers or users are and what they need – and then further developing products and services to better meet customer needs
• Work more targeted with marketing, customer relations and sales through e.g. tailoring marketing to different segments

Knowing whether you want to, for example, improve strategic and operational decision-making, use predictive maintenance, or start contacting customers who are likely to leave, will greatly influence which data you should use and how architecture and technology must be set up to facilitate efficient data flow.

Data-driven business processes and artificial intelligence are changing the way value is delivered. Technology and data are available, but you also need willingness and ability to change to get the most out of the data. Data is only a means, not an end.

Data strategy - the foundation for long-term success with data

A data strategy is more than a one-off project. The data strategy is the foundation your organisation needs to get increased value from data - and the agility to develop good practices for utilising data as demands increase and new technologies emerge.

The data strategy should support the business strategy. With a shared vision for the role data should play in supporting the business strategy, the management team gets on board. With a long-term roadmap, you know how people, processes, technologies and data must operationally work in sync to achieve the company’s goals, and which changes need to be in place at what time.

Read more about why you need a data strategy.

Get a different perspective on the challenges you need to solve with the data strategy

Developing a data strategy is a complex task, and this work often comes on top of the need to handle daily operations. By working with consultants, you not only get expert guidance in creating your data strategy, but also valuable time to focus on the core business.

It can also be valuable to get an objective perspective to identify opportunities and propose measures as part of creating a robust data strategy. In addition, you can gain access to specialised skills and experience that may not exist internally. Most problems have been solved before, both successfully and unsuccessfully, and this insight can be valuable to bring into the work.

Our data strategy services

With our experience, we can offer a range of services designed to help your organisation at every step of the data journey.

1. Formulating a data strategy for the business or a sub-area

Our team of experienced experts will work closely with your organisation to understand your unique business challenges and goals. We will leverage this insight to design a data strategy tailored to your business. Our approach aims to unify your data landscape, eliminate data silos, build competence and ability to exploit insights, and ensure data integrity and security.

Deliverables will be tailored to you, but may include:

• How data supports goals and processes
  • assessment of what comparable organisations are doing
  • what business goals require in terms of data products and data-related capabilities
  • use cases assessed in terms of complexity and business value
  • vision for data utilisation
• Capabilities that need to be in place
  • current state analysis and maturity assessments
  • data domains, data ownership and data governance principles
  • architecture and technology assessments
  • organisational capabilities needed to realise data products
  • how to realise business value
• Roadmap
  • data-related initiatives with assessment of implementation, investments and importance
  • roadmap/timeline for realisation
  • short-term actions to get started
  • communication and anchoring

2. Updating an existing data strategy

When the business faces an unpredictable economy, shifting business priorities, major organisational changes, acquisitions/mergers or demergers, or new technology choices, it is time to review and update your data strategy. We will help you update your data strategy to ensure that your data, people, processes and tools are still best positioned to help you achieve your business goals. We can assist with the entire process, or be your sparring partner on selected parts of the data strategy. We are also ready to be your partner when it is time to realise the roadmap for your data strategy.

3. Conducting feasibility studies for Generative AI

To help businesses position themselves and already benefit from the incredible developments taking place, we have together with Sprint Consulting developed a feasibility study in generative AI. Here you get a structured overview of the most relevant trends, opportunities and tools in AI tailored to your company’s needs. You get a good picture of the opportunities ahead, but also guidance on how you can start using generative AI within a few weeks. Not least, you get a reminder of the risks and limitations to consider - especially protecting your own data and how it is used.

4. Assessment and plan for Data Science

Data Science initiatives can easily become a costly mistake without adequate preparation. We will work with you to define valuable use cases for data science and clarify what it will take to get there. After a review of your current data, processes, technology and infrastructure, you will receive a plan that outlines the steps to launch a Data Science programme, including initiatives you can implement immediately and recommendations for succeeding with Data Science.

5. Assessment and plan for management reporting

We help you with assessment and planning for management reporting, so that you get a reporting structure that effectively communicates key data and insight to management, and that provides control and direction for your chosen focus areas. We assist in clarifying goals, KPIs and other key metrics, and assist in defining ownership and breakdown in the organisation. We help you organise meeting points, responsibilities and frequency for follow-up. We contribute to distinguishing between plans, estimates/forecasts and results.

6. Detailing and realising the first use cases/user stories

Identifying and prioritising user stories related to data is a central step in implementing a data strategy. Our team works with you to understand your challenges and goals. By leveraging this insight, we tailor your data strategy to the user stories that matter most, and detail these together with you. We help you plan, lead and realise the use cases, so that the data strategy gets started.

Why you should choose Glitni for your data strategy

1. We see the big picture so you get lasting value from the data strategy We have assisted large organisations with both developing and realising data strategies - and have experience with what works and what does not. We identify the right problems and connect them with effective technological solutions, and communicate equally well with technologists and business stakeholders. We care about all the pieces of the puzzle, and seek to create long-term value by changing both people and processes so that better decisions are made. We bring perspectives on work processes, delivery models and other elements that must be in place to get value from data.
2. We have cross-functional expertise to solve most challenges At Glitni, we work in teams with cross-functional expertise, together with you. Teams are assembled to cover the areas that create the most value for your company. We look for the best solutions to the challenge, and then implement them.
3. We have experience that ensures you do the right things We have a background in Management Consulting, but also understand architecture, technology and data. We have experience from both large and small projects, requiring both navigation and process understanding, and new, agile ways of working. Our experience means we dare to challenge you. We bring experience from new technologies and methods that can create value for you as a client.
4. We bring templates and methodology that save you time Glitni brings its own templates and frameworks for all parts of strategy work, whether it is data governance, user stories or organisation. The templates and examples give us a good starting point to adapt to your organisation’s needs.
5. We work together, so you have control and build competence We want to work as an integrated team together with you and other partners you use. It is important that your own resources actively participate in the strategy work. We depend on understanding the business to help you with the strategy, and you depend on ownership of the strategy to implement it well. We know how to facilitate good dialogue and useful discussions at all levels - in the boardroom, management teams, with those who will use the data and those who help develop data products and data platforms.