Data Usability

Data Usability is the key to being a Data Driven Organization.

To better understand, let’s refer to the difference between Useful and Usable.

• Useful means e.g., a system is fulfilling the business requirements and able to perform all the operation tasks.
• Usable means e.g., how easy the system is for operational tasks i.e., how automated it is, which makes the operator’s life easy.

Let’s map it with Data World. Consider, the marketing team needs data from, let’s say, 5 source systems to send campaigns to premium bank customers. Now, dumping data from all 5 source systems at one centralized location like Data Lake might be USEFUL as all sort of data is available at one place but it’s not USABLE unless until it is not converted into a format which marketing team can easily use to send campaigns. In other words, unless data is not formatted in a Data Warehouse or a Data Mart or in a Semantic Layer, it might not be usable for relevant team.

In the current era of Big Data where 90%+ data is coming from semi and unstructured data sources, of course all data is USEFUL, but if it’s not USABLE then there is no point having it in first place. So, ideally one must convert all semi and unstructured into structured format inside a proper data model for stakeholders.

‘The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of use. [The definition of usability in the ISO 9241 standard]’

Dimensions of Data Usability

• Data should be relevant for the stakeholders.
• Data Quality should be high so stakeholders can trust the data.
• Enough data points should be available for stakeholders, for decision making.
• Data should be assessable.
• Data be available in an ease-of-use format for analysis and analytics.

Characteristics of Data Usability

• Effective: Accurate and impactful
• Efficient: Time bound as required
• Appealing: Should be acceptable
• Understandable: Easy to understand
• Safe: Should be protected
• Memorable: Easy to understand that how to use
• Learnable: Should has all the instructions and manuals for easy learning
• Utilizable: Easy to download or send to other systems
• Accessible: To all relevant parties
• Reusable: On multiple types of devices e.g., desktops, laptops, mobiles, tablets etc.