b'Member News July 2023 17Solving societal challengesFive ways engineers can be digital transformation leaders By Dr Duncan R Shaw BEng MSc MBA Senior Fellow of the HEA/Advance HEWe all know that engineers have a unique mix of skills. Its often assumed that its the maths and technical skills that mean engineers are well positioned to help businesses become more data driven.Those skills help, of coursebut its much more than that. If businesses want to make the most of new data technologies to become more data-driven, then the real magic happens when engineers understandWith that in mind, here are five ways that engineers can take advantage of new data how things work - the systemstechnologies to help their careers:of people and machines, not just individual machines or software.1.Understand what data projects can be used forto specify, design and evaluate them. Data is a recording of anything that matters to a business as well as what Engineers builddoesnt. Data projects emerge from business strategy and then help to feed your things; and engineersbusiness model.are creative, critical2. Journey-based thinkinga method of deciding where and how to use data thinkers and problemtechnologies. Journey-based thinking mixes systems thinking and businessprocess modelling whilst business processes are fairly generic, the journeys that solvers. These are theindividual customers and machines progress along are all different. Thats why you need data to customise the journeys of each individual customer or machine, to capabilities that makeachieve their success.engineers most suitable 3. Forming and running the project steering boardstrategic oversight, not just for leading data-drivenproject management. Getting the right sponsor, keeping them happy, motivating transformations. the project team and selling results to the wider organisation all play a crucial role. Change management skills are as important as project management skills.Projects which develop digital4. Understanding data governance and data ethicsmanaging the new risks, not business models, innovate new datajust the new benefits. Data technologies add a whole new set of capabilities to services, make Internet of Thingsyour business model and some of these are only starting to show their weaknesses products or build digital ecosystemsand dangers. AI bias or Large Language Models like ChatGPT give vague answers all need the right kind of leader. Theseand make things upyou need to understand how data technologies enable your leaders need to be able to specifycommercial objectives.the project, develop the business case and also evaluate the projects outcomes. This means understanding5.L eading a data-driven transformationin the wider organisation. It all startswhat data tech can do for yourwith one project. How can you be the person to lead change in the whole firm?business as well as where to use it.IET Academys new course, Data Science for Engineers, teaches you how to apply data-driven strategies to your organisation and your job; boosting your career by leading success. Find out more here: academy.theiet.org/introduction-to-data-science-for-engineers'