Developing a Data Roadmap and Vision

Many invest heavily in BI tools, new platforms, and training, yet still face the same problems: manual reporting that eats up hours, siloed teams, and a lack of trust in the numbers being shared. 

That’s why, at Staria, we’re passionate about The Journey to Data-Driven Performance Management. It’s a staged data roadmap that helps organisations move from simply collecting data to embedding it into every decision. Each stage builds on the last: setting vision, selecting the right technology, improving reporting, creating a data-driven culture, and ultimately achieving full performance management. 

Stage 1 of the journey is about closing the gap by setting a clear vision for how data will create value and building a data roadmap to make it happen. Without this foundation, even the best tools will fail to deliver. 

In this blog, we’ll cover: 

• Why vision comes before tools 

• The building blocks of creating a data roadmap and vision 

• How PSV, Europe’s leading vehicle glass distributor and installer, approached this stage and the lessons from their story 

• Practical steps to start building and nurturing your own data roadmap 

Why a data roadmap and vision matters 

Being data-driven isn’t about filling offices with dashboards or piecing reports together; it’s about clarity. A data-driven organisation has a shared view of success and a culture that uses facts to guide its choices. 

But most companies aren’t there yet. Research from 2025 found that only 37.8% of Fortune 1000 businesses have become truly data-driven, even though 98.8% have invested in data projects. This gap between spending and outcomes shows a clear truth: investment without vision does not guarantee results. 

The upside for those who succeed is clear. Data-driven companies are 23 times more likely to win new customers, 19 times more likely to stay profitable, and nearly seven times more likely to hold on to customers. 

Vision is what connects investment in data to company-wide performance management. Without it, BI projects often end up broken - as one-off fixes that fail to take hold. With it, teams know what they are working towards, and adoption becomes far easier. 

A vision also protects businesses from short-term fixes. Too often, a new tool is bought because one department needs faster reporting or better visibility. The tool solves a local problem but doesn’t connect to the wider strategy. Over time, this creates a patchwork of systems, each working in isolation. Vision avoids this by creating alignment before investments are made. 

Stage 1: The building blocks of creating a data roadmap and vision 

Stage 1 lays the foundation for the entire journey. There are five key building blocks that make this stage successful. 

1. Define organisational goals, requirements, and capabilities 

Every good plan starts with a question: what are we trying to achieve? Many organisations skip this step and jump straight into tool selection. 

The goals have to be specific. Some may aim to improve forecasting accuracy. Others might want to cut the time finance spends on month-end reporting. For another, the priority could be customer retention. Once goals are clear, the data strategy can be shaped to support them. 

A common pitfall is setting goals that are too broad or too narrow. Saying ‘we want to improve reporting’ is vague. A stronger goal is: ‘We want to reduce the time spent on monthly reporting by 50% within 12 months.’ Clear, measurable goals make it easier to track progress and secure stakeholder support. 

And here’s a simple truth: if something is important enough to be reported on, it has to be captured properly from the start. This is the essence of record-to-report. Without reliable inputs, the outputs will always be weak. 

2. Develop a business-wide data roadmap and vision aligned with strategy 

A data vision is not a technical blueprint. It’s an ambition that says, ‘This is how we want to use data to make the business stronger.’ It must link directly to the wider business strategy, so every department sees its value. 

This vision is usually sparked by the C-suite, often driven by demands for sharper forecasting and performance insight. The CFO typically leads, but the CEO and other leaders such as Sales, Operations, and HR all need to be involved. If the vision stays only in finance, it won’t translate into the cultural and behavioural shifts required across the business. 

How the vision is communicated also matters. Spreadsheets alone don’t inspire change. Research in 2025 showed that good data storytelling can improve business performance by 20%. This proves that clarity and communication are as important as the data itself. 

An example might be: ‘Our vision is to shift from static monthly reporting to live insights that let us make decisions faster and with more confidence.’ Short, clear, and motivating.  

3. Identify key stakeholders early 

No vision succeeds without the right people behind it. Stakeholder alignment has to happen at the start. The CFO may champion the work, but the CEO’s sponsorship gives it weight. Other C-level leaders bring front-line insight that keeps the vision practical. 

Many organisations use a steering group to make sure the vision has shared ownership. This group drives accountability, prevents silos, and keeps the roadmap alive even when priorities shift. 

Stakeholder engagement isn’t a one-off exercise. Leaders need to stay involved throughout the process. Successful organisations build in regular checkpoints where progress is reviewed, and commitment is renewed. 

4. Understand the value of a centralised data platform 

 With vision and goals clear, the next step is to understand how they’ll be supported. A centralised data platform is often key. It provides a single source of truth, so teams don’t waste time debating which numbers are right.  

A data platform is the underlying system that gathers data from different sources, stores it in one place, and makes it accessible for reporting and analysis.

The benefits go beyond accuracy. Centralised data speeds up reporting, reduces duplication, and supports collaboration. Finance, sales, and operations can work from the same numbers, while leadership gains real-time visibility across the business. A well-structured platform also supports governance, ensures compliance, and makes it easier to scale advanced capabilities like predictive analytics or AI. 

A centralised platform also makes it easier to scale. As the business grows, data volumes increase. Without a central structure, silos multiply and complexity rises. A single platform ensures growth doesn’t come at the cost of visibility. Read more about how modern data platforms drive business performance.

For renowned glass manufacturer, PSV, this was recognised early. They moved away from fragmented reporting and set a vision for real-time oversight. That decision created the foundation for the improvements that followed. 

This is exactly what Staria’s BI and Planning platform, Naviloq, is designed to deliver. Naviloq serves as the central platform where data from across the business is collected, structured, and prepared before being visualised. 

By bringing all critical data into one place, Naviloq enables consistent, trusted reporting and faster decision-making across the organisation. It also integrates seamlessly with systems like NetSuite, giving teams the visibility they need without adding complexity. 

5. Create a tailored roadmap for BI adoption 

Vision without action doesn’t last. The data roadmap is where ambition becomes steps. The first job is to take an honest look at the current state: what data exists, how it’s used, and where the gaps are. 

The data roadmap has to be realistic, flexible, and properly resourced. It must match the organisation’s capabilities and allow for growth. Importantly, BI adoption isn’t a one-off project. It’s something you nurture and adjust as the business evolves. 

Leadership commitment sets the tone. When leaders show they’re invested, adoption becomes stronger and more sustainable. A roadmap without leadership support risks being shelved. With visible commitment from senior figures, it becomes a living plan that guides action. 

Case study: PSV’s vision as the starting point 

PSV, Europe’s leader in vehicle glass distribution and installation, is a strong example of Stage 1 in practice.  

The company struggled with manual reporting that took 12 hours each week. Operations were complex, with more than 150 fitters working across the UK and Ireland. Leadership lacked visibility and knew they risked slowing down as they scaled. 

The turning point came when PSV set a clear vision. They wanted real-time oversight of performance. They wanted to scale without inefficiency. And they wanted teams across the business to make faster, more confident decisions.  

This stage is often overlooked. Many businesses rush to the visualisation layer, focusing on dashboards and reports, without first making sure the underlying data is reliable. The result is attractive reports built on shaky foundations. 

With Staria’s support, they built a roadmap aligned with this vision. Stakeholders across finance, operations, and IT were involved from the start. A centralised platform was identified as critical to success. 

Only once this foundation was in place did they move forward with implementation. The later results - automated reporting, real-time oversight, and workforce optimisation - all flowed from the clarity they established in Stage 1. 

It’s not just about the reports. We need BI to visualise the data and spell out what we need to know in an easy-to-understand way. That’s what allows us to operate so efficiently.

Their story shows that transformation doesn’t start with software. It starts with clarity of direction and a shared vision. 

Practical next steps for businesses 

Stage 1 doesn’t demand large technology investments. It demands alignment. Now is the time to ask: do we have a shared vision for how data will drive value in our business? 

If not, here’s how you can start: 

• Run a leadership workshop to align on goals. Make sure every voice is heard. 
  Audit reporting processes and data sources. Understand where data comes from, how it’s used, and where gaps exist.

• Set priorities. Choose three to five clear goals for the next 12–18 months. Keep them specific and measurable.

• Draft your roadmap. Align vision, goals, and resources in a plan that can adapt over time.

• Set milestones and review them regularly. Too often, organisations create a roadmap but don’t measure whether it’s working. This keeps momentum and builds confidence as teams see progress. 

Stage 1 is not about buying new technology. It’s about clarity, alignment, and creating a direction that makes future investments worthwhile.

Conclusion: Laying the foundation for data-driven growth 

Stage 1 of the journey is about vision before tools. Clarity has to come before complexity. A shared vision aligns goals, stakeholders, and reporting needs, creating a foundation for transformation. 

This prepares the way for Stage 2: Selecting technology flexible enough to support the vision. 

At Staria, we help businesses turn vision into roadmaps that deliver success. 
Data without vision is noise. With a roadmap, it becomes the foundation for transformation.