Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
Technology & Operations
Strategy / MBA Resources
Case Study SWOT Analysis Solution
Case Study Description of Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad
With the explosion of the digital universe, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how organizational decision making (i.e., the business-oriented perspective) is intertwined with an understanding of enterprise data assets (i.e., the data-oriented perspective). This article first compares the business- and data-oriented perspectives to describe how the two views mesh with each other. It then presents three elements in the data-oriented perspective that are collectively referred to as the data triad: (1) use, (2) design and storage, and (3) processes and people. In describing the data triad, this article highlights practices, architectural techniques, and example tools that are used to manage, access, analyze, and deliver data. By presenting different elements of the data-oriented perspective, this article broadly and concretely describes the data triad and how it can play a role in the redefined scope of work for data-driven business managers.
Swot Analysis of "Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad" written by Vijay Khatri includes – strengths weakness that are internal strategic factors of the organization, and opportunities and threats that Triad Data facing as an external strategic factors. Some of the topics covered in Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad case study are - Strategic Management Strategies, Decision making, IT and Technology & Operations.
Some of the macro environment factors that can be used to understand the Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad casestudy better are - – increasing household debt because of falling income levels, digital marketing is dominated by two big players Facebook and Google, wage bills are increasing, cloud computing is disrupting traditional business models, supply chains are disrupted by pandemic , banking and financial system is disrupted by Bitcoin and other crypto currencies, talent flight as more people leaving formal jobs,
geopolitical disruptions, increasing transportation and logistics costs, etc
Introduction to SWOT Analysis of Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad
SWOT stands for an organization’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats . At Oak Spring University , we believe that protagonist in Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad case study can use SWOT analysis as a strategic management tool to assess the current internal strengths and weaknesses of the Triad Data, and to figure out the opportunities and threats in the macro environment – technological, environmental, political, economic, social, demographic, etc in which Triad Data operates in.
According to Harvard Business Review, 75% of the managers use SWOT analysis for various purposes such as – evaluating current scenario, strategic planning, new venture feasibility, personal growth goals, new market entry, Go To market strategies, portfolio management and strategic trade-off assessment, organizational restructuring, etc.
SWOT Objectives / Importance of SWOT Analysis and SWOT Matrix
SWOT analysis of Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad can be done for the following purposes –
1. Strategic planning using facts provided in Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad case study
2. Improving business portfolio management of Triad Data
3. Assessing feasibility of the new initiative in Technology & Operations field.
4. Making a Technology & Operations topic specific business decision
5. Set goals for the organization
6. Organizational restructuring of Triad Data
Strengths Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Strengths in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The strengths of Triad Data in Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad Harvard Business Review case study are -
Cross disciplinary teams
– Horizontal connected teams at the Triad Data are driving operational speed, building greater agility, and keeping the organization nimble to compete with new competitors. It helps are organization to ideate new ideas, and execute them swiftly in the marketplace.
Low bargaining power of suppliers
– Suppliers of Triad Data in the sector have low bargaining power. Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad has further diversified its suppliers portfolio by building a robust supply chain across various countries. This helps Triad Data to manage not only supply disruptions but also source products at highly competitive prices.
Ability to lead change in Technology & Operations field
– Triad Data is one of the leading players in its industry. Over the years it has not only transformed the business landscape in its segment but also across the whole industry. The ability to lead change has enabled Triad Data in – penetrating new markets, reaching out to new customers, and providing different value propositions to different customers in the international markets.
Analytics focus
– Triad Data is putting a lot of focus on utilizing the power of analytics in business decision making. This has put it among the leading players in the industry. The technology infrastructure suggested by Vijay Khatri can also help it to harness the power of analytics for – marketing optimization, demand forecasting, customer relationship management, inventory management, information sharing across the value chain etc.
Effective Research and Development (R&D)
– Triad Data has innovation driven culture where significant part of the revenues are spent on the research and development activities. This has resulted in, as mentioned in case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad - staying ahead in the industry in terms of – new product launches, superior customer experience, highly competitive pricing strategies, and great returns to the shareholders.
Sustainable margins compare to other players in Technology & Operations industry
– Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad firm has clearly differentiated products in the market place. This has enabled Triad Data to fetch slight price premium compare to the competitors in the Technology & Operations industry. The sustainable margins have also helped Triad Data to invest into research and development (R&D) and innovation.
Diverse revenue streams
– Triad Data is present in almost all the verticals within the industry. This has provided firm in Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad case study a diverse revenue stream that has helped it to survive disruptions such as global pandemic in Covid-19, financial disruption of 2008, and supply chain disruption of 2021.
Learning organization
- Triad Data is a learning organization. It has inculcated three key characters of learning organization in its processes and operations – exploration, creativity, and expansiveness. The work place at Triad Data is open place that encourages instructiveness, ideation, open minded discussions, and creativity. Employees and leaders in Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad Harvard Business Review case study emphasize – knowledge, initiative, and innovation.
Highly skilled collaborators
– Triad Data has highly efficient outsourcing and offshoring strategy. It has resulted in greater operational flexibility and bringing down the costs in highly price sensitive segment. Secondly the value chain collaborators of the firm in Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad HBR case study have helped the firm to develop new products and bring them quickly to the marketplace.
Operational resilience
– The operational resilience strategy in the Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad Harvard Business Review case study comprises – understanding the underlying the factors in the industry, building diversified operations across different geographies so that disruption in one part of the world doesn’t impact the overall performance of the firm, and integrating the various business operations and processes through its digital transformation drive.
Superior customer experience
– The customer experience strategy of Triad Data in the segment is based on four key concepts – personalization, simplification of complex needs, prompt response, and continuous engagement.
Innovation driven organization
– Triad Data is one of the most innovative firm in sector. Manager in Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad Harvard Business Review case study can use Clayton Christensen Disruptive Innovation strategies to further increase the scale of innovtions in the organization.
Weaknesses Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad | Internal Strategic Factors
What are Weaknesses in SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The weaknesses of Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad are -
Employees’ incomplete understanding of strategy
– From the instances in the HBR case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad, it seems that the employees of Triad Data don’t have comprehensive understanding of the firm’s strategy. This is reflected in number of promotional campaigns over the last few years that had mixed messaging and competing priorities. Some of the strategic activities and services promoted in the promotional campaigns were not consistent with the organization’s strategy.
Aligning sales with marketing
– It come across in the case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad that the firm needs to have more collaboration between its sales team and marketing team. Sales professionals in the industry have deep experience in developing customer relationships. Marketing department in the case Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad can leverage the sales team experience to cultivate customer relationships as Triad Data is planning to shift buying processes online.
Slow to strategic competitive environment developments
– As Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad HBR case study mentions - Triad Data takes time to assess the upcoming competitions. This has led to missing out on atleast 2-3 big opportunities in the industry in last five years.
Need for greater diversity
– Triad Data has taken concrete steps on diversity, equity, and inclusion. But the efforts so far has resulted in limited success. It needs to expand the recruitment and selection process to hire more people from the minorities and underprivileged background.
Ability to respond to the competition
– As the decision making is very deliberative, highlighted in the case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad, in the dynamic environment Triad Data has struggled to respond to the nimble upstart competition. Triad Data has reasonably good record with similar level competitors but it has struggled with new entrants taking away niches of its business.
High bargaining power of channel partners
– Because of the regulatory requirements, Vijay Khatri suggests that, Triad Data is facing high bargaining power of the channel partners. So far it has not able to streamline the operations to reduce the bargaining power of the value chain partners in the industry.
Slow to harness new channels of communication
– Even though competitors are using new communication channels such as Instagram, Tiktok, and Snap, Triad Data is slow explore the new channels of communication. These new channels of communication mentioned in marketing section of case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad can help to provide better information regarding products and services. It can also build an online community to further reach out to potential customers.
Slow decision making process
– As mentioned earlier in the report, Triad Data has a very deliberative decision making approach. This approach has resulted in prudent decisions, but it has also resulted in missing opportunities in the industry over the last five years. Triad Data even though has strong showing on digital transformation primary two stages, it has struggled to capitalize the power of digital transformation in marketing efforts and new venture efforts.
Increasing silos among functional specialists
– The organizational structure of Triad Data is dominated by functional specialists. It is not different from other players in the Technology & Operations segment. Triad Data needs to de-silo the office environment to harness the true potential of its workforce. Secondly the de-silo will also help Triad Data to focus more on services rather than just following the product oriented approach.
Lack of clear differentiation of Triad Data products
– To increase the profitability and margins on the products, Triad Data needs to provide more differentiated products than what it is currently offering in the marketplace.
Workers concerns about automation
– As automation is fast increasing in the segment, Triad Data needs to come up with a strategy to reduce the workers concern regarding automation. Without a clear strategy, it could lead to disruption and uncertainty within the organization.
Opportunities Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad | External Strategic Factors
What are Opportunities in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The opportunities highlighted in the Harvard Business Review case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad are -
Redefining models of collaboration and team work
– As explained in the weaknesses section, Triad Data is facing challenges because of the dominance of functional experts in the organization. Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad case study suggests that firm can utilize new technology to build more coordinated teams and streamline operations and communications using tools such as CAD, Zoom, etc.
Leveraging digital technologies
– Triad Data can leverage digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate the production process, customer analytics to get better insights into consumer behavior, realtime digital dashboards to get better sales tracking, logistics and transportation, product tracking, etc.
Lowering marketing communication costs
– 5G expansion will open new opportunities for Triad Data in the field of marketing communication. It will bring down the cost of doing business, provide technology platform to build new products in the Technology & Operations segment, and it will provide faster access to the consumers.
Using analytics as competitive advantage
– Triad Data has spent a significant amount of money and effort to integrate analytics and machine learning into its operations in the sector. This continuous investment in analytics has enabled, as illustrated in the Harvard case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad - to build a competitive advantage using analytics. The analytics driven competitive advantage can help Triad Data to build faster Go To Market strategies, better consumer insights, developing relevant product features, and building a highly efficient supply chain.
Increase in government spending
– As the United States and other governments are increasing social spending and infrastructure spending to build economies post Covid-19, Triad Data can use these opportunities to build new business models that can help the communities that Triad Data operates in. Secondly it can use opportunities from government spending in Technology & Operations sector.
Remote work and new talent hiring opportunities
– The widespread usage of remote working technologies during Covid-19 has opened opportunities for Triad Data to expand its talent hiring zone. According to McKinsey Global Institute, 20% of the high end workforce in fields such as finance, information technology, can continously work from remote local post Covid-19. This presents a really great opportunity for Triad Data to hire the very best people irrespective of their geographical location.
Changes in consumer behavior post Covid-19
– Consumer behavior has changed in the Technology & Operations industry because of Covid-19 restrictions. Some of this behavior will stay once things get back to normal. Triad Data can take advantage of these changes in consumer behavior to build a far more efficient business model. For example consumer regular ordering of products can reduce both last mile delivery costs and market penetration costs. Triad Data can further use this consumer data to build better customer loyalty, provide better products and service collection, and improve the value proposition in inflationary times.
Low interest rates
– Even though inflation is raising its head in most developed economies, Triad Data can still utilize the low interest rates to borrow money for capital investment. Secondly it can also use the increase of government spending in infrastructure projects to get new business.
Loyalty marketing
– Triad Data has focused on building a highly responsive customer relationship management platform. This platform is built on in-house data and driven by analytics and artificial intelligence. The customer analytics can help the organization to fine tune its loyalty marketing efforts, increase the wallet share of the organization, reduce wastage on mainstream advertising spending, build better pricing strategies using personalization, etc.
Developing new processes and practices
– Triad Data can develop new processes and procedures in Technology & Operations industry using technology such as automation using artificial intelligence, real time transportation and products tracking, 3D modeling for concept development and new products pilot testing etc.
Identify volunteer opportunities
– Covid-19 has impacted working population in two ways – it has led to people soul searching about their professional choices, resulting in mass resignation. Secondly it has encouraged people to do things that they are passionate about. This has opened opportunities for businesses to build volunteer oriented socially driven projects. Triad Data can explore opportunities that can attract volunteers and are consistent with its mission and vision.
Reforming the budgeting process
- By establishing new metrics that will be used to evaluate both existing and potential projects Triad Data can not only reduce the costs of the project but also help it in integrating the projects with other processes within the organization.
Manufacturing automation
– Triad Data can use the latest technology developments to improve its manufacturing and designing process in Technology & Operations segment. It can use CAD and 3D printing to build a quick prototype and pilot testing products. It can leverage automation using machine learning and artificial intelligence to do faster production at lowers costs, and it can leverage the growth in satellite and tracking technologies to improve inventory management, transportation, and shipping.
Threats Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad External Strategic Factors
What are Threats in the SWOT Analysis / TOWS Matrix / Weighted SWOT Analysis
The threats mentioned in the HBR case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad are -
Environmental challenges
– Triad Data needs to have a robust strategy against the disruptions arising from climate change and energy requirements. EU has identified it as key priority area and spending 30% of its 880 billion Euros European post Covid-19 recovery funds on green technology. Triad Data can take advantage of this fund but it will also bring new competitors in the Technology & Operations industry.
Learning curve for new practices
– As the technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning platform is getting complex, as highlighted in case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad, Triad Data may face longer learning curve for training and development of existing employees. This can open space for more nimble competitors in the field of Technology & Operations .
Capital market disruption
– During the Covid-19, Dow Jones has touched record high. The valuations of a number of companies are way beyond their existing business model potential. This can lead to capital market correction which can put a number of suppliers, collaborators, value chain partners in great financial difficulty. It will directly impact the business of Triad Data.
High dependence on third party suppliers
– Triad Data high dependence on third party suppliers can disrupt its processes and delivery mechanism. For example -the current troubles of car makers because of chip shortage is because the chip companies started producing chips for electronic companies rather than car manufacturers.
High level of anxiety and lack of motivation
– the Great Resignation in United States is the sign of broader dissatisfaction among the workforce in United States. Triad Data needs to understand the core reasons impacting the Technology & Operations industry. This will help it in building a better workplace.
Trade war between China and United States
– The trade war between two of the biggest economies can hugely impact the opportunities for Triad Data in the Technology & Operations industry. The Technology & Operations industry is already at various protected from local competition in China, with the rise of trade war the protection levels may go up. This presents a clear threat of current business model in Chinese market.
Regulatory challenges
– Triad Data needs to prepare for regulatory challenges as consumer protection groups and other pressure groups are vigorously advocating for more regulations on big business - to reduce inequality, to create a level playing field, to product data privacy and consumer privacy, to reduce the influence of big money on democratic institutions, etc. This can lead to significant changes in the Technology & Operations industry regulations.
Increasing international competition and downward pressure on margins
– Apart from technology driven competitive advantage dilution, Triad Data can face downward pressure on margins from increasing competition from international players. The international players have stable revenue in their home market and can use those resources to penetrate prominent markets illustrated in HBR case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad .
Easy access to finance
– Easy access to finance in Technology & Operations field will also reduce the barriers to entry in the industry, thus putting downward pressure on the prices because of increasing competition. Triad Data can utilize it by borrowing at lower rates and invest it into research and development, capital expenditure to fortify its core competitive advantage.
Shortening product life cycle
– it is one of the major threat that Triad Data is facing in Technology & Operations sector. It can lead to higher research and development costs, higher marketing expenses, lower customer loyalty, etc.
Consumer confidence and its impact on Triad Data demand
– There is a high probability of declining consumer confidence, given – high inflammation rate, rise of gig economy, lower job stability, increasing cost of living, higher interest rates, and aging demography. All the factors contribute to people saving higher rate of their income, resulting in lower consumer demand in the industry and other sectors.
Barriers of entry lowering
– As technology is more democratized, the barriers to entry in the industry are lowering. It can presents Triad Data with greater competitive threats in the near to medium future. Secondly it will also put downward pressure on pricing throughout the sector.
Aging population
– As the populations of most advanced economies are aging, it will lead to high social security costs, higher savings among population, and lower demand for goods and services in the economy. The household savings in US, France, UK, Germany, and Japan are growing faster than predicted because of uncertainty caused by pandemic.
Weighted SWOT Analysis of Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad Template, Example
Not all factors mentioned under the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants in the SWOT Analysis are equal. Managers in the HBR case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad needs to zero down on the relative importance of each factor mentioned in the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats quadrants.
We can provide the relative importance to each factor by assigning relative weights. Weighted SWOT analysis process is a three stage process –
First stage for doing weighted SWOT analysis of the case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad is to rank the strengths and weaknesses of the organization. This will help you to assess the most important strengths and weaknesses of the firm and which one of the strengths and weaknesses mentioned in the initial lists are marginal and can be left out.
Second stage for conducting weighted SWOT analysis of the Harvard case study Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad is to give probabilities to the external strategic factors thus better understanding the opportunities and threats arising out of macro environment changes and developments.
Third stage of constructing weighted SWOT analysis of Managerial Work in the Realm of the Digital Universe: The Role of the Data Triad is to provide strategic recommendations includes – joining likelihood of external strategic factors such as opportunities and threats to the internal strategic factors – strengths and weaknesses. You should start with external factors as they will provide the direction of the overall industry. Secondly by joining probabilities with internal strategic factors can help the company not only strategic fit but also the most probably strategic trade-off that Triad Data needs to make to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
