Finansforbundet strengthens its data maturity with a centralized data platform

Finansforbundet aspired to optimize internal processes and strengthen its ability to use data strategically. Before working with Context&, data management was silo-based and dependent on a single BI resource. Reporting and data analysis were characterized by manual processes, often based on Excel, which created inefficiencies and limited the ability to scale.

"At Finansforbundet, we have had data stored in the areas in either Excel or isolated systems and databases. This disconnected data behavior has made it difficult for us to see data across systems. Data across systems that turns out to be able to create valuable insights for decision-makers in the organization when you see the bigger picture," says Mikkel Lilbæk, Analyst and Product Owner at Finansforbundet.

Finansforbundet had previously tried an on-premise Data Warehouse, which they had not succeeded with. Finansforbundet needed a future-proof solution that could support their business-critical processes and increase data maturity across the organization. At the same time, it was important that the chosen solution should be easy to work with and expand as new needs arise and requirements change.

In close collaboration with Finansforbundet, Context& designed and implemented a centralized data platform based on Microsoft Azure Synapse. The platform enables the collection, cleansing and transformation of data from multiple sources, which has created a solid base for automated reporting and advanced analytics.

"We brought Context& in to help with the old solution. It quickly became clear to us that the solution we were sitting with was outdated and locked in terms of scaling. In collaboration with Context&, we outlined a roadmap for developing a new data platform and the future collaboration with Context&'s Data & Insights department. A collaboration that we have been very happy with," says Mikkel Lilbæk.

The collaboration includes the following solutions, among others:

Member reporting

Finansforbundet has a Power BI solution that provides access to up-to-date data on membership numbers, segmentation and development over time. Using these Power BI reports, management now has quick access to clear key figures, while more detailed reports support the needs of specific departments.

Course administration

Finansforbundet has a strong focus on their course and event offering. They want to have a relevant offering of both for their members. By integrating data from course registrations and evaluations, Finansforbundet has created a comprehensive overview of course activity and participation patterns. A Power BI report provides insight into everything from enrollment rates to course evaluations, making it easy to customize course offerings and marketing efforts within each target group.

Standardization of survey data

Finansforbundet now has an automated solution that efficiently handles survey data and ensures consistency in their data processing. This means less manual handling, faster process flow and a more scalable solution.

To achieve this, Context& has developed a Power App that automates the processing of survey data. The Power App is integrated with Dataverse, ensuring consistency and making it easy to extend data management. The solution removes the challenge of unstructured data and enables quick integration of new questionnaires without the need for manual adjustments.

Segmentation

Finansforbundet has built a robust segmentation model based on data in Microsoft Azure Synapse. The model uses advanced data transformations to define target groups that are used for targeted communication and analysis. The segmentation supports, for example, marketing campaigns and analysis of training needs in different member groups.

Data governance and security

As a member organization, Finansforbundet has a strong focus on security and governance when it comes to data. Rights management and monitoring have therefore been a major focus during the development of the data platform to ensure that only relevant employees and members have access to the right data. This focus will increase further as the platform expands and data reaches more and more end users. Mikkel Lilbæk says about this:

"Data governance was a new concept for Finansforbundet just over three years ago when we started working with Context&. Today, we work exclusively with managing rights based on security groups in AzureAD. Data definitions are added to our data dictionary, and we are working on delegating ownership of business-critical data to the areas where domain knowledge resides."

The establishment of the new data platform has strengthened Finansforbundet's ability to work strategically with data across the organization. With the data platform, business logic has been centralized so that it no longer lives in the source systems or with the individual employee. This centralization has enabled Finansforbundet to achieve significant efficiency gains through automation of previously manual processes. At the same time, data quality has improved and the access and use of data has become more streamlined and accessible.

"The new data platform has been a total game changer for us. We have delivered a solid technical foundation that today enables us to meet business needs in terms of insights across data domains. We have become much smarter about our members' behavior and can more easily create products that create value in the organization," says Mikkel Lilbæk.

The flexibility of the data platform also enables rapid integration of new data sources and the development of additional use cases. This transformation positions Finansforbundet as a data-driven union that can respond quickly to members' needs and support their political objectives with valid and up-to-date data.