US beats China and Germany in BCG’s 2021 data maturity index
The latest Data Capability Maturity Assessment (DACAMA) survey conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), shows the United States, China, then Germany leading the way.
According to the survey, the third of its kind from BCG, some companies are pulling away from the competition but equally, some are setting themselves unrealistic goals.
More than 1,100 companies were asked to rate their current maturity level and where they hope to be in three years time. The companies were selected across nine industry clusters and assessed themselves on seven core data capabilities encompassing 40 competencies. The companies were also interviewed.
The main finding is that progress is accelerating, with the overall index improving by 15% compared to 2018. The number of companies claiming state-of-the-art data capabilities more than quadrupled.
The US retained its position as the top-performing country, followed by China, and then Germany – while Singapore made the biggest improvement, gaining 22% in the maturity index.
The top 10 countries for average data maturity in 2021 are:
- United States
- China
- Germany
- Singapore
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- France
- Northern Europe
- Japan
- Australia
Data maturity remains top of the leadership agenda for companies worldwide, according to the survey, with companies using data to generate insights faster and at scale. These leading adopters use these insights to make smarter decisions, rethink processes, and modify their products and services.
The top-performing industries in 2021 were the same 2018, with technology, telecom, financial institutions, and consumer leading the way.
The industries with the biggest gains include energy and the public sector.
BCG suggests these factors are critical to data maturity success:
- Focus on business outcomes. Data capabilities are a means to an end, rather than a goal. Their real value lies in generating insights that lead to smarter business decisions and improvements in business and financial performance.
- Apply a broad-based approach. Rather than overemphasising a particular data capability, the best companies invest in all seven core capabilities of the pyramid.
- Build incrementally over time. Rather than aiming for a “big bang,” companies should build data capabilities in a deliberate, incremental manner over time.
In conclusion, BCG says its DACAMA research has consistently shown that companies that develop the right data capabilities give themselves a significant advantage.
