Data-driven information for action

Because of the increase in data and the possibilities created by machine learning, organizations are now looking to become more data-driven. In sociotechnical systems design there has been a focus on designing information for action to support decentralized organizations. The purpose of this article, published in Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. is to discuss how data may be gathered and used in organizations striving to become data-driven. Explorations are based on interviews with experts (leaders and designers) in 13 organizations working on becoming more data-driven. This study points to 4 findings: first, if someone is expected to record data that informs other people’s actions can lead to data quality issues, which can be mitigated by providing transparency or supporting a joint information for action as an organizational design choice. Second, as organizations are becoming more data-driven, many tasks performed in the organization become design-related. This influences the type of data recorded and used for action. Third, more of the people in the organizations engage in designing the information for action for themselves and others, which means that they might need reskilling. Fourth, the boundaries of what can be considered information for action and for whom should by explored and reflected upon by the people involved in the (re)design. This means that, as organizations strive to become data-driven, the sociotechnical principle of information flow becomes a central challenge. To ensure quality organizations, there is a need to upskill or reskill employees so that they are able to design and use data for action.