Connection of Roles and Space Data Dimensions of a Chief Data Officer and Consultant

Please make a comment on Emma's response to Question 2.

Module 7 Response Requirement:

Base on Emma’s response, please comment for 100 words on her ideas.

Emma’s response on Question 2 

Question 2: Have you seen anyone around you (your work, from this class or yourself? ) Who could become an excellent Chief Data Officer (a seminal CDO journal article available) in the future? Why?

I think that my consulting professor would become an excellent Chief Data Officer in the future. Although an outside perspective might assume there are no similarities between consulting and data management, I have made many connections upon reading this article that strengthen my claim in my professor's abilities.

As learned through this reading - A Cubic Framework for the Chief Data Officer: Succeeding in a World of Big Data - there are three key dimensions involved in the CDO role  - collaboration, data space, and value impact. As for collaboration, a CDO must be a strong candidate in both internal and external collaboration efforts. Regarding internal efforts, the article informs us that this role, “depends heavily on the ability to effectively lead the relevant internal stakeholders and map out the transformation journey” (Lee et al., 2014). Essentially, this is what a consultant does in their work for a client - they take the client from point a to point b, deliver measurable value, and clearly facilitate proper change. With that being said, I think my professor's experience in consulting sets him up to take on this internal collaboration with ease. Furthermore, the external collaborators aim to “persuade and collaborate with external partners” (Lee et al., 2014). Again, a direct correlation to a consultant's relationship with their client.

Although the connections to the dimension of data space are not as direct, I think still think they can be powerfully drawn together. For example, the article states that “CDOs focused on big data provide the leadership to adapt to and manage the analysis of this new, diverse type of data and to gain insights from these analyses” (Lee et al., 2014). Analysis, relationship building, and project management are the three essential skills for a successful consultant. It will be important to build relationships to foster deeper analysis, as well as effectively manage projects to successfully adhere to the dimension of data space. The necessary skill set for a consultant provides a strong foundation for what the position of a CDO encounters within this respective dimension.

Lastly, I certainly think that there is a direct correlation between the value space dimension, and the value a consultant provides for their client. The article informs the reader that this dimension focuses on, “ways to develop new market niches, or to transform the company so it can develop smarter products and services” (Lee et al., 2014). Furthermore, the article went on to say that, “The CDO’s role can focus on improving services or on exploring new strategic opportunities for the organization… the CDO role is a direct response to the on-going need for executive oversight and accountability to improve existing organizational functions” (Lee et al., 2014). Throughout my time in MGMT4550 (Management Consulting in Organizations) this semester, I can certainly say that I have learned that consultants obtain this same role and responsibilities when working with their clients. The superpower of a consultant is their objectivity, which serves to be a strength when it comes to executive oversight and improving existing processes. As previously mentioned, a management consultant brings a client from point A to point B by overseeing the client organization, analyzing the current processes at hand, and determining the root cause for the presented issues. In the end, a consultant drives change and creates value that leads to measurable improvements for their client - it seems as though the CDO does just the same with the organization in which they are employed.

References:

Lee, Y.W. Madnick, S. Wang, R. Wang, F. Zhang, H. (2014). A Cubic Framework for the Chief Data Officer: Succeeding in a World of Big Data. MIS Quarterly Executive.