Use Self-Service Analytics to Design a Human-Friendly Workplace

A workplace designed for human beings is what differentiates today’s leading companies. It’s what helps companies attract and retain talent, the number one issue on the minds of CEOs.

What does it mean to design a workplace for people? Think about how workers use technology at home versus how they use it at work. You probably know there are some differences, but the gap turns out to be fairly large.

“Saturday and Sunday, we’re masters of the universe, but Monday through Friday, we’re dweebs,” said Geoffrey Moore, bestselling author and technology influencer, at the 2012 Hadoop Summit in San Jose.

According to Gartner’s digital workplace research, workplace computing systems tend to have process-centric interfaces that limit application choices, content, and application mobility.

Consumer computing environments, on the other hand, are defined by the apps and software the owners choose to use. They have user-oriented interfaces, disposable applications, rich content, and assumed app mobility.

The key is to bridge this gap and give employees technology they actually like to use, Moore said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

When the user experience is delightful, people can focus on brainstorming, solving problems and other value-adding activities instead of thinking about which button they need to press or how to create a complex SQL statement.

Self-service analytics help bridge this gap and boost employees’ skills and productivity. As one of the most critical tools of the modern workplace, it empowers analysts, managers, and C-suite executives with insights they’ve never had before. With greater visibility, people start to feel a greater sense of ownership over their role and take more initiative to drive results.

Looking to introduce or expand self-service analytics in your organization? To ensure the system will work for the whole group, spend more time with leaders across the board to understand the needs of different groups, including their workflows, communication preferences, decision-making processes, and of course, the data that matters to them. Then, work closely with stakeholders across your organization to define the requirements for the self-service analytics platform, and the roles and responsibilities each group will take on.

By leading the charge, your role will take on a new level of importance. Other leaders will start to see you as a valuable business partner and a true leader. This doesn’t happen overnight, and don’t expect the process to be completely smooth. But putting in the effort is worthwhile. After all, your employees are your company’s most valuable resource.