What Is a Citizen Data Scientist (CDS)?
When we talk about using data for decision-making, we instinctively think of numbers, code, calculations and endless spreadsheets.
The Citizen Data Scientist concept proposes something different: the idea is that anyone can become a data scientist, able to work with and understand the data the company produces without major obstacles.
The possibility of non-technical people working with data emerged with the advent of “auto machine learning,” or “AutoML” (software that provides methods and processes to generate machine learning code), which fueled calls for data democratization.
It is worth noting that these people, known as CDS, often lack data expertise but understand the business as a whole. That is why they can look at the data and identify the best way to solve problem X or Y.
This is precisely what distinguishes a Data Scientist from a Citizen Data Scientist: the former is primarily responsible for storing data and has technical IT expertise, while the latter analyzes that data and develops potential solutions to problems or business strategies.
Why it matters
Many companies may wonder why a CDS matters. The answer is simple: these professionals help solve problems quickly and simply, whether in marketing, product distribution, the production line and so on.
This is made possible through data and market analysis.
In large companies with multiple business units, each area can have its own CDS to analyze the relevant data and help scale sales or production.
Finally, it is important to note that both data-driven decision-making and data democratization are directly tied to Data Mesh and its pillars.
What are the risks?
In a recent article, Harvard Business Review outlined a series of issues that can put a Citizen Data Scientist culture at risk.
One risk is hiring untrained, inexperienced professionals who may misinterpret the data the company produces, which can also increase the chance that the company will not see the expected return on the investment made in hiring them.
We would go further and add another potential risk: professionals lacking a platform that is easy to understand, non-technical and properly secured.
There is a solution for that risk: the Starburst platform, which gives its clients a single, secure point of access to all their data without compromising data democratization.
To learn more about Digiage and Starburst, contact us and discover a platform that can help you build a CDS culture securely and make decision-making clearer and simpler.