Searching for an Effective Business Strategy?
In a recent article published in the Harvard Business Review, authors John Ladley and Thomas C. Redman write that while many success stories confirm data can add enormous value, most organizations still struggle to build data into their business strategies and, conversely, to align their data efforts to the needs of the business.
How do you know if your strategy is adding value to your business?
When data is properly integrated into a business strategy, the authors assert that data can accelerate many business strategies by improving the processes and empowering the people needed to execute them.
To do this, you will need to focus on looking at data and strategy through the lens of six value modes.
What are they?
- Improved processes
- Improved competitive position
- New and improved products
- Informationalization (building data into products)
- Improved human capabilities
- Improved risk management.
How do you cross-reference or connect these six value modes to your project strategy?
Our Starter Edition is completely free—no downloads, no installation, and no IT involvement required. In just a few minutes, you can start mapping your strategy to the six value modes and see exactly where data can create the most impact for your business. All you need is your browser and a clear idea of the projects you’re working on today.
With the Starter Edition, you can quickly translate the six value modes from theory into action. The platform walks you through how each mode—improved processes, improved competitive position, new and improved products, informationalization, improved human capabilities, and improved risk management—relates directly to your real initiatives. You’ll see which modes you’re already supporting, where the gaps are, and where a small shift in focus could generate outsized results.
Use our industry-tested project templates to quickly connect your goals, data initiatives, and value modes in a clear, structured way. These templates are based on common, real-world use cases, so you’re not starting from a blank page. Simply select a template that matches your type of project, plug in your objectives, and follow the guided steps to align your efforts to measurable business outcomes. As you work, the tool helps you clarify ownership, identify required data assets, and surface potential risks or dependencies.
Each template is designed to make your thinking visible. You can document assumptions, link activities to specific value modes, and capture early success metrics—all in one place. This makes it easier to communicate with stakeholders, secure buy-in, and keep teams aligned as projects evolve.
By starting with the Starter Edition, you reduce guesswork, save time and money, and give your team a practical, low-risk way to explore how data can strengthen your processes, sharpen your competitive position, and support a more effective overall strategy. You can test ideas, compare different approaches, and refine your strategy before committing significant budget or resources.
Most importantly, the Starter Edition helps you build confidence. Your team learns a repeatable way to connect data work to the six value modes so that future projects start on stronger footing. As you see which initiatives deliver clear value, you’ll be better prepared to scale your efforts, invest wisely, and turn data into a consistent, strategic advantage for your organization.