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Evolution and adaptation – The role of the Chief Data Officer



Businessman and a Data Cloud


In the words of Sun Tzu

As the management of any successful business institution will tell you the infrastructure surrounding trade must evolve to fit the needs of the market. To paraphrase Sun Tzu we all essentially agree that strategy guides and implements the process of evolution and this, in turn, leads to success.


In a business landscape where effective data utilisation dominates the evolving of processes it would seem self evident that the shaping of the topography, flow and practical implementation of held data resources is vital. In fact the management of data assets is so important that it is key to the continued success of data reliant institutions.

Evolve to meet the demands of Big Data

The issue faced by institution is the recurring ‘big data’ problem. For a multi national for example there may well be many years worth of valuable data which has been gathered, stored, distributed and utilised over a range of platforms, systems and perhaps languages which ideally needs drawing together into a coherent whole. 

Evolution of approach was clearly needed and a method usually employed to untangle the occasionally ugly mass of information is the appointment of a Chief Data Officer.

How is the Chief Data Officer adapting and evolving?

The CDO has a multi-purpose function within an institution and, while the role will differ depending on the circumstances of the business needs, it will usually involve the following in a variable ratio.

  • The overview and strategic understanding of often-disparate data.
  • The rationalisation of data assets into a coherent and accessible whole.
  • The implementation of local and wide area strategy for the distribution and collection of key data.
  • The implementation of best practice based governance - including adherence to legal, regulatory and institutional requirements for storage and ultilisation of personal and other data.
  • The implementation of a system distribution of required data into a practical framework.

CDO or Architect?

This is by no means an exhaustive list but we offer no apology for this as the few hundred words available in this article is woefully short for a subject that is highly complex in nature.

The individual needs of the institution will bend and shape the above list and some of them may become unrecognisable as a result. This is (as it should be) because the role of the CDO can be thought of as the guiding hand of data systems evolution within a business environment. The data must flow from storage to usage and the CDO is the architect of that flow. 

Sometimes one sees a moment of pure evolution in action. The Chief Data Officer is as good an example of this as any in recent business history. Big data needs to be mastered and it is only natural that a role has developed to facilitate that.

 

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With over 10 years experience working solely in the Data & Analytics sector our consultants are able to offer detailed insights into the industry.

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Blockchain Technologies Find Fuel in the Life Sciences Industry

When Ford first introduced the assembly line, he could only imagine how it would affect the automotive industry. But what about how it could affect supply and demand within the life sciences industry? Automotive and similar factories have been converted before to help build items most needed. Not the least of which, today, is to help supply those in the life sciences industry with the PPE and medical devices they need. Demand is high. Supply is not. Enter blockchain technologies.  As health systems become overburdened and disruptions to ‘normal’ life occur on a global scale, it’s important to ensure critical resources are prioritized. So, what can businesses do to help ensure supply and demand are met in not only these critical times, but for the future. FIVE WAYS TO ENSURE SUPPLY MEETS DEMAND When it’s difficult to supply even the most in demand products, it’s time to take an assessment of various scenarios. These scenarios can help leaders predict what and when they’ll need certain products and critical items. Assess your scenario within the framework of increased disruption.What are your capabilities?Identify the most immediate needs to meet, any risks to be aware of, and take action.Determine any structural changes you’ll need to make.Prepare to pivot. Be aware you may be in a continuous cycle of determining risk, assessing where you are and need to go, any configurations you’ll need to make to get there, and any operational procedures to improve and move forward. By assessing, prioritizing, and visualizing, companies are able to craft a clearer scope of vision. The scenarios created can offer insight into key pieces of planning to help mitigate disruptions of supply chain processes. This crisis will have long-lasting effects and implications from how we work to how we assure supply and demand. It’s in these strange crosshairs, the life sciences industry finds itself at the center of this pandemic, and at the same time is the life force which has given blockchain technologies fuel to improve. No matter where you are on the spectrum of supply chain technology, there is calculated risk to every decision. Just because we’re easing restrictions now, doesn’t mean there won’t be an about face in the next few months, and what companies do between now and then is critical. Supply is already short. Now is the time to take immediate action to help mitigate risk for patients, providers, your clients, and your communities WHAT TO DO NOW AND HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE The scale of risk is unlike any leaders have seen in recent years. Its speed adds to the uncertainty as numbers rise, decisions change, and most are left wondering what’s next. Businesses who respond quickly and confidently can help to alleviate some uncertainties, but can craft a plan crucial to understanding the complexities of blockchain within the industry. Strong data, analysis, predictive modelling can help to anticipate any further or potential disruption. Taking these steps can help make businesses more resilient in the future and also help them manage future challenges. It’s integral to have strong, responsive, and resilient risk management capabilities. To do this, your business will want to ensure their capabilities are technology-led platforms which support analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Whether you’re mitigating risk, preparing an assessment, or determining your capabilities, it’s important to ensure you’re transparent. We are all in this together. Even in business. Transparency builds trust as does assuring supply and demand by mitigating risk. It’s these things which will soon become the basics of business protocols. Business processes have shifted online, looking for your next job has become more daunting than ever before. But here’s the good news. Leaders, hiring managers, recruiters, and prospective employees are all navigating a new way of doing business and finding talent to keep those businesses running.  In the wake of work-from-home policies, remote working, and the shifting landscape of working outside the office, technology careers are prime opportunities to both gain increased knowledge in your chosen field or begin your career path.  If you’re interested in Big Data & Analytics professional opportunities, check out our current vacancies or contact one of our recruitment consultants to learn more.  For our West Coast Team, contact us at (415) 614 - 4999 or send an email to sanfraninfo@harnham.com.  For our Mid-West and East Coast teams contact us at (212) 796-6070 or send an email to newyorkinfo@harnham.com.  

Karla Guerra

Karla Guerra

28. May 2020

How the Life Sciences Industry is Changing the Way We Work

In the race to develop tests and create vaccines, the Life Sciences have become leaders within the Data industry. Working in tandem with a variety of sources such as human capital, blockchain, Data, and Analytics professionals to get help delivered to where it’s needed most. This remains a critical time for the Life Sciences. As we work to flatten the curve and take steps to reopen the economy, the Life Sciences industry is also helping to empower the workforce for the foreseeable future. For many businesses, this means allowing remote working either through the end of the year or indefinitely. The ability for those in the Life Sciences industry to collaborate remotely widens the availability and offers more virtual engagement for patients, providers, and researchers without risk of contagion. There are four key areas in which companies can focus their efforts: Strengthen and empower your workforce and business community.Ensure demand meets supply.Leverage your Data to advance how patients are treated.Ensure technologies and processes are in place to virtualize patient/provider engagement. We’ll look at each of these over the next few weeks. So, how do you empower your workforce, build your community, and ensure continuity for your business? First, determine how you might best attract and retain talent for the problems to solve now and in the future. Five Ways to Ensure Workplace Flexibility for the Future Enable your employees to work remotely through digital, virtual, and collaborative technologies.Build a transparent culture through meaningful connection between healthcare providers, patients, partners, and vendors. Make sure everyone’s on the same page at every stage.Innovate new ways to interact through digital means and encourage business continuity through remote work, virtual AI to assist with customers, and evolve connections to meet strategic objectives.Widen your scope to collaborate across geographies at a global scale.Automate when possible to expand detection and response Life Sciences Brands Set New Standards for the World of Healthcare The sudden and long-lasting impact of COVID-19 requires brands to move more quickly than ever before to best serve their customers. It’s imperative customer operations offer quality, caring, and compassion particularly within the healthcare and by design Life Sciences industry. In order to offer the best care and treatment, Life Sciences brands must use the Data and Analytics information they’ve acquired from healthcare records, researchers, and more to ensure quality care for both customers and employees. In times of uncertainty and fear, leaders must make informed, swift decisions. Trust is paramount is work, research, customer and employee relationships move to and remain online rather than face-to-face. While our collective emotional state adds to the challenge, it also offers new opportunities to be forged. The work-from-home model is dependent on having the right secure technology. Employees and businesses need to feel as secure working from home as they would in an office environment. To create this experience and build trust, implementing networking infrastructures will be more important than ever before.  Put People First As important as secure technologies, solid networking infrastructures, and customer care are, the number one priority to ensure you can meet each of these is to care first and foremost, for your workforce. It’s this caring which will enhance your efforts allowing for business continuity as you also care for your customers.  We are all in unchartered territory these days, but leaders who put their employees first are building another level of trust. Understanding the unique intensity of caring for family members and managing wellness as well as navigating increased workloads for some of their employees may seem untenable. But when your workforce is armed with the latest information, assurance of frequent communication, and the chance to celebrate small wins and jobs well done, the people you care for will care for your business.  Business processes have shifted online, looking for your next job has become more daunting than ever before. But here’s the good news. Leaders, hiring managers, recruiters, and prospective employees are all navigating a new way of doing business and finding talent to keep those businesses running.  In the wake of work-from-home policies, remote working, and the shifting landscape of working outside the office, technology careers are prime opportunities to both gain increased knowledge in your chosen field or begin your career path.  If you’re interested in Big Data & Analytics or other Data professional opportunities, check out our current vacancies or contact one of our recruitment consultants to learn more.  For our West Coast Team, contact us at (415) 614 - 4999 or send an email to sanfraninfo@harnham.com.  For our Mid-West and East Coast teams contact us at (212) 796-6070 or send an email to newyorkinfo@harnham.com.  

Hillary Tran

Hillary Tran

21. May 2020

Five Ways Marketing Analytics Help Businesses Plan For The Future

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Anais Dufour

Anais Dufour

14. May 2020

Life Sciences Data on the Front Lines

As states begin to lift restrictions, projections of cases and deaths, are expected to rise. Racing against the clock are scientists, Predictive Data Modelers, Bioinformatics Statisticians, and AI. Together with Machine Learning platforms, they’re working to find a solution to not only flatten the curve, but stop the virus in its tracks. And the first line of defense they’re turning to? AI. AI as First Line of Defense Against Covid-19 Once a challenge to humans as taking over jobs, AI is now at the center of cutting-edge technologies to track the pandemic. Combined with other technologies such as machine learning, bioinformatics, and other Data solutions, AI has become a first line of defense against the outbreak.  With the ability to filter through massive Data sets at a speed unmatched by humans, AI is working to crack the code of how best to treat Covid-19 patients. And to help flatten the curve? Some companies are using surveillance systems to help determine hotspots, track contagion points, and help to slow the spread of the virus. Experts understand computation prowess alone won’t solve this disease. But its speediness will ratchet up the information so we can avoid years of trial and error. AI and Big Data can help give research groups, pharmaceutical firms, and even private businesses, who’ve tossed their hat into the ring to help fight this pandemic, a leg up. Healthcare Analytics Enters the Fight While there is a risk to Data given to algorithms, some private sector businesses are willing to take the chance. This kind of information can help to predict future hotspots to catch the virus in its tracks and work to ensure it doesn’t spread out from these localizations.  Using the technologies we have in place like AI, Machine Learning platforms, Big Data, and Bioinformatics can help to speed up treatment, improve vaccines and pharmaceuticals, and offers near real-time solutions. As with anything involving large amounts of Data given directly into a machine, there is an urge to be cautious.  Hotspots on a map can pinpoint where the worst or newest cases have sprung up. This insight gives experts a 360-degree view of patients using Machine Learning. Using a wide array of healthcare Data such as X-rays, ER visits, medical codes, and more, a new tracking system shows hidden areas where outbreaks could occur but may not be expected catching the virus in its tracks. Monitoring is Critical as States Lift Restrictions Though coronavirus is not the flu, flu season isn’t taking any time off. So as the two viruses collide, it’s more important than ever to monitor the spread. This can ensure hotspots are pinpointed early, efforts to flatten the curve, and monitor flare ups should the arise as the country begins to reopen. Experts are working around the clock and using this clinical Data to inform their models. Predictive modeling, AI surveillance systems, and Bioinformatics used in healthcare Data are working together to find a cure. It’s important humans do their part, too. This just might be a best case scenario of machine and human working in cooperation toward a common goal. But one thing this world needs at the speed of light beyond AI to syphon through Data? Professionals who have the technical prowess to understand the machines and the human skills of communication to explain the analyses.  One Final Thought… Business processes have shifted online, looking for your next job has become more daunting than ever before. But here’s the good news. Leaders, hiring managers, recruiters, and prospective employees are all navigating a new way of doing business and finding talent to keep those businesses running.  In the wake of work-from-home policies, remote working, and the shifting landscape of working outside the office, technology careers are prime opportunities to both gain increased knowledge in your chosen field or begin your career path.  If you’re interested in Big Data & Analytics or other Data professional opportunities, check out our current vacancies or contact one of our expert consultants to learn more.   For our West Coast Team, contact us at (415) 614 - 4999 or send an email to sanfraninfo@harnham.com.   For our Mid-West and East Coast teams contact us at (212) 796-6070 or send an email to newyorkinfo@harnham.com.  

Riley Hsia

Riley Hsia

07. May 2020

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