Building Data Literacy

The impact of data literacy for organizations

To explore enterprise data literacy, upskilling, and related organizational issues, challenges, and benefits, we commissioned Forrester Consulting to conduct surveys with over 2,000 decision makers and employees in 10 countries. The survey found that organizations that invest in data literacy and upskilling at scale—especially those with more mature initiatives—experience powerful benefits like improved decision making, innovation, productivity, customer and employee experience, and more.

Both decision makers and employees in various departments all consider basic data literacy as the most important skill for success. While everyone agrees that data skills are important for workforce success, there is disagreement on whether or not employees are being adequately trained. Forrester found a gap between the need for data skills training and implementation—which is harming organizations’ competitiveness.

82% of leaders expect all employees to have basic data literacy

70% of employees are expected to heavily use data by 2025, up from 40% in 2018

79% of leaders say departments equip employees with needed data skills, but only…

40% of employees say they’re provided the data skills they’re expected to have

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