From data maze to clarity: strategy as key to understanding performance

Many organisations struggle with gaining good insight into their performance - both within internal organisation and in interaction with customers. The will is often there: dashboards are set up, reports prepared and data is collected in abundance. But then it falters. Because despite the abundance of available data, the insight that really helps to adjust or improve is often lacking.

The cause lies deeper than a technical problem or a lack of tools. The root of the problem starts with the strategy itself.

Too much data, too little direction

Organisations today have an abundance of data. Operational data, customer data, financial figures, process information - the list is endless. But without clear frameworks and direction, the relevance of that data becomes blurred. Which data actually belongs to which performance indicator? And are these indicators clearly defined at all?

In many cases it appears that there are critical performance indicators (KPIs), but that these are not directly derived from concrete strategic goals. Or worse: the strategy consists mainly of abstract statements such as “we want to be customer-oriented” or “we strive for innovation”. Nice ambitions, but without context or linkage to measurable factors, they remain hollow phrases.

Strategy must be both concrete and measurable

An effective strategy not only gives direction, it also names it:

• The problem to be solved;

• The critical success factors needed to achieve the goal;

• The indicators by which you can tell if it is working:

• The measurement tools you use to collect data.

When these elements are missing, a gap remains between the “big words” of the strategic plan and the day-to-day practice of information delivery, process management and customer interaction.

A digital strategy is not mature until it makes clear choices about value proposition, technology, data flows and organisational setup. So that includes formulating your strategy in such a way that it gives concrete direction on the use of data. Without that focus, digital maturity remains out of reach.

The TIMAF Strategy Game as a practical solution

To bridge the gap between strategy and data, the TIMAF strategy game offers a structured and approachable method. This game brings together stakeholders from different disciplines to interactively develop a concrete, measurable strategy. No more vague ambitions, but clear choices:

1. What is the real problem we want to solve?

2. What factors determine success?

3. What indicators are appropriate?

4. How will we measure and monitor them?

This approach not only creates more commitment to strategy, but also makes it possible to link targeted data to performance - and to actually understand and improve that performance.

Use the free TIMAF strategy game

Do you want to get rid of data wrestling in your organisation? Then take the first step toward a workable and measurable strategy today.

Download the TIMAF Strategy Game for free and use it to set a sharp, goal-oriented course with your team - including success factors, indicators and measuring instruments.

This is how you lay the foundation for information that does contribute to better decisions, satisfied customers and a more agile organisation.