Data democratisation requires literacy and fluency for proficiency

Abstract

This paper discusses the challenges of data democratisation for non-digital-native organisations and the importance of data literacy in the process. Data democratisation refers to providing access to data to everyone to enable easy and informed decision-making without gatekeepers. Without a firm understanding of the basics and an educated grasp of the nuances, exploring data can be intriguing but not constructive. To be successful, organisations must get everybody, including those who are less knowledgeable, to have the same understanding of data and speak the same language in a collaborative manner. A common understanding of data is supported by data dictionaries, catalogues and legacy repositories. A common language allows teams to better choose which projects have the highest likelihood of success. The paper emphasises the need for data fluency across an organisation.