What would you consider as the biggest challenge faced by CDOs today?

I would consider the biggest challenge to be the crucial task of transforming our organizations so that data are an integral part of our decision-making processes and strategies.  So many components must come together—not the least of which are the People who need to buy in to the transformation and help it become a reality.

How do you think Big Data will impact your industry?

In Healthcare Data & Analytics will help us achieve our Triple Aim of better care, reduced cost and improved access.  We will enable to make data-driven decisions that will prioritise overall business strategies, pinpoint areas that need improvements, recommend most effective approaches to address those, and, as a result, improve outcomes and experience of our customers (patients and families).

In your opinion, do people, in general, in your organization appreciate the value of data in decision-making? What do you think can be done to improve the situation? 

I think more and more people are appreciating the value of data. For example, the USNWR Benchmarking Improvement program (cdoanalytics.org) we have put in place to leverage USNWR data has led to better care outcomes, which is our number one priority.

How would you explain the role of a CDO to a fresh graduate?

A Chief Data Officer is in charge of managing data as an asset to an organization just as a Chief Financial Officer manages money.  How should data be gathered, where should they be kept, what are they telling us… are all questions that a CDO needs to answer.  Data may not be shrink-wrapped and shipped at Christmas, but they are as valuable as money. Data are you product, are your business, are You!

How do you see the role of CDO evolving in the next 3-5 years?

The CDO role will continue to evolve to include even more collaboration.  Although the title has a “D” in it—data will not transform into knowledge that leads to action and outcomes unless People are invested in that transformation. And that investment is a group effort. Also there will be more CDOs who play offensively on leveraging data through advanced analytics. Then there will be more CAOs – Chief Analytics Officers and CDAOs – Chief Data & Analytics Officers.

Putting up a credible data analytics infrastructure is always a cost issue? How would you justify this to your company’s CEO/CFO?

Leveraging data correctly though analytics will enable better-informed, effective decisions based on reality, rather than only “gut feeling”.  This saves time and money, reduces waste, and prioritizes business strategies and execution.