Is your data your organisational North Star, or your Death Star?

At the 2023 Data Vault Conference, Jen Stirrup delivered a thought-provoking session that asked a question every organization should consider: is your data guiding you to success, or is it leading you toward disaster? Here’s a friendly recap of the session’s highlights, plus a reminder to join our community and keep the conversation going!

Data: The Force for Good… or the Dark Side?

Drawing on a playful Star Wars theme, Jen Stirrup explored how data can be both a powerful asset and a potential liability. Is your data the “Force” of your business, or does it have a dark side that could undermine your goals? The answer depends on your approach to people, process, and project management.

It’s All About People and Business

• Data definitions can be political: Watch out for “empiring” and internal battles over terminology.

• Empathy and listening: Like a Jedi Knight, gather your team with empathy and a business-first attitude.

• Safe-to-fail innovation: Encourage experimentation and revision projects, but always keep the end user in mind.

• Agile vs. Waterfall: Badly implemented agile can be just waterfall in disguise. Plans are only as good as the hard work that follows.

Agile, Disciplined, and Responsive

• Agile Manifesto: Value individuals and interactions, working software, customer collaboration, and responding to change.

• Disciplined Agile: True business agility comes from freedom, not rigid frameworks. Find the best way of working (WoW) for your team.

• Balance: Agile projects require a balance between control/planning and freedom to deliver. Protect your team from distractions and reassess risks regularly.

Evolution, Revolution, and the Paradox of Change

• Visionary vs. Evolutionary: Sometimes you need bold, revolutionary goals; other times, incremental, evolutionary progress is best.

• Logic and Intuition: Mix information with experience, and don’t cling to old habits—be open to new truths.

• Change is constant: The most successful organizations are those most responsive to change.

Practical Project Wisdom

• User stories: Make requirements independent, negotiable, valuable, estimable, small, and testable.

• Devil’s Triangle: Balance the needs of the customer, delivery team, and software vendor.

• Look after your people: Protect your team, avoid overwork, and never punish honest mistakes—only the concealment of errors.

• Project management: Operations keep the lights on, strategy provides direction, but project management is the engine that moves the organization forward.

Join the Data Community!

• Sign up to our forum: Share your experiences, ask questions, and connect with fellow data enthusiasts.

• Stay up to date: We host regular webinars, workshops, and meetups—don’t miss out!

• Shape the future: Your feedback and participation help us build better tools and resources for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Is your data your North Star, guiding your organization to success? Or is it a Death Star, threatening to derail your efforts? The answer lies in your approach to people, process, and change. With the right mindset, agile practices, and community support, you can ensure your data is a force for good.

Ready to make your data your North Star? Join the conversation, sign up for our next webinar, and let’s build the future of data together!