{"id":8950,"date":"2024-08-05T07:03:12","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T07:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weareoakland.com\/?p=8950"},"modified":"2026-02-06T11:29:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T11:29:01","slug":"how-to-write-a-data-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weareoakland.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-data-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Data Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Data. It plays an integral role in the success of your business. So much so, that it\u2019s hard to find a company nowadays that doesn\u2019t want to be more data-driven. But how can organisations harness and leverage data<\/span><\/a> in a way that helps them to meet their overall business goals?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Oakland, we pride ourselves on our extensive expertise in data and our approach to simplifying it. This ensures you can fully understand how your business can reap the benefits of having a strong data strategy<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this comprehensive guide, we\u2019ll teach you all about the power of data and the right way to approach it to do just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read our full Data Strategy Guide here.<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is a Data Strategy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A data strategy sets a vision and roadmap that explains how an organisation will use data and analytics<\/span><\/a> to achieve its strategic objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A well-defined data strategy aligns data and analytics activity with clear business aligned objectives. This involves outlining the changes, investments, and capabilities needed to make the data strategy effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, data strategy is not about creating a different future for your organisation. At Oakland, we want to use data to realise the organisation’s vision and strategy. It’s all about using data to serve organisational goals and drive value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The wider future of the organisation is (or should be) already imagined through the overall business strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Why Do You Need a Data Strategy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, it today\u2019s market, organisations need a data strategy in order to propel them towards their business goals. Here are just a few of the key reasons having a data strategy<\/span><\/a> is essential:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opportunity Identification<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

 Many organisations sense missed opportunities with their data but struggle to pinpoint them. A structured data strategy helps uncover and prioritise these opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vision Setting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A data strategy creates a clear future vision to unite data efforts and guide decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alignment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It aligns priorities, resources, and roadmaps behind a clear vision, addressing disjointed data functions and activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ROI Realisation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ensures investments in data yield expected benefits and helps secure necessary budget and resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customer Satisfaction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Successful data implementation improves data availability, access, quality, and timeliness, addressing common frustrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foundation Building<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Links customer frustrations with root causes and provides solutions, fostering data governance<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking Reactive Cycles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Helps data teams move from a reactive stance to a proactive, strategic approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If these points resonate with your organisation, it\u2019s likely time to consider creating or updating your data strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find out for information in our full guide.<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Finding the Right Approach to Your Data Strategy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At Oakland, we have an extensive collection of expertise in all things data; from strategy and governance<\/span><\/a> to data  engineering<\/span><\/a>, analytics<\/span><\/a> and artificial intelligence<\/span><\/a>. One thing we feel incredibly passionate about is simplifying data strategy by taking an easy, seamless approach that everyone in your organisation can understand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Not to Do<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bear with us. It sounds strange, but a data strategy shouldn\u2019t be a strategy for data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking of data as something separate from the wider organisation, with its own priorities, objectives and concerns. But this is a fatal error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at this. Where would you say you are today?<\/p>\n\n\n

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A common mistake is to fall into the trap of creating a ‘strategy for data’ rather than using data to achieve organisational goals. Avoid thinking of data as separate from the wider organisation. Instead, re-imagine data as a means to meet organisational needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Better Way<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To avoid the \u2018strategy for data\u2019 pitfall, our data strategy consultants work collaboratively alongside your organisation to ensure your data strategy focuses on the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Organisational Outcomes<\/strong>: Understanding what outcomes your business needs and the role of data in achieving them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Balanced View<\/strong>: Incorporating people, processes, and technology, rather than overemphasising tool and technology alone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Compelling Narrative<\/strong>: Crafting a data strategy that tells a compelling story, making the technical aspects accessible and engaging for non-technical stakeholders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Collaborative Creation<\/strong>: Developing the strategy through workshops, customer engagement, and stakeholder collaboration to ensure alignment and instill confidence.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    How to create a roadmap for data & AI success<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Oakland\u2019s Approach: What Should a Data Strategy Include?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    At Oakland, we have created a foolproof 3-step approach to create a comprehensive data strategy, ensuring it covers the following key components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Strategic Vision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Outline what you aim to achieve and the high-level changes needed. Key elements include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n