In today's fast-paced business world, data is only valuable if it leads to actionable insights. Yet, many organizations still view their Data and Analytics (D&A) implementation as a process culminating in a static, scheduled report.
At Mastek, we believe this traditional, report-centric mindset falls short. Our Data analytics and AI implementation approach is fundamentally shifting focus—it's not about creating a report but about enabling our partners for self-service discovery with Data and AI.
The Limitations of the "Report-First" Approach
Relying exclusively on scheduled reports introduces several notable challenges:
* Time Lag: By the time a report is generated, reviewed, and distributed, the data may no longer reflect current conditions, resulting in missed opportunities for timely action in AI and data analytics workflows.
* Limited Analytical Depth: Reports typically present only a predefined perspective. While they can convey what occurred, they seldom enable users to explore underlying causes or subsequent steps without requesting additional analyses from the Data & Analytics (D&A) team.
* IT/D&A Team Dependency: Business users frequently depend on a centralized data analytics and artificial intelligence function for each data query or adjustment, potentially hindering organizational responsiveness and positioning the D&A team as a bottleneck.
* Reduced Investigative Initiative: Static reports may inadvertently restrict domain experts’ ability to pursue data anomalies or insights in real time across multiple dimensions.
Read more: how AI for Data Analysis transforms information into actionable foresight
Mastek's Shift: The Power of Self-Service Discovery
The AI and data analytics strategy aims to develop a strong data foundation and provide tools that enable business users to perform their own analyses, utilising their understanding of the data and its context.
Key Pillars of Mastek’s Self-Service Data Discovery Approach
1. Unified and Trusted Data Fabric
Mastek places great emphasis on creating a single, unified source of truth for all organisational data. To achieve this, robust data governance frameworks are implemented, alongside modern data fabric architectures. These measures ensure that the data available to business partners is clean, consistent, and readily accessible. As a result, users can engage with information, confident in its accuracy and reliability. This foundational trust is essential for any successful self-service analytics initiative.
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2. Intuitive, Context-Rich Platforms
Empowering business users requires more than simply making data available—it demands platforms that are intuitive and contextually rich. Mastek leverages leading Data & Analytics platforms to provide a suite of user-friendly tools designed for independent exploration and analysis:
- Custom Dashboards: Dynamic dashboards are developed to serve as investigative starting points, rather than static reports. These dashboards display high-level Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) while enabling users to filter, slice, and dice data instantly, supporting deeper analysis.
- Natural Language Querying (NLQ): Tools are provided that allow users to interact with data using plain English queries, such as “Show me sales in Europe for Q3 2024 by product line.” This functionality lowers barriers to entry and empowers non-technical users to access insights independently.
- Metadata and Cataloging: Comprehensive cataloguing and documentation ensure that users can swiftly locate relevant datasets, understand their lineage, and interpret each metric accurately. This clarity is vital for effective and autonomous data discovery.
3. Enabling and Upskilling Partners
True self-service in data analytics is only possible when partners are enabled and upskilled through Data and AI. Mastek’s approach includes dedicated efforts to ensure users are fully equipped to make the most of available data and tools:
- Targeted Training: Training programmes are tailored to the distinct needs of different user personas, whether they are Marketing Analysts or Supply Chain Managers. Each session focuses on the specific tools and datasets relevant to their roles, enhancing their ability to leverage data effectively.
- “Citizen Data Scientist” Programmes: Mastek supports organisations in identifying and nurturing power users within each business unit. These individuals become advocates for analytics and serve as first-line support for their colleagues, driving broader adoption and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making.
The Business Impact: Speed, Agility, and Innovation
Ongoing Support and Community Engagement: Beyond formal training, Mastek fosters an environment of continuous learning and peer collaboration. Regular workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and user forums are established to encourage the exchange of best practices and real-world solutions.
This community-centric approach ensures that users remain confident and up to date as technologies and business needs evolve.
