
Towards a ‘Smart’ Data-Driven Transformation
Digital drove us to our screens. The Intelligence team is now seeing a large pool of data consolidated in an interactive and a dynamic interface which influences decision-making. In this digital age, where everything (literally things) are connected to give us data, where people are connected with each other, and with the virtual world — a world of content where the boundaries of “truth” are getting blurrier as more people are driven to their screens to consume content, and consequently valuing what is consumed, every single perception and expectation are captured in the form of structured and unstructured data. It is therefore paramount to harness relevant data to drive competitive edge.
While the internet is saturated with 1000 point of views on data and analytics, I would like to share my thoughts on navigating a ‘smart’ data driven transformation.
A quick context on digital and its data landscape — Facebook, Google and other technology giants are disrupting market with their tailored messaging and offerings alongside giving way to new norms and laws in customer experience services from companies. Coincidentally, a sizable proportion of people are comfortable with sharing their data in exchange for personalized experiences to get what they want, how they want it, and when or how frequently they would want it.
It is therefore important to transform towards a ‘smart’ data-driven culture. But how?

Getting the right data that’s ‘smart’
Big Data is charaterised by the 5Vs which most of us would know — Volume, Variety, Value, Veracity, and Velocity. But with ‘Smart’ data, there is a reduction in Volume, Variety may be reduced by prioritizing and filtering what type of data is needed.
With the reduction and prioritization of Volume and Variety, we should see an increase in Value, Veracity (Accuracy) and Velocity.
In other words, ‘Smart’ data is all about acquiring the relevant data of the right volumes, from the right sources, and of the right type, that has been prepared for context, to yield strong insights from your analytics.

Architecting end-to-end solutions with efficiency
With the right data and technology, it is important for the team to be equipped with skills that are suited to a data-driven culture that depends on harnessing ‘smart’ data as opposed to big data. Processing and applying analytics on ‘Smart’ data will deliver fast, accurate and comprehensible insights. Alongside a data-driven mind-set, it is important to have a good appetite for change that may arise from the need to stand out from the rest, and gain a competitive edge.

Unique challenges call for unique game plans
Every challenge is unique in the way it is shaped. Solutions that require getting ‘Smart’ data and applying analytics on it need to be subjected to changes that perfectly fit into those challenges — right from picking your sources, type, and the volume. There is no single game plan for a ‘smart’ data transformation.

