Technologies to use data have proliferated at mind-boggling rates. Different types of data are emerging, the amount of data we collect has increased almost exponentially and the trend will continue. The priority now is to put this data to work for us. We talk about data being an asset and giving us a competitive advantage, but that’s only true if we learn how to use data and apply that learning equally across our business landscape.
What’s the challenge?
Most companies today only apply data-driven practices sporadically. New problems are often solved only after searching laboriously for data across systems, followed by the time-consuming manual process of stitching this together and cleaning the data.
We know that many of the jobs people do today could be streamlined with better use of data, enabling them to be more effective and spending time on activities that add the greatest value – and are more interesting.
Why is this important?
Looking at BAE Systems, our order backlog means we need to deliver more and at a faster rate than ever before. We also know that we have a skills gap in society, so we can’t rely solely on hiring more people.
This means that applying automation, AI and predictive analytics right through design, production and into our products is a critical change, which we are now addressing. This will enable our teams to be more efficient, more productive and even give them more time to find insights, rather than just manually entering data.
Why are women an important part of the team?
Men outnumber women in the data workplace by four to one, but women do just as well earning maths and science degrees and are more equally represented in other areas of the workforce, so why not in data? That’s the question the recent Women in Data® conference tried to answer.
Women often think and behave differently, so where we rely on innovation and creativity to build analytical tools and solve data problems, building diverse and inclusive teams is critical to success.
That’s why many companies are working hard to empower their women in data and why the recent annual Women in Data® conference is supporting this trend. This year’s conference took the theme of women’s security and was the biggest gathering yet. There were more than 3,000 delegates and it was inspiring to see so many women coming together for gender equity and data excellence.
For the first time, BAE Systems was represented by more than 30 female employees, selected from across the business and covering different roles, geographies and grades. We listened to incredible women speakers, from data science entrepreneur Edwina Dunn to writer and activist Katie Piper on how she overcame adversity.
Our own Data Strategist, Holly Armitage, presented the results of her joint research into ‘The hidden reality of violence against women in UK’, while Kat Bruce, Head of Engineering Capability Management led roundtable discussions on women in the workplace. We also entered a team in the Women in Data® Safety Hackathon.
Our company also promoted inclusion at the event by sponsoring two women who translated the whole conference programme into sign language. Did you know that one in six people have a hearing challenge? I was so proud to see us supporting these women.
Separately to the conference, it was a very pleasant surprise to learn that both Dawn Carter, our Enterprise Data Architect and I earned industry recognition, being announced fourth in the Involve Heroes Top 100 Women Future Leaders, and sixth in the DataIQ 100 Most Influential People in Data respectively.
What’s the takeaway message?
Anyone can suffer from imposter syndrome, regardless of gender, but most studies suggest it hits women hardest. That’s why so many of my colleagues and I try to support events that remind women they are just as competent and have just as much right to be at the table. Combined with the extra creativity and problem solving that a diverse team can bring, it just makes sense to encourage more women to join the industry.
Effective use of data is fast becoming not just desirable, but necessary for business success. Without developing a clear strategy for data management from the shop floor to the executive team, it becomes very hard to do this. A very big part of making this happen is influencing people, so you need just as much skill in navigating relationships as you do a database.