067 - Why Roche Diagnostics’ BI and Data Science Teams Are Adopting Human-Centered Design and UX featuring Omar Khawaja

On today’s episode of Experiencing Data, I’m so excited to have Omar Khawaja on to talk about how his team is integrating user-centered design into data science, BI and analytics at Roche Diagnostics.    In this episode, Omar and I have a great discussion about techniques for creating more user-centered data products that produce value — as well as how taking such an approach can lead to needed change management on how data is used and interpreted.   In our chat, we covered:  What Omar is responsible for in his role as Head of BI & Analytics at Roche Diagnostics — and why a human-centered design approach to data analytics is important to him. (0:57) Understanding the end-user's needs: Techniques for creating more user-centric products — and the challenges of taking on such an approach. (6:10) Dissecting 'data culture': Why Omar believes greater implementation of data-driven decision-making begins with IT 'demonstrating' the approach's benefits. (9:31) Understanding user personas: How Roche is delivering better outcomes for medical patients by bringing analytical insights to life. (15:19) How human-centered design yields early 'actionable insights' that can lead to needed change management on how data is used and interpreted. (22:12) The journey of learning: Why 'it's everybody's job' to be focused on user experience — and how field research can help determine an end-users needs. (27:26) Omar's love of cricket and the statistics collected about the sport! (31:23)   Resources and Links: Roche Diagnostics: https://www.roche.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmaomar/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmaomar Quotes from Today’s Episode “I’ve been in the area of data and analytics since two decades ago, and out of my own learning — and I’ve learned it the hard way — at the end of the day, whether we are doing these projects or products, they have to be used by the people. The human factor naturally comes in.” - Omar (2:27)   “Especially when we’re talking about enterprise software, and some of these more complex solutions, we don’t really want people noticing the design to begin with. We just want it to feel valuable, and intuitive, and useful right out of the box, right from the start.” - Brian (4:08)   “When we are doing interviews with [end-users] as part of the whole user experience [process], you learn to understand what’s being said in between the lines, and then you learn how to ask the right questions. Those exploratory questions really help you understand: What is the real need?” - Omar (8:46)   “People are talking about data-driven [cultures], data-informed [cultures] — but at the end of the day, it has to start by demonstrating what change we want. ... Can we practice what we are trying to preach? Am I demonstrating that with my team when I’m making decisions in my day-to-day life? How do I use the data? IT is very good at asking our business colleagues and sometimes fellow IT colleagues to use various enterprise IT and business tools. Are we using, ourselves, those tools nicely?” - Omar (11:33)   “We focus a lot on what’s technically possible, but to me, there’s often a gap between the human need and what the data can actually support. And the bigger that gap is, the less chance things get used. The more we can try to close that gap when we get into the implementation stage, the more successful we probably will be with getting people to care and to actually use these solutions.” - Brian (22:20)   “When we are working in the area of data and analytics, I think it’s super important to know how this data and insights will be used — which requires an element of putting yourself in the user’s shoes. In the case of an enterprise setup, it’s important for me to understand the end-user in different roles and personas: What they are doing and how their job is. [This involves] sitting with them, visiting them, visiting the labs, visiting the factory floors, sitting with the finance team, and learning what they do

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Are you an enterprise data or product leader seeking to increase the user adoption and business value of your ML/AI and analytical data products? While it is easier than ever to create ML and analytics from a technology perspective, do you find that getting users to use, buyers to buy, and stakeholders to make informed decisions with data remains challenging? If you lead an enterprise data team, have you heard that a ”data product” approach can help—but you’re not sure what that means, or whether software product management and UX design principles can really change consumption of ML and analytics? My name is Brian T. O’Neill, and on Experiencing Data—one of the top 2% of podcasts in the world—I offer you a consulting product designer’s perspective on why simply creating ML models and analytics dashboards aren’t sufficient to routinely produce outcomes for your users, customers, and stakeholders. My goal is to help you design more useful, usable, and delightful data products by better understanding your users, customers, and business sponsor’s needs. After all, you can’t produce business value with data if the humans in the loop can’t or won’t use your solutions. Every 2 weeks, I release solo episodes and interviews with chief data officers, data product management leaders, and top UX design and research professionals working at the intersection of ML/AI, analytics, design and product—and now, I’m inviting you to join the #ExperiencingData listenership. Transcripts, 1-page summaries and quotes available at: https://designingforanalytics.com/ed ABOUT THE HOST Brian T. O’Neill is the Founder and Principal of Designing for Analytics, an independent consultancy helping technology leaders turn their data into valuable data products. He is also the founder of The Data Product Leadership Community. For over 25 years, he has worked with companies including DellEMC, Tripadvisor, Fidelity, NetApp, Roche, Abbvie, and several SAAS startups. He has spoken internationally, giving talks at O’Reilly Strata, Enterprise Data World, the International Institute for Analytics Symposium, Predictive Analytics World, and Boston College. Brian also hosts the highly-rated podcast Experiencing Data, advises students in MIT’s Sandbox Innovation Fund and has been published by O’Reilly Media. He is also a professional percussionist who has backed up artists like The Who and Donna Summer, and he’s graced the stages of Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. Subscribe to Brian’s Insights mailing list at https://designingforanalytics.com/list.