Bring HR Data to Life - The Power of Visualization, by Jason Averbook

Individuals for hundreds of years have been using the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words". This same famous phrase holds true for how Human Resource and Information Technology organizations are being asked to deliver data today to their various stakeholders throughout an enterprise. Visualization of data is truly the next frontier to ensure that data is not only available and accurate, but is beginning to tell a story and ACTION can be more easily taken on it.

Human Resource leaders for years are used to seeing data in really only two different formats. One is a very flat view of transactional data such as headcount or regrettable turnover as a few examples. What this data means, where it is an issue and what to do about it are in the heads of the leaders. The other is in a traditional organizational charting view that helps what organizational hierarchy but doesn't tell a true picture without the leader needing to go back and ask more questions through various channels in HR and IT. Both of these have worked for HR over the past 10-15 years, but it is time for a change.

Lets use this time to create a data manifesto in our organization. As part of creating that manifesto, it is imperative that we understand the outputs that are needed both from the business and the leaders within the HR ranks. Once we understand the outputs such as metrics, measures and key performance indicators that are needed, we can then use the tools that we already have at our disposal to "bring to life" the data needed to drive new visibility and "actionability" within our organizations.

The time is now for HR to accept the challenge of delivering information differently than in the past. This is already occurring in many other parts of the business and it is leaving HR in the dust and leaving the impact that once again, HR is not strategic and "doesn't get" what the business needs. Bring your data to life, energize and refresh leaders with a sense of action, and most of all – be able to demonstrate the impact of the action taken against the data.

OrgPlus is an amazing tool to assist you in accepting this challenge. As your homework from this first in a series of pieces I will be writing; create ONE new view of data that helps your HR leader see data in a new light. Show them their "spans of control". Show them their "average tenure of workforce by division". Show them their "high risk employees and managers". This is a wake up call that all leaders need and the only way that HR can truly provide it is by bringing data to life through visualization.

Write to me with questions and let me know how it is working. Will publish some great stories in my next piece. For now, visualize the future and drive change.

You can reach Jason Averbook by email: jason.averbook @ knowledge-infusion.com

A short biography: Jason Averbook
Jason Averbook is Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Knowledge Infusion, a strategic consulting organization that works collaboratively with clients to help them achieve true business results from HCM technologies. With more than 15 years of experience in the HR and technology industry, including senior management positions at PeopleSoft and Ceridian, Jason has worked with industry leading companies around the world to help them transform their HR organizations into strategic partners. Jason was honored this year by Human Capital Magazine as a recipient of its Future HR Leader Award and is a frequent speaker and contributor to industry publications and events worldwide.