As we continue our series on the key lessons we've learned over the past decade, our Director of Informatics, Jim Stalker, shares what he considers the most important insight so far.
“Don’t assume where the problem lies, but instead use data to identify the real issues.”
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned in my career is the power of data-driven decision-making.
Every organisation, whether it is a start-up, or a large company depends on making the best decisions possible- from big strategic moves all the way to the hundreds of everyday choices. Unfortunately, decision making is hard. Making good decisions is even harder. This is where me and my team come in. Informatics revolves around data; capturing it, storing it, analysing it and leveraging it to achieve our goals. At UK Biocentre, our data is one of our most valuable assets. By gaining insight into data, we can make informed choices. How are we performing? What do we need to prioritise? What are the next steps?
There's an old rule in programming – “Don’t guess where the bottleneck is. Measure it.”
In decision making, this means using data to pinpoint areas that need extra attention, or using data to determine the best way forward as opposed to using intuition.
Basing your decisions on data helps provide transparency and accountability. Decisions backed by data are easier to justify and communicate – and lead to greater trust and collaboration across the organisation as a whole. Of course, decisions still require judgement and experience, but making full use of all available information ensures they are grounded in reality and more likely to lead to positive outcomes.
In science, or any complex endeavour for that matter, no single individual holds all the keys to success. The past decade has shown me that collaboration is not just beneficial, it’s essential. The intricate nature of the work we do at UK Biocentre demands input from a broad range of skills and expertise, making teamwork a critical component of any successful project.
A key lesson I have learnt is that the best outcomes arise from the synergy of cross-functional teams. Everyone from Lab Scientists, IT Professionals, Data Analysts, Domain Experts to end-users, bring unique perspectives that combine to produce innovative solutions. Collaboration ensures that every angle is considered, every bias is corrected and contribute to a more well-rounded, effective result.
In programming, there is an idea of “anti-patterns”. This means learning how to do things well by studying examples of how not to do it. tasking programmers to develop a lab management system without talking to the lab scientists would be an anti-pattern, as would giving the lab scientists the task of managing data storage and integrity. We need to rely on our combined strengths to innovate and achieve success.
As UK Biocentre celebrates 10 years and looks forward to the future, it is crucial for us to continue investing in understanding our data and driving a culture that prioritises facts over guesswork. Embracing this approach not only makes us better at what we do but also positions us for continues success in an ever-changing world. Also, the value of collaboration cannot be overstated. It breaks down silos, encourages knowledge sharing, and leads to solutions that are well-rounded and practical. In this ever evolving filed, embracing collaboration will remain a cornerstone of our success