Data Leadership Roundtable: the hard truths about scaling Data Management

Last week we hosted the first edition of the Data Leadership Roundtables, a series of events crafted to bridge the gap between the theory and reality of Data Management. Designed for executives and data leaders, the event consists of small-group discussions where participants do case study deep-dives and share the lessons learned the hard way when scaling Data Management.

For the first event, we had the pleasure of welcoming our partner ASML. Alex Sinitsyn PhD, Principal Data & AI solutions Architect, and Marisa Pumares, people agenda lead, shared their experience with the people and organizational aspects of scaling Data Management. Specifically, the challenges that lie at the intersection of data, technology, people and organization. Bridging theory with practice is a fraught process, even for the most sophisticated companies out there.

Figure 1. Introducing and debating the case study

The attending companies – all world-class organizations who shape the markets within which they operate – use Data & AI as a means to an end. As a result, there is an ongoing tension between, on the one hand, the business goals that are the primary focus of the company, and, on the other hand, the secondary activities – like Data Management – that underpin the ability of a company to achieve its goals.

Figure 2. Companies who made the Data Leadership Roundtable a success

Here are three key takeaways from the day.

Takeaway 1: achieving synergies vs. scaling up are two distinct sets of challenges

Companies scaling Data Management typically reach two key milestones.

The first occurs when, having built separate use cases across different functions, departments, or business units, companies feel the need to drive synergies across these use cases to develop and industrialize them at scale. This is driven by the realization that this next step is an important enabler for the next wave of value to be gained from Data & AI.

The second milestone occurs when companies are at an advanced stage of scaling Data Management – for example in response to regulatory trends. And, having built the technological platforms to do so, they now struggle to drive adoption – and therefore deliver the full value of Data Management.

This brings us to the second takeaway.

Takeaway 2: “If you build it, success will come” does not work – if it ever did

Even companies with visionary leaders and well-executed transformation projects face setbacks. The common struggles include broader adoption of new Data Management solutions across functional or regional areas, departments, or business units. These hurdles often arise not from technical gaps but from people-driven challenges. Scaling Data Management requires maintaining momentum, securing organizational buy-in, and overcoming resistance at various levels. The role of C-level sponsorship is vital in this process, as leadership support accelerates adoption and amplifies impact. Ultimately, building advocacy and momentum involves building a culture of engagement, trust, and collaboration.

Takeaway 3: moving from defence to offense

Market trends – regulatory, compliance, competitive forces, etc. can prompt companies to implement Data Management defensively – i.e. as a "must-do" task. While this urgency drives implementation, it often leads to a perception of Data Management as a burdensome necessity rather than a strategic opportunity. To extract value from Data Management, the challenge is to reposition it as a value-driving initiative that supports the business.

Looking ahead

Data has shifted from a side topic in the boardrooms to the heart of business strategy. Companies are reinventing and re-organizing themselves around data, but technology is only one enabler of success – stakeholder management, leadership buy-in and aligning human capital are central to successful data transformation journeys.

More broadly, theory often falls apart when execution begins. Our Data Leadership Roundtables brought to light the need to build a community of leaders who shape the success path of their organizations, by sharing real life experience. If you’d like to join this community, register your interest here.