In 2017, Gartner interviewed companies that had implemented a big data project and found that most of these initiatives were not successful. In fact, they uncovered a startling statistic: 85% of big data projects fail. At Incite, we’re frequently brought in to clean up analytics implementations that have gone off the rails, and I can tell you from our direct experience that the situation hasn’t really improved since that study.
The Gartner study revealed that there are several factors that cause analytics implementations to miss the mark. These include technology integration problems, management resistance, internal politics, insufficient expertise, and governance issues. If you look closely, it’s easy to find a common thread in many of these causes: the human element.
Human challenges in analytics are best addressed with understanding and empathy. When rolling out big analytics projects, it’s easy to focus on the tough technical problems because data architectures, analytics toolkits, and storage needs are the obvious stuff. However, this data-centric approach means it’s all too easy to overlook the people who are involved in and impacted by the problem. It’s crucial to listen to and work with those affected in order to properly resolve issues and have the new solution stick.
Let’s look at several ways that human resistance can manifest itself.
Embracing empathy in business might seem too sentimental for some, but it can significantly enhance employee engagement and project success.
The idea of prioritizing empathy may seem too sentimental for some business leaders. However, we have found that genuine care and understanding can significantly enhance employee engagement and create a more successful analytics implementation.
Remember, the key to unlocking the full potential of your analytics lies not just in the data, but in the hearts and minds of those who work with it.
Executive leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering a data-driven culture where analytics becomes a compass for strategic decisions and organizational growth. Here’s how to start creating that culture.
Sign up for our newsletter