When a business takes on the task of transforming business users to Citizen Data Scientists, they might have very clear goals mind but they may not have a firm grasp on what the role means or how to provide the business user with an understanding of what the role will be (what it will not be) and how it will change their day-to-day work.
There are a lot of business intelligence and analytical tools on the market today and if your business has recognized the need to implement this type of solution for self-serve analytics among business users, it is important to understand the advantages of augmented analytics. Advanced analytics benefits are numerous but, when a business chooses augmented analytics tools, it can ensure that its business users have full access to analytical features and sophisticated techniques without having to learn complex systems and without having to acquire data scientist skills. That ease-of-use takes advanced analytics advantages to the next level by democratizing use and allowing for digital transformation and increased data literacy across the enterprise.
Business competition is intense and markets are changing rapidly. What worked yesterday, does not work today and it is crucial for businesses to have an in-depth understanding of what is changing, how customer buying behavior is evolving, what new products and pricing plans are appropriate, where to invest for the future, what additional resources the business will need and when – in short, every detail of your business can positively or negatively impact your business and you need to understand current performance and future needs.
As a newly minted Citizen Data Scientist, you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain how to proceed. As with any other transition and new responsibility, the first order of business is to understand what is expected of you and what the boundaries and obligations of your new responsibilities will dictate. It is also important to learn how to use any new tools that may be important to your new role.
One of the most valuable aspects of self-serve business intelligence is the opportunity it provides for data and analytical sharing among business users within the organization. When business users adopt true self-serve BI tools like Plug n’ Play Predictive Analysis, Smart Data Visualization, and Self-Serve Data Preparation, they can apply the domain knowledge and skill they have developed in their role to create reports, analyze data and make recommendations and decisions with confidence.
When a business wants to roll out advanced analytics to its business users, it must consider the average skill level and understanding of analytical techniques and ensure that the solution it chooses will support its project goals. One of the most important factors of business user analytics is user-friendly, simple analytics in an augmented analytics environment.
When a business user takes on the new role of Citizen Data Scientist, it is often with misgivings and concerns. If their business and management team have not adequately explained the expectations of this new role, or made the workflow and cultural changes required to ensure that this new role is successful, the business user and team member is likely to fail, and the Citizen Data Scientist initiative is likely to fail.
Whether your business is a small, single location brick and mortar enterprise or a large, multi-facility organization that spans the global market, you need access to sophisticated, easy-to-use business intelligence tools in order to compete in local, regional and global markets.
Gartner has rightfully predicted the rise of Citizen Data Scientists. Coming from the ranks of business users, Citizen Data Scientists continue to function in their primary roles and fulfill their responsibilities as they take on the tasks of aligning with Digital Transformation initiatives and improving data literacy. Their new role does require that they embrace some new concepts and become comfortable with analytics and with making decisions using augmented analytical tools.
When a business initiates a Citizen Data Scientist movement within its ranks, it is important to recognize the other changes that will be required in order to reinforce the value of the program by reviewing and modifying team member evaluation and merit programs to reward Citizen Data Scientists for their collaboration, use of data-driven information in decisions and recommendations and work with Data Scientists, IT and others involved in the new initiative.
