Unlocking the Potential of Data Literacy: Eight Barriers and Best Practices to Overcome Them

Data Literacy is a crucial skill for any organization today, as it helps individuals and teams interpret, analyze, and use data effectively to make informed decisions. Leaders want “everyone, everywhere, and all at once” to become highly data-literate, demonstrating a high capability to read, work with, and analyze data. However, studies show that nearly 80% of people lack confidence in their Data Literacy skills, and 90% do not have high Data Literacy. This article delves into the best practices to improve Data Literacy and the barriers that need to be overcome.

The Current State of Data Literacy

Despite the increasing importance of data in today’s world, not much attention has been given to data literacy. Studies show that people do not have the necessary skills and knowledge to interpret data effectively, which has resulted in low confidence and poor computer literacy. These statistics pose a significant challenge to organizations that want to harness the benefits of their data.

Eight themes identified by Dr. Lynch

Dr. Lynch identified eight themes from DATAVERSITY focus groups conducted in early 2023 to understand why people and organizations find Data Literacy training difficult. These themes include lack of perceived relevance, lack of authority, lack of time and resources, lack of learning opportunities, lack of organizational culture, lack of clear goals, lack of trust in data, and lack of a unified language.

Best Practices for Improving Data Literacy

To overcome the barriers to data literacy, organizations should follow some best practices, including designating a competent expert who owns the effort to improve literacy, and this person should be from an area other than Data Governance or a data team. It is essential to have an expert who understands the importance of data literacy and can translate that into operational goals. Additionally, they should focus on providing relevant training and learning opportunities that meet the employees’ needs and schedules.

Example of a medical client

Dr. Lynch cites an example of a medical client she’s working with, where AI experts and clinical experts joined forces to improve data literacy. AI experts were more tech-savvy, while clinical experts were better able to diagnose and treat patients. Together, they created an environment where employees could improve their data literacy skills while remaining engaged in their core work.

The Evolution of Computing Access

The evolution of computing access over the years has made it possible for most people to use computers seamlessly, regardless of their knowledge of algorithms. Advances in hardware, personal computers (PCs), and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) have effectively opened computer access to everyone, providing a platform for people to improve their data literacy skills.

The role of translators

Translators play a significant role in bridging the gap between data-literate and non-technical team members. They provide a critical layer of communication, enabling team members to communicate with each other effectively. A translator’s primary role is to ensure that everyone on the team is speaking the same language, resulting in accurate and relevant data interpretation.

Technological advances

Technological advances, including natural language processing (NLP), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), can lower the barrier to gaining insights by opening access to less technical members. NLP can be used to interpret complex data sets and provide insights in layman’s terms, while AR and VR can help visualize data for greater understanding.

Data literacy is a vital skill that organizations need to leverage to take advantage of their data. This article discusses the best practices to improve data literacy in organizations and the barriers that need to be overcome to improve data literacy effectively. With this new perspective, executives can rethink data literacy training and address the eight barriers identified in this article. By doing so, they can unlock the potential of data literacy and use it to drive their businesses forward.

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