Individuals for hundreds of years have been using the phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” This same famous dictum holds true for how Human Resource and Information Technology organizations are being asked to deliver data today to their various stakeholders throughout an enterprise.

Nowadays, it is imperative to understand the outputs that are needed from both the business side and the leaders within HR ranks. Once we have the required information such as metrics, measures, and key performance indicators, we can then use the tools already at our disposal to “bring the data to life,” to drive new visibility and “actionability” within our organizations.

HR needs to accept the challenge of delivering information differently than in the past.  Other business functions are already doing so and leaving HR in the dust. Once again, the impression is created that HR is not strategic and “doesn’t get” what the business needs. That’s why now is the time to bring your data to life, energize and refresh leaders with a sense of action, and most of all, be able to demonstrate the impact of the action taken against the data.

OrgPlus is an amazing tool to assist you in meeting this challenge. As homework, use OrgPlus to create ONE new view of data that helps your HR leader see data in a new light. Show them their “spans of control.” Show them their “average tenure of workforce by division.” Show them their “high-risk employees and managers.” All leaders need this kind of wake-up call, and the only way that HR can truly provide it is by bringing data to life through visualization.

About the author: 

Jason Averbook is Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Knowledge Infusion, a strategic consulting organization that works collaboratively with clients to help them achieve true business results from HCM technologies. With more than 15 years of experience in the HR and technology industry, including senior management positions at PeopleSoft and Ceridian, Jason has worked with industry leading companies around the world to help them transform their HR organizations into strategic partners. Jason was honored this year by Human Capital Magazine as a recipient of its Future HR Leader Award and is a frequent speaker and contributor to industry publications and events worldwide.  You can reach Jason Averbook by email: jason.averbook@knowledge-infusion.com

For years, Human Resource leaders have been accustomed to seeing data in really only two different formats. One is a very flat view of transactional data such as headcount or employee turnover. Key related information—what the data means, where it is an issue, and what to do about it—exists only inside the heads of the leaders. The other view is a traditional organizational chart that helps with workforce hierarchy but doesn’t deliver a true picture, without the leader having to go back and ask more questions through various channels in HR and IT. Both of these have worked for HR over the past 10-15 years, but it is time for a change.