Red flags in your data strategy
If your data strategy isn’t helping people make better decisions, improve services, or work smarter, it’s not doing its job. Here are some common red flags:
1. Your people don’t trust the data
A lack of confidence often stems from poor data quality, inadequate documentation, or inconsistent definitions across teams. Start by improving data quality at the source, standardising definitions, and making data lineage transparent.
2. Data governance is an afterthought
Governance isn’t just compliance checkbox. It’s the operational backbone that ensures everything runs smoothly from the start. Strong governance is what makes data usable and valuable.
3. Data initiatives are happening in silos
A good data strategy should foster enterprise-wide alignment, not pockets of disconnected progress. Break down silos by aligning data efforts to enterprise-wide goals and encouraging shared ownership.
4. Data is collected, but not used
You may be capturing plenty of data, but if it’s not supporting decision-making or driving insights, then it’s a sunk cost. Too often, organisations collect data for compliance or reporting purposes, without a plan to extract value. Ensure every data collection effort is tied to a clear business question or decision-making need.
5. You can’t measure your data strategy’s impact
What’s actually improved because of your data strategy? If the answer is unclear, you’re probably measuring activity, not outcomes. Track improvements in decision speed, customer satisfaction, or operational efficiency—not just data volume or report counts.
6. AI is treated as a future problem, not a current opportunity
Many organisations delay AI adoption, assuming it would be premature or too complex. But AI is already embedded in everyday tools and processes—from customer service automation to predictive analytics. If your data strategy doesn’t account for AI readiness (like strong data foundations, governance, and ethical frameworks), you risk falling behind.
If any of these red flags sound familiar, it’s time to take a closer look at your data strategy. Evinact can help.
A successful strategy isn’t just about collecting data—it’s about enabling people to use it confidently, collaboratively, and with purpose. That means investing in data literacy, embedding governance from the ground up, and measuring impact in terms of outcomes, not just activity.
Get in touch with our team
Learn more about how we can help you make your data strategy work for you.
