Data Strategy: From definition to execution

Data can be a cost for some organizations, but for those who succeed, it is a way to drive profitability, customer loyalty, and outperform others in their field. A well thought out, fit-for-purpose data strategy is vital for every modern data-driven organisation – public or private sector.  This book is your essential guide to planning, developing and implementing a data strategy, presenting a framework which takes you from strategy definition to successful strategy delivery and execution with support and engagement from stakeholders. It covers vital topics such as data-driven business transformation, change enablers, benefits realisation and measurement. Written by an experienced practitioner with over 30 years in the field, this book guides the reader through the complexity of working across an organisation to achieve a successful outcome. Whether you’re just starting to consider a data strategy or are looking to improve your existing approach, this book is a valuable resource for any modern data-driven organization. Offers a structured guide for those embarking on a data strategy from definition to a successful implementation. Incorporates insights from a model that has been developed through a highly successful workshop delivered to many practitioners across the globe. Provides case studies, example scenarios and reader questions throughout the book are designed to stimulate real-world thinking and help you put the framework into practice in the context of your own organisation.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Why is a Strategy Relevant Today? Positioning the Data Strategy Setting the Scope of the Data Strategy Composing the Data Strategy Creating a Route Map Content, Structure and Alignment Communications, Culture and Change Readiness Executing the Strategy: Part 1, The Plan Executing the Strategy: Part 2, Delivery Flexibility in Execution Assessing Value in Data Strategy Implementation Data Strategy: Completing the Journey from Definition to Execution

About the Author :
Ian Wallis is a senior data and analytics leader, experienced programme manager and frequent conference speaker on data and analytics. He has delivered some of the largest data programmes in the UK.

Review :
This is the most comprehensive, practical and useful guide to data strategy that I have come across. I have developed a few data strategies and would have found it easier and produced a better strategy if I had read Ian Wallis' book first. This is a book that is informed by deep, real-world experience of data strategy and the many change challenges involved. It has all the frameworks, tools and thinking you could need, laid out in a clear and readable way. For anyone involved in data or digital strategies it is a must read. Whether you are new to the area or just an old dog learning new tricks, this book offers vast experience, anecdotes and learnings from the front line for you to apply in the modern era of data. There is just so much to learn and revisit, e.g. on defensive vs offensive, dynamic data strategy, secret to success in R.A.V.E. – but most of all it’s a journey not a destination. 'Data Strategy: From definition to execution' is an excellent resource for newbies to data strategy and more seasoned professionals alike. It provides a well-organised, clear approach to developing a data strategy through its complete life cycle, alongside the potential pitfalls of getting a strategy from paper into reality. The author’s style is engaging and well thought out, clearly coming from a place of significant experience – if you’re writing a data strategy (or if you’re planning to) I heartily recommend this book, you’re bound to learn something useful! This really is everything you need to know about writing and delivering a data strategy! I found it filled with great analogies and stories from across the public and private sector. With the ten top things to remember at the end of every chapter, it really helped to summarise the key points. I particularly liked that it covered all the salient points of a data strategy, from control to exploitation, from strategy development to implementation and everything in between. A must read for those embarking on their data strategy journey! Essential reading for anyone starting out on implementing, or reviewing a current data strategy. This book provides insights the author has gained from many years implementing data strategies across many enterprises. Providing a through exposition on the do’s and don'ts, highlighting the importance of having a measurable implementation plan, and that the strategy needs to be linked to enterprise business goals.. This is a valuable guide and a perfect antidote for those who operate in organisations where ignorance masquerades as knowledge! Ian Wallis has produced an excellent guide to crafting and executing a data strategy. It is eminently readable, always relatable but crucially entirely practical in its approach to enabling Data Strategists - whether that is your job title or not - to plan, produce and implement meaningful data strategies in any organisation. Ian guides the reader through the steps needed to get senior level buy in, tell the story of the strategy, ground the plan in reality and be positioned to secure backing and resource for the successful creation of a fully formed strategy. All with a view to see your business extract value from one of its greatest assets – data. The author's practical approach to implementation, his real life experiences, but only occasional references to what might be seen as technical speak, brings this thinking to life making this a very digestible guide. The thoughtful ‘top ten takeaways’ provide very handy references points and reminders at the end of each chapter, and his work is both an excellent standalone learning piece as well as a ‘return to’ check in guide. It’s a great read and he knows his stuff. To be a leader in a sector and across multiple markets it is essential to have a functional data strategy. However, the line between success and failure in defining and implementing such strategy is becoming increasingly blurred due to the complexity of the topic. Data Strategy is your guide to avoid the noise and to focus on the areas that really can make a difference to setting up an operational and effective data strategy. Whether new to developing a data strategy or looking to enhance an existing one this book is an essential read. It offers unique insight to the author’s extensive experience combined with relevant reference material to help direct personal research. I found the takeaway points at the end of each chapter particularly useful. It is helping to define an approach and make the challenge of updating the data strategy achievable. This guide on how to plan, craft and execute a data strategy is outstanding in its level of detail and completeness. The author weaves his extensive and varied experience as a data practitioner into the fabric of theory to create a wonderful, practical, 'how to' guide. He takes you through the early planning stages, points out the pitfalls to avoid, shares some highly useful tips (e.g. CLEAR) and shows you how to navigate the rocky waters to implementation and the measurement of value of your data strategy. Whether you are creating a data strategy for the first time or looking to be even better next time, this is a must read! I read this book cover-to-cover in one day. Why? It's the first to fully weave the fundamentals of strategy and cultural change into the 'technical' aspects of creating and executing on a well thought out data strategy. A must-read for all who desire tangible, long-term results from the use of data in decision-making throughout an enterprise. Masterfully written, Ian!