This course is aimed at anyone who is either undertaking the definition or execution of a data strategy, is reviewing a data strategy or is simply curious to learn more about the process of defining and implementing a data strategy. As data strategy underpins all data-related activity, it is relevant to anyone in a data role, as well as those who are in positions related to data exploitation, including data scientists, data analysts and business intelligence professionals. It is also suited to those who are in strategy roles to gain a better understanding of how data strategy fits within wider corporate strategies, those in digital and IT-related roles who need to interact with data and have a coherent approach to how to structure data, programme managers who are delivering data-related activity within an organisation and legal and compliance professionals who need to demonstrate controls and clarity on direction.

Data underpins everything we do in organisations today. Whether being able to transact with customers or suppliers, pay employees, demonstrate legal compliance or enable processes to work to deliver products or services, data is critical to the smooth running of every organisation, whether private or public sector, large or small, regardless of where we operate in the world. This course is designed to provide practical experience in just two days to bring to life the rationale and challenges in trying to define and implement a data strategy in any organisation. It is designed with the practitioner in mind, with the course delivered by a leader with extensive experience of operating across a range of industries in both the private and public sector. It brings to life many of the hurdles and pitfalls that await anyone embarking on defining or executing a data strategy based on practical experience, all underpinned by the book which is a takeaway from the course. As such, it is a hands-on opportunity to learn whilst guided through the process in a step-by-step approach from start to finish.

In two days, participants will experience the benefit of being taken through a sequential approach to devising and implementing a data strategy to build an understanding of how to approach this based upon the experience of others. It is an opportunity to review how this approach could be deployed in an organisation, discuss how to overcome some of the challenges you may face and also gain practical experience of what to avoid and how to organise to increase the likelihood of success. By the end of the course, each participant will have gained a range of tips and good practice to deploy to venture into the field of data strategy with greater confidence.

No, this course is focused on being an interactive session that is focused on building confidence and understanding in participants to embark on devising and implementing a data strategy.

Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion from IRM UK.

The approach follows the same structure as the book, Data Strategy: from definition to execution. Each chapter is brought to life through case studies and the interaction of those attending the course in applying specific learning points to develop understanding and build confidence step-by-step.

Data – what are your challenges?
Background to the data landscape today
Why does data matter?
How does a data strategy help?

Why a data strategy?
What is a data strategy, and why is it relevant to me?
Strategy alignment
Be CLEAR!
Positioning the data strategy

Data strategy scope
Setting goals
Contextualising the data strategy
Organisational readiness and maturity
Scope and rationale
Control or exploitation, or both?

Composing the data strategy
Accessibility
Deliver with PRIDE!
Acid test

The route map
Keeping it grounded
Timescales
Setting waymarkers
Planning for success
Presenting the route map

Content, structure and alignment
Approach to defining the content
Determining the content
Structuring the content
Strategy alignment
Keeping it relevant

Communications, culture and change
‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast’
Barriers to change
Sponsorship
Organisational maturity
Transitioning communications to delivery

Executing the data strategy – the plan
Transition to executing the data strategy
Why do data strategy implementations fail?
The planning cycle
Dependencies – the iceberg
Agility and flexibility
Capability assessment
Avoiding strategy paralysis

Executing the data strategy - delivery
Assigning roles and responsibilities
Plan for action, prepare for change
Customer engagement
Project teams, PMO and the data and analytics function
The prioritisation challenge
Requirements
Benefits definition and tracking
Flexibility in execution
Managing the impact of change
Assessing the impact of change
Capability reassessment and the role of learning and development
Communicating change
Dynamic data strategy

Assessing value in data strategy implementation
Evaluation to generate measurement
Benefits realisation
Performance frameworks
Earned value
Maturity assessments
Data as an asset

Data strategy: from definition to execution
Culture
Ready to sail?
Revolution versus evolution
Prioritisation, dependencies and capabilities
Evaluation and measurement
Sponsorship, executive buy-in and stakeholder management
Communications
Aligning and embedding the strategies
Balancing risk
Plan for success
The next wave
Does one size data strategy fit all?
Conclusions