Data Communication Is a Social Problem, Not a Technology Problem

For years, many organizations found it important to strive for data volume and invest in bigger databases and feature-rich platforms. Lost in the focus on size was the real prize—actionable insights in the hands of people who can do something about it. The first generation of business intelligence was about delivering complex, full-featured solutions designed for the IT team. Yet vast quantities of data collected by organizations remain disconnected from the people who might make use of it.

Making data useful is a problem that ultimately must be solved by people—people who understand the specific context of the data, people on the front-lines of decisions, and people who deeply understand the problems that data can illuminate. Data is useful when people use it to tell stories, craft compelling visualizations, and construct thoughtful analyses. People are the missing ingredient.

Unlocking the value of data takes...