Why Data Initiatives Fail
Before Technology
Ever Becomes the Problem
Resources from Stacie Christensen’s CDOIQ presentation.
Technology amplifies discipline. It does not create discipline.
Thank You
Thank you for attending my session.
I appreciate you taking the time to join the conversation. If there’s one idea I hope you take away, it’s this:
Most data initiatives fail long before technology ever becomes the problem.
Technology matters. But ownership, governance, definitions, and organizational alignment determine whether technology succeeds.
Key Takeaway: The Five Principles
Ownership before technology
Technology cannot own data. People do.
Definitions before dashboards
Dashboards visualize information. They cannot resolve disagreement.
Governance before scale
Governance should be designed into data, not added after trust is lost.
Simplicity before complexity
Complexity accumulates. Clarity must be intentional.
Alignment before automation
Technology amplifies existing behavior. It does not create discipline.