6 Myths and Misconceptions about Data Projects

March 15, 2024

As I considered how to promote my new book on driving data projects, I wanted to include myths and misconceptions that reinforce their value. I have experienced many of these in teams I’ve worked on or with. Data projects are not a static set of routines. It's a constantly evolving, open-to-innovation process.

Only 54 percent of organizations fully understand the value of project management, according to PMI's Pulse of the Profession™ report. That might explain, in part, why project success rates are so low: Less than two-thirds meet their original business intents.

Resistance mitigation strategies

February 21, 2024

Countdown: Book Excerpt Chapter 3

February 20, 2024

Until an organization is willing to invest in its data capabilities, aligning data resources to answer complex business questions will be like riding a bicycle to chase a Formula One racer and never catching up. Scoping project opportunities well is about building enough trust to eventually scale resources. While a single project manager can accomplish some initiatives, most data projects require multi-disciplinary resources to execute.

Countdown: Book Excerpt Chapter 2

February 18, 2024

Book Excerpt: While a fully funded budget that supports data as a service is an integral part of a data transformation’s financial picture, few are fully staffed or funded. Three-quarters of executives confirm their organization now has some form of data strategy (however rudimentary), but a paltry 16% say they have the skills and capabilities necessary to deliver it.[1] Even though the average staffing budget is growing yearly, finding the skills and capabilities to execute data projects is becoming harder and harder.

What does it take to become data-driven?

February 8, 2024

Since most people don’t know a lot about IT organizations or data teams it’s important to understand why moving from ad hoc efforts to a mature approach to driving data projects makes sense. The timing might not be right (now). Becoming data-driven through data as a service requires a serious investment of resources, finances, staff, equipment, services, etc.; scaling efforts will only increase those topline demands. It’s a serious ongoing commitment many organizations find themselves surprised by—even today.

Resistance mitigation strategies

January 21, 2024

Change management wouldn’t be so hard if it weren’t for…the people. Open issues or objections left unresolved today cost time down the road. Suppose work starts before these concerns are mitigated. Stakeholders might get frustrated or begin to hold back their participation. Work produced might have difficulty getting implemented. Buy-in realizes impact.

There are three angles to consider. Addressing stakeholder resistance, achieving consensus on how deliverables are revised, and ensuring bi-directional feedback is balanced and actionable.