The Clearly Podcast

Seduced by Technology

Summary

The podcast discusses the concept of being seduced by technology and its impact on projects, client interactions, and consultants. The conversation begins with light-hearted remarks about a recent haircut before diving into the main topic.

The first example given is an OLAP Cube implementation from 15 years ago that failed because it didn't address a real business need. This leads to a discussion on how businesses and consultants alike are often drawn to new technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence, even when they don't solve actual business problems.

The speakers highlight that the desire for new technology is driven by various motivations: businesses wanting to boast about their cutting-edge tech, consultants seeking to enhance their CVs, and IT professionals looking to upskill. They also touch on the hope that new technology will magically solve business issues, often spurred by vendor promises.

The conversation then shifts to the importance of addressing foundational issues such as data quality and governance before implementing advanced technologies. They emphasize learning from failed projects to improve future implementations and stress the need for honest conversations with clients about the limitations and prerequisites of new technologies.

The speakers agree that foundational work can run parallel to more glamorous projects, and it's crucial to set realistic expectations and prioritize essential groundwork for long-term success. They conclude by agreeing to discuss BI foundational levels in the next episode.

You can download Power BI Desktop from here.

If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here.

Transcript

Andy: How are we all doing today?

Tom: Very good, thanks. How about you?

Andy: Yeah, good. Excited because today we're talking about seduction. I've had a haircut too.

Shailan: Oh yes, a haircut to go with the seduction theme.

Andy: Yeah, the hair I have left has been cut. I have to adjust the microphone headband to cover the bald spots.

Tom: Is that why you got a bigger headband now?

Andy: Yeah, finding one big enough was a challenge. Being 6'2", not everyone notices my thinning hair unless we're in elevators with mirrors and harsh lighting. Anyway, moving on from my hair challenges, today we discuss the seduction of technology and its impact on projects, client interactions, and us as consultants. This topic was suggested by Tom, so I'll hand over to you, Tom.

Tom: This topic came to mind thinking back about 15 years ago during one of my first OLAP Cube implementations. A senior board member decided the company needed a cube without understanding what it was or how it would function. It was a fashionable technology then, but it didn't fill a real business need, leading to a less successful project.

Andy: So, if the project didn't address a business need, could it have succeeded in any way?

Tom: Probably not. It worked to an extent but didn't provide users with the data they needed for day-to-day tasks, like appointments and workflow information. Instead, it offered high-level analysis that wasn't useful.

Andy: In our data analytics world now, what's the technology seducing everyone?

Tom: We all know the answer: machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI).

Shailan: Data science and ML are the big ones. Businesses think they can predict outcomes based on historical data, but it might not always serve a business need.

Andy: It's not just clients but also consultants who want these technologies on their CVs. Both sides are guilty of this seduction.

Shailan: There are three areas: client IT, client business side, and consulting. Sometimes, IT wants to implement cutting-edge tech without a real business need, just to stay current.

Tom: For businesses, it's often about boasting the latest technology to peers. Consultants want the latest tech on their CVs for career progression. IT professionals may see it as a way to upskill.

Andy: Is there a hope that new technology will fulfill a business requirement because top companies use it?

Shailan: Yes, but it often leads to failed implementations. However, these failures can skill people for future projects. Sometimes, personal gain drives this seduction, but there's also hope for solving business issues.

Tom: Vendors also sell these technologies as solutions to all problems, which isn't true. The hardest issues to address are often behaviors and processes.

Andy: Accepting failure as a learning experience is crucial. I'm reading "Black Box Thinking" by Matthew Syed, which emphasizes learning from failures to improve.

Shailan: It's about diagnosing the motivation behind the seduction and finding genuine benefits.

Tom: It's also about ensuring there aren't bigger questions that could be answered with simpler, cheaper solutions. We need to tell clients that addressing foundational issues like data quality will lead to better outcomes for glamorous projects like ML later.

Andy: It's tough to have these conversations with clients who want immediate solutions. However, addressing foundational issues is essential for long-term success.

Shailan: Data governance officers can help organizations prioritize foundational issues. Consultants must highlight the benefits of addressing these issues first.

Tom: Sometimes, foundational work can run parallel to more glamorous projects. It's important to bite the bullet and have these conversations upfront.

Andy: Agreed. We need to ensure organizations recognize and address their foundational issues for better outcomes in the future.

Shailan: Absolutely. Failed projects often highlight the need for foundational improvements. It's essential to have these discussions early to set projects up for success.

Andy: Great points. Let's wrap up. Next week, let's discuss BI foundational levels. Sound good?

Tom & Shailan: Sounds good.

Andy: Thanks, everyone. Great conversation. See you next week.