Your Role in the Data Ecosystem

Every professional in a modern organization plays a role in the data ecosystem. Understanding your role helps you contribute more effectively and get more value from data.

The Three Data Roles

Most professionals fall into one or more of these categories:

1. Data Consumer

You are a Data Consumer if you:

• Read reports and dashboards created by others
• Make decisions based on data presented to you
• Use insights to guide your daily work

Consumer responsibilities:

• Understand what you're looking at
• Ask clarifying questions
• Recognize when data seems wrong or incomplete
• Use insights appropriately (not misinterpret them)

Example: A sales manager reviews the weekly pipeline dashboard to prioritize which deals to focus on.

2. Data Contributor

You are a Data Contributor if you:

• Enter data into systems (CRM, project tools, spreadsheets)
• Collect information from customers or processes
• Update records and maintain data quality

Contributor responsibilities:

• Enter data accurately and completely
• Follow data entry standards
• Report data quality issues when you spot them
• Understand how your data feeds into larger analyses

Example: A customer service rep logs call outcomes in the CRM, which feeds into customer satisfaction reports.

3. Data Communicator

You are a Data Communicator if you:

• Present findings to stakeholders
• Translate data insights for non-technical audiences
• Create reports or summaries for decision-makers

Communicator responsibilities:

• Present data honestly (no cherry-picking)
• Provide appropriate context
• Acknowledge limitations and uncertainties
• Tailor complexity to your audience

Example: A marketing analyst presents campaign performance to the executive team, translating metrics into business impact.

Which Role Are You?

Most people play multiple roles:

Your Activity	Role
Checking your team's dashboard	Consumer
Logging project hours	Contributor
Presenting quarterly results	Communicator
Updating customer records	Contributor
Reading industry benchmark reports	Consumer
Creating a summary for your boss	Communicator

The Responsibility Matrix

Role	Primary Duty	Key Skill
Consumer	Interpret correctly	Critical thinking
Contributor	Enter accurately	Attention to detail
Communicator	Present honestly	Clear explanation

Why Your Role Matters

Bad data in, bad decisions out. The data ecosystem is only as strong as its weakest link.

• If Contributors enter inaccurate data → Consumers make wrong decisions
• If Consumers don't question data → Problems go undetected
• If Communicators oversimplify → Nuance is lost

Key Insight: Even if you're "just" a data consumer, you have power. Your questions and feedback improve the entire system.

Quick Assessment

Ask yourself:

1. How often do I enter data into company systems? (Daily/Weekly/Rarely)
2. How often do I read dashboards or reports? (Daily/Weekly/Rarely)
3. How often do I present data to others? (Daily/Weekly/Rarely)

Your most frequent activities indicate your primary role—and where you should focus your data literacy development.

Next: Learn the six dimensions of data quality that help you spot problems before they lead to bad decisions. :::