Case Study – UK Government Department
Data Strategy
UK Government Department
“We are having no consulting speak. If I don’t understand it, its not going in.”
Deputy Director on Data Strategy
“I normally find documents about data difficult to comprehend but I have read this data strategy document from cover to cover and I have understood every word.”
Executive Committee Member
Problem
This client is one of the largest UK central government departments and they are undertaking some of the most significant data programmes in the UK.
They need specialist help with their Data Transformation programme. Work had commenced on an Enterprise Data Strategy, but limited resources were hampering progress and data related work was being prioritised in silos with limited view of the whole picture or the roadmap to get there. Support was required to create a cohesive, holistic view of all their data projects and workstreams.
Digital Works Group were asked to provide expert, specialist advice to orchestrate a joined-up, pragmatic and business-led data strategy.
Our Approach
Our aim was to coach and empower the senior leadership team (SLT) to rapidly ‘upskill’ their understanding of data and it’s context within the wider enterprise programme. The goal was to build internal capability and give the client the tools and skills they needed to eventually be able ‘do it themselves’.
Expert advice was provided at all stages as well as support for stakeholders. Acting as the driving force for the resolution of contentious issues and championing the presentation of the case to prioritise Data Strategy, in parallel to urgent remediation, to ExCom.
The initial engagement was focused on developing an Enterprise Data Strategy however as a result of that work it became clear that Data Governance and Data Risk Management also needed to be addressed.
Team
The skills we provided:
– Senior Partner – a highly experienced expert on Data Strategy, Data Governance & Data Risk Management
Timescales
Work with this client began in May 2021. The strategy work took approximately 6 months to get approval from the ExCom Strategy Committee.
Outputs
– An Enterprise Data Strategy which included a strategic roadmap aligned with the wider enterprise strategy
– Proposals of what data governance and target operating model changes were required to support better data outcomes
– Insightful investment cases on broader data initiatives across the organisation
Benefits
The Enterprise Data Strategy gained approval from their ExCom Strategy Committee. It now gives context to the delivery and implementation of several multi-million programmes.
Knowledge of data as a core asset and its applications was massively expanded. The SLT have a better understanding of the vital role data plays in their organisation’s success with improved engagement and collaboration across the many teams involved in their data initiatives.
We continue to advise this client on further stages on their data transformation programme.
