Mobilize Your Data Democracy

MIT CISR

Nick van der Meulen reads MIT CISR's September 2025 research briefing, which he co-authored with Ida Someh, Barb Wixom, and Cynthia Beath. See the text version and related content at https://cisr.mit.edu/publication/2025_0901_DataDemocracy_VanderMeulenSomehWixomBeath. Abstract: Many organizations fail to realize value from their data investments, with only an average of 28 percent of employees drawing on reusable data assets. This briefing positions as a solution establishing a data democracy: an organizational state where all employees have data access, skills, motivation, and guidance for strategic use. We present a framework showing how specific connecting structures, such as centers of excellence and cross-functional teams, can amplify democratization practices. By intentionally designing this organizational state, leaders can increase the use of their organization’s available data assets, achieve greater employee empowerment, and maximize financial returns on their data investments.