How the adaptation of ‘Geek logik’ thinking can help you choose the best executive sponsor for your next Big Data idea.
Calculating the Big Data X-Factor
Any approach to implementing a Big Data initiative will require change in how your organisation funds, delivers and monitors information management solutions. Consequently, your ideal sponsor will need to have a positive Big Data Sponsorship Acceptance Factor.
The equation to find your ideal Big Data executive sponsor is……
(S / C) (A / (D + 1)) + Y2 / 3(F + 1) = BDSAF
where:
S = how many information needs and business priorities you share?
C = how many conflicting interests you have between you?
A = the number daily instances where you associate information management opportunities with this individual?
D = the average number of performance management KPI disagreements you have with this person monthly?
Y = how many years you and your potential sponsor have worked together?
F = if both your teams were in a meeting, the number of times their would be uncomfortable friction during the conversation?
A BDSAF above 1 (the higher the better) constitutes a good potential executive sponsor for your Big Data initiative.
I stress, I have adapted one of the many fantastic equations in Garth Sundams book to create this example which is a must read even for flawed mathematicians such as I!
What makes a great Big Data executive sponsor?
I have blogged recently on the challenges of starting a Big Data Initiative and the fact that adopting lean startup-like concepts could be the route to success. Should you follow this reasoning, it is critical your potential sponsor has a number of complementary attributes.
They must:
- be prepared to embrace ambiguity as an opportunity to deliver real insight
- has a passion for information and, an incumbent frustration with the current status quo
- view Big Data as a means to drive actionable change in the organisation
- understand that a cycle of mistakes will occur before success and protect development
- be the initial beneficiary of developed generated Big Data insights
- fund transitional IT to get things moving and then ensure the solution is repatriated
So have you chosen a marriage made in heaven?
So, in short, a difficult individual to locate but, given I ported my equation from a calculation designed to determine if a given marriage will stand the test of time, perhaps not quite as difficult after all!!!!