Today, we are pleased to speak with Philippe Desjardins, Project Advisor, Data Management Solutions at CIMA+. With solid experience in data optimization, analysis and integration, Philippe plays a key role in developing innovative digital solutions that support decision-making and improve organizational performance. His expertise, combined with CIMA+'s collaborative approach, enables us to support clients in high value-added technology projects.
In this interview, discover his vision of the strategic role of data, his perspective on current issues in digital transformation, and the levers he identifies to help organizations make informed and effective decisions.
Can you tell us about your professional background and what led you to specialize in data management at CIMA+?
Since entering the job market, I have held positions that involve manipulating data and distilling information to provide answers to questions from my employers and clients. Data fascinates me because it aggregates to generate information that, when used wisely, provides the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions. As the Latin adage popularized by Sir Francis Bacon so aptly goes, ‘scientia potentia est,’ or ‘knowledge is power.’
Being able to pass on this knowledge—and this power—to our clients by supporting them in their decision-making is definitely my greatest motivator.
My training in computer engineering, coupled with a keen curiosity for data investigation, is undoubtedly what naturally led me to data management and advanced analytics at CIMA+.
In a few words, how would you describe CIMA+'s approach to data management solutions?
For several years, CIMA+ has been carrying out large-scale projects requiring in-depth knowledge of data flows, particularly in the design of specialized software solutions and the integration of operational and digital systems.
CIMA+ is also solidifying its expertise in data management for analytics by implementing a comprehensive offering based on four main pillars:
- Analytics journey mapping, which involves designing a roadmap that outlines the sequence of activities to be carried out in order to achieve data management and analytics objectives
- Data centralization and storage, which provides analytics initiatives with a single, reliable and centralized source of information
- Business intelligence and automated reporting, which allows us to identify, build and visualize metrics related to key objectives and results, and key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Advanced analytics and simulation, which enable us to forecast, predict and optimize trends or scenarios
What are the most common challenges clients face and how can data help address them in a practical way?
In the two most common applications, data is used as a record of historical information to make predictions.
In the first instance, we seek to predict hardware failures in various assets, such as probes, sensors, industrial equipment, construction equipment, machinery, etc. Using information gathered from previous failures, we can make predictive maintenance recommendations to prevent breakdowns.
Secondly, we attempt to predict the demand for a service or a unit of material or energy based on other variables, such as the additional demand for electricity following the development of a new urban project, the demand for drinking water in a sector based on the time of day and day of the week, or the demand for public transport based on weather data, etc.
In both cases, strong knowledge of statistical modelling makes it possible to implement automated learning algorithms that meet specific needs.
Data management is evolving rapidly with digital technologies. How do you stay at the forefront of best practices and innovations in this field?
Technology monitoring and continuous training are two ways for our team members to remain updated on best practices
However, the two elements that I believe offer the most benefits in terms of continuous innovation are:
- Continuous inspection of, experimentation with and adaptation to all existing and emerging technologies to meet the unique needs of our clients
- Close interdisciplinary collaboration with business experts from the various sectors and fields in which we work
Essentially, in the world of data projects, we work alongside internal experts in data stemming from sensors and probes specific to certain trades, and being able to rely on their expertise is a tangible competitive advantage.
Can you give us an example of a recent project where your expertise had a significant impact?
I had the opportunity to contribute to a project with a very large Quebec manufacturing company of international calibre. The project consisted of providing a centralized solution for tracking key performance indicators across the organization.
This involved analyzing data sources, conducting interviews and facilitating workshops with executive and operational stakeholders, defining and proposing the ideal KPIs, centralizing data sets, building the user experience and creating dynamic reports that are automatically refreshed.
This was a large-scale project involving a multidisciplinary team that enabled the executive committee to make data-driven decisions and clarify the accountability of each division manager during their monthly management meeting.
What advice would you give to organizations that want to transition to more strategic data management?
First, I have a few warnings to help you avoid falling into the most common pitfalls in this type of initiative.
In this age of artificial intelligence, it is very tempting to begin at the end, by ‘quickly’ creating chatbots or dashboards without considering the real needs of users and the available data, its format and its reliability.
By building solutions too quickly based on incomplete or unpolished data, you create a system that feeds on bad information and can only inevitably provide bad responses.
I therefore recommend taking the time to really identify the business or project objectives you want to monitor and resolve, identify the actual measures that can be calculated based on the available information, inventory this information and its data sources, and then tackle one project at a time— surrounding yourself with a team of experts.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your downtime? What do you do to take your mind off work?
‘Get moving!’ Whether it's downhill skiing, water skiing, swimming, cycling, running or CrossFit sessions, physical activity is often on the agenda. I'm actually training for my first triathlon this summer!
I love going for long walks with my dog, Woody, in parks, near the water or in the forest.
I also try to take the time to read novels, cook good meals and keep up with the financial markets and news about the tech and entertainment giants.
Learn more about these services: Systems, software and data management - CIMA+