When data meets everyday life – data-driven decision making

Data-driven decision making and its implementation is being discussed across various industries. Effective utilization of data helps identify trends, optimize processes, and anticipate changes. For example, in retail, customer data helps target marketing more precisely, and in manufacturing, analysing production data can reduce waste and improve resource allocation.

However, many organizations still struggle with what I call "data-less data-driven decision making", where technology is in place, but culture and practices haven’t caught up. Based on my experience, the biggest stumbling block to effective data-driven decision-making, regardless of industry, is deeply rooted old practices. If we want to leverage the current technological opportunities effectively, we must ensure the entire organization is committed to producing high-quality data and understands the impact it has on e.g. resource allocation, which in turn directly affects job satisfaction.

Data-driven decision making requires the right technology, but above all, a change in organizational culture. High-quality data must be produced, collected, understood, and utilized systematically at all organizational levels. When reported information is accessible to as many employees as possible and can be interpreted correctly, the organization can become more agile and innovative.

In addition to a technical solution, the implementation of data-driven decision making requires at least the following non-technical measures:

1. Engage the organization in the change – Break down development areas into easily achievable units at every organizational level.
2. Report results and goals in an easily readable format – For example, visualizations and short-term benefits.
3. Set clear goals for the short and long term – People at the center.
4. Dare to make changes to the strategy along the way.
5. Forget the buzzwords.

Tietoevry Care's technical solution for implementing data-driven decision making

At Tietoevry Care, we have developed the Lifecare Lakehouse Analytics solution, utilizing the Lifecare Data Platform, which consolidates fragmented social and healthcare data into one place and supports the Finnish wellbeing services counties* in data-driven decision making. Our solution allows centralized management of the care organizations’ data, and the same platform provides solutions for reporting and utilizing AI models. Data users have access to an open data catalogue, enabling data browsing, quality monitoring, and delivery to external parties.

This spring, the Finnish wellbeing services counties have been particularly interested in analysing and utilizing narrative data in data-driven decision making. With our method, the wellbeing services counties can examine, for example, whether all diagnoses mentioned in patient narratives are recorded in the patient information system. Missing diagnoses negatively impact not only the planning of patient procedures and care but also data-driven decision making in the counties, funding, and the quality of data required for information retrieval.

Concrete benefits of data-driven decision making

We offer a technical solution that, along with the implementation of corrective actions to data-driven decision making, can automate a significant portion of manual work within the Finnish wellbeing services counties. Automation and the use of AI solutions have a direct impact on data quality and, consequently, on the funding of the counties.

Additionally, it enables transparent decision making, which can reduce the workload of staff and increase the attractiveness of the field.

At the end, I want to emphasize that while this blog focuses on Finland’s wellbeing services counties, similar needs and opportunities for data-driven decision making are highly relevant in other Nordic countries, where care systems are also undergoing digital and structural transformation

*) Finland’s healthcare and social welfare system is founded on public healthcare and social welfare services supported by government funds. Starting on 1 January 2023, primary healthcare, social welfare, specialised healthcare, oral healthcare, mental health and substance abuse services, services for persons with disabilities and housing services for older persons are be organised by 21 wellbeing services counties and the City of Helsinki.