Envisaging Data Nirvana: A Delphi study of ideal data culture

In recent decades, the proliferation of data and advances in information technology have led organizations to value data more highly and aim to build a data culture that is suitable for promoting and sustaining data-related strategic outcomes. However, what a “good” data culture comprises is often expressed abstractly and there is no consensus about how such a culture should manifest in practice. This study explores the key dimensions and attributes of an ideal data culture, as perceived by expert practitioners in large, data-rich public sector organizations. Using a two-stage Delphi method, we engaged with 14 data management experts from Aotearoa New Zealand to understand their views on achieving “Data Nirvana” in practice, focusing on the attributes that explain an ideal data culture. Five categories of ideal data culture are identified: strategic agility, ethical use, human centricity, capability, and controls and discipline. These are linked through two unifying themes: trust and trustworthiness, and value integration. The resulting framework for data culture comprises seven elements. The study provides insights into the aspirational potential of data and the realities of organizational data practice, contributing to a deeper understanding of data culture.