Data Literacy

Despite the increasing possibilities for gathering, storing, reporting and analysing data, many businesses still have trouble successfully implementing data-driven solutions in their daily work activities. This has nothing to do with technical limitations, given the rapid pace of developments and innovations in the field of data & analytics. It has more to do with the difference in culture between data experts and analytics specialists and the business users who need to understand the analyses and translate them into business insights, actions and value. In order to really empower employees to generate those insights and add value, they need to be able to ‘speak’ the language of data and become more data literate. Data literacy – the ability to understand and analyse data and use it as the basis for decisions – is a key success factor for the successful implementation of a data-driven culture within an organisation.

How does an organisation become data literate?

The most important question for businesses at the moment is how to become more data literate and achieve a more data-driven organisation and culture. A data-driven culture determines how a data-driven organisation works and gets things done with the help of data, in response to both internal and external challenges. Whilst cultures within companies are generally focused on creating a mindset and a daily way of working, the technical details of data also require individual development in terms of skills in order to achieve a particular level of data literacy. The required skills depend on the data role of the user within the organisation. Organisations consist of different people with different backgrounds, interests, intrinsic motivations and areas of focus. In order to become data-driven, the business needs to focus more on data and on creating a culture in which data literacy is embraced. That culture is essential to achieving the desired change, and the different data roles are key. KPMG defines four different data roles for employees with different data skills, competencies and learning objectives.

Improving a data-driven culture

Becoming data literate is primarily an organisational and cultural exercise, but it is one with implications for the technical skills of employees. KPMG’s Behavioral Change Management approach helps improve data literacy and achieve a data-driven culture. It guides organisations through the entire transition, starting with achieving top-level support, drawing up a clear business case and defining the changes for the organisation. The approach also makes it possible to specify the impact of the change for individual employees, as well as facilitating the actual change, monitoring progress and the success of the change and supporting any necessary corrections.

Where does KPMG set itself apart?

KPMG has a depth of experience thanks to its involvement with major digital transformation projects and the implementation of advanced data & analytics solutions for its customers. The technical and business knowledge of our 100+ Data & Analytics professionals, combined with the knowledge of cultural change management of our dedicated People & Change team, has led to the development of best practices for successfully achieving a data-driven culture.