Data visualization can offer unique insight into a health sciences organization. This important work involves both healthcare professionals and the IT teams that provide communications platforms and support. Recently, we analyzed the digital asset management (DAM) needs of a global healthcare corporation. We learned that corporations need to integrate software, company culture and library skills. Healthcare libraries often present a complex mix of evidence-based research and user support; we shared the ways a librarian’s expertise could be leveraged to increase effectiveness and communication.
The following are a few lessons learned from our digital asset management project:
- Without a digital library to share content, visualization is difficult to generate or coordinate
- Marketing teams can use data visualization as a way to improve coordination across the enterprise
- When information is not shared across the enterprise, it creates silos of content that is often lost and not re-used
To capitalize on visualization opportunities at your organization, consider these four steps:
- Reflect on the unique and distinctive aspectsof data in your organization. How do staff or clients use your information: in what context and in what environment?
- Consider potential partnerswho can help your organization increase its data visualization skills.
- Identify the visualization opportunitiesthat your team can offer. Can you add technology to your services? What innovation is possible? How can the team be more effective?
- Develop a strategic programfor your data visualization needs. What is your organization up against? How can you overcome technical challenges? What are the risks of investment?
ACA can help you develop a strategic program. We are accomplished analysts, providing IT solutions by surveying the information needs of healthcare organizations, the IT/DAM landscape, and the information needs of teaching hospitals and healthcare organizations. Contact usto find out more.
