How can you build trust with a team that relies on external data sources?

As a program manager, you often have to work with teams that depend on external data sources, such as APIs, databases, or web services. These data sources may be owned by other organizations, have different formats and standards, or be subject to changes and errors. How can you build trust with your team and ensure that they can use the data effectively and confidently?

1 Understand the data sources

The first step to building trust with your team is to understand the data sources they rely on. You should know the purpose, scope, and limitations of each data source, as well as the access methods, security protocols, and documentation available. You should also be aware of the potential risks and challenges that may arise from using the data, such as data quality, availability, reliability, and compatibility issues. By understanding the data sources, you can help your team plan, design, and implement their data-driven solutions.

Add your perspective

2 Communicate with the data owners

The second step to building trust with your team is to communicate with the data owners, who are the people or organizations that provide or manage the external data sources. You should establish a clear and respectful relationship with them, and seek their cooperation and support. You should also communicate your team's needs, expectations, and feedback regarding the data, and negotiate any agreements or contracts that may be required. By communicating with the data owners, you can ensure that your team has the access, quality, and consistency they need from the data.

Add your perspective

3 Educate and empower your team

The third step to building trust with your team is to educate and empower them to use the data effectively and confidently. You should provide your team with the necessary training, tools, and resources to understand, analyze, and interpret the data. You should also encourage your team to explore, experiment, and innovate with the data, and to share their insights and findings with you and other stakeholders. By educating and empowering your team, you can foster a culture of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration around the data.

Add your perspective

4 Monitor and evaluate the data usage

The fourth step to building trust with your team is to monitor and evaluate how they use the data and what results they achieve. You should track and measure the performance, quality, and impact of the data-driven solutions your team delivers, and identify any gaps, errors, or opportunities for improvement. You should also solicit and provide regular feedback, recognition, and support to your team, and celebrate their successes and learn from their failures. By monitoring and evaluating the data usage, you can demonstrate your team's value and credibility to yourself, your team, and your clients.

Add your perspective

5 Adapt and improve the data strategy

The fifth step to building trust with your team is to adapt and improve your data strategy based on the changing needs, expectations, and feedback of your team, your clients, and your data owners. You should review and update your data sources, methods, standards, and policies as needed, and ensure that they align with your program goals and objectives. You should also seek and implement new ways to enhance the data quality, availability, reliability, and compatibility, and to optimize the data-driven solutions your team delivers. By adapting and improving your data strategy, you can ensure that your team stays relevant and competitive in the data-driven world.

Add your perspective

6 Engage and collaborate with your stakeholders

The sixth step to building trust with your team is to engage and collaborate with your stakeholders, who are the people or organizations that have an interest or influence in your program and its data-driven solutions. You should communicate and share your data strategy, processes, and outcomes with them, and seek their input, feedback, and approval. You should also leverage their expertise, resources, and networks to enhance your data sources, methods, and solutions. By engaging and collaborating with your stakeholders, you can build trust and rapport with them, and create value and impact for them.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Abhishek Singh

Senior Program Manager at NTT DATA || IIM Indore Alumni || MBA(Gold Medallist) || M.Tech || PMP® || ITIL® 4 || SAFe® 6 Agilist || SAFe® 6 Scrum Master || CSM® || CSPO® || PSM-I || ICP-ACC || LSSBB
(edited)
Report contribution
1.Share information openly and candidly. Keep the team updated on what’s going on in the company and at the senior leadership level.Don’t withhold resources from employees or make decisions in secret. 2.Provide regular feedback. Be clear about the team vision.Share how employees are tracking toward their performance—both positively and constructively. 3.Encourage open communication. Create an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up and voicing their opinions—even if those opinions differ from leadership. 4.Follow through on commitments. To be reliable, leaders must ensure their actions line up with their words. 5.Demonstrate integrity and fairness. All team members should be able to rely on their leaders for fair treatment.

Like

How can you build trust with a team that relies on external data sources?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand the data sources

2 Communicate with the data owners

3 Educate and empower your team

4 Monitor and evaluate the data usage

5 Adapt and improve the data strategy

6 Engage and collaborate with your stakeholders

7 Here’s what else to consider

Program Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Program Management

More relevant reading

How can you build trust with a team that relies on external data sources?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand the data sources

2 Communicate with the data owners

3 Educate and empower your team

4 Monitor and evaluate the data usage

5 Adapt and improve the data strategy

6 Engage and collaborate with your stakeholders

7 Here’s what else to consider

Program Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills