How to measure the organisation's data literacy level?
How to measure the organisation's data literacy level?
Investing in new data tools can be inefficient if users are not properly trained to utilise them. It’s very common for organisations to forget the importance of their employees' data literacy while focusing on new development projects. This is why we have developed a data literacy test in collaboration with our clients that allows us to concretely measure and guide the development of an organisation's data literacy.
Data literacy mirrors decision making quality
We have encountered far too many organisations suffering from digital overload. Project portfolios are bulging with various digital projects aimed at producing new information work tools that smooth out the workday (business dashboards, forecasting applications, personalised reports, etc.). At the same time, conversations with employees often reveal a completely different reality: there's a lukewarm attitude towards new tools, especially when the learning curve for previous ones hasn't been addressed yet, and confidence in their own skills is shaky. The usage rate of these tools is low and will remain so unless something is done differently.
Our core expertise includes developing sophisticated dashboards and data solutions. However, we also want to help organisations utilise these as broadly and effectively as possible, while genuinely improving their own operations. That's why, in collaboration with our clients, we have developed a data literacy test. With this tool, any organisation can quickly and factually assess the data literacy level of their employees. The test also identifies key areas for development, which, when improved, achieve the greatest benefits efficiently.
The data literacy test consists of three sections, assessing both the individual and the entire organisation's maturity level in understanding and utilising data. Additionally, the test includes a competence section comprised of multiple-choice questions, where the employee aims to select the correct answer, for example, by interpreting data visualisations. The test can be conducted traditionally as a one-time web survey, live during internal data and analytics events or as part of a broader employee training program.
Harness your organisation's journey to develop data literacy
- Build a solid foundation for your organisation's data literacy. Developing data literacy requires identifying the starting level of the entire organisation.
- Identify and implement concrete actions to promote data literacy. Provide support and personalised training paths based on individuals' levels of data literacy.
- Develop a repeatable measurement method to assess the development of data literacy. Data literacy must be measured regularly to understand progress. Make the measurement process enjoyable, serving as a pillar of support for personal skill development.
At AFRY, we are happy to help your organisation get started on its data journey and support you through its various stages. The measurement method developed by AFRY’s data solutions experts makes it easy and enjoyable to follow the development of data literacy, and it provides the keys for the development of organisational capabilities and brings reliability to decision-making. That's precisely why data literacy is the new citizenship skill.
