Citizen data scientist: business expert and data specialist

Faced with an ever-increasing volume of data, it is imperative that businesses recruit specialists capable of analysing it. However, the current high demand for data professionals is leading to a shortage of this type of profile, particularly for data scientists. To deal with this, some companies are training their finance, marketing or sales staff... and turning them into citizen data scientists. What is their role? What skills and training do they need?

Having appeared in France less than two years ago, the citizen data scientist is more a role than a profession. The role can be filled by a marketing or finance manager, or even a production manager in the industrial sector, for example. There is a similarity with the role of DPO (data protection officer), responsible for personal data protection, which can be filled by a lawyer. To analyse and exploit the data in a simplified way, the citizen data scientist relies on business intelligence tools such as Power BI, Tableau or Qliksense. The citizen data scientist's area of expertise covers all business sectors.

What are the missions of the citizen data scientist?

The main role of the citizen data scientist is to facilitate the use and understanding of data science by the business. They process the data using simplified business intelligence tools and extract value for their business and their company. They explain the benefits that can be derived from data ("evangelising" role) and position themselves as catalysts for the use of data science. They support operational teams in the paradigm shift around data, identifying needs and helping to develop data projects, with the aim of ensuring that all business operators become experienced users. They can be involved in the entire data-related value chain.

What studies should I do?

The job requires a certain amount of expertise in the business of the team that the citizen data scientist will be joining. For management positions, additional training in data science, via a DU, MBA or project manager training in data or artificial intelligence, is recommended. This position requires a strong background in project management and a cross-functional vision of the team's business.

What skills do you need?

The profile of a citizen data scientist is less specialised than that of a data scientistThis is because it is supported by analysis tools that make it easier to manipulate the data. However, these business professionals need to develop their skills, particularly in statistics and machine learning.

TECHNICAL SKILLS (hard skills / Know-how)

• Expert in the team's original field (production unit, management, corporate strategy, etc.)
• Mastery of the fundamental principles of data science and knowledge of the families of mathematical models
• Mastery of data strategy and the implementation and management of data chains
• Mastery of tools for collecting, annotating, analysing and interpreting data and data models
• Mastery of database management processes (SQL/NoSQL, Hadoop, Spark)
• Knowledge of the legal and ethical aspects of data collection and handling

BEHAVIOURAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS (soft skills)

• Strategic and cross-functional vision
• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to summarise
• Pedagogy and the ability to explain things in layman's terms
• Curiosity about sectors and a taste for innovation
• Good stress management

What is a citizen data scientist's typical day?

The citizen data scientist lives at the pace of the business teams they support. They are involved at every stage: from the ideation phase (the process by which anyone can come up with ideas in response to a problem) and the analysis phase to identify where and how the implementation of a data process can be beneficial, through to analysing the results of the models and implementing changes in the way the teams work.

He or she takes part in strategic meetings to set up a new data process, helps gather information, analyses models with any data science teams and discusses with business teams how to modify a production line, for example.

How much does a citizen data scientist earn?

The position of citizen data scientist is only just beginning to become established in France. Salaries are highly dependent on the sector of activity and the level and importance of data for the company.

Because of the initial positions held by citizen data scientists, salaries range from €32,000 gross per annum for juniors to €100,000 per annum for strategic and senior positions.

What are its development prospects?

The role of citizen data scientist opens up prospects for strategic management positions within the company. They are mainly involved in issues relating to team performance, whether in terms of sales or to provide visibility on processes, making them easier to manage. These profiles can evolve into expert business analysts or management positions (director, regional or sector manager).

Can you speak citizen data scientist?

The five words most often used by citizen data scientists are :

Data data: one or a set of information, digital or not, that can be used to extract an understanding of a process (the operation of a machine, an assembly line, the sales cycle, user feedback on a product, etc.) and that can add value when analysed en masse.

Annotation taking a blank database and identifying the key elements required for data science models.

Dataset A collected database associated with a data science problem, often annotated.

Dataviz The interfaces and processes through which the results of data science analyses are presented and viewed by all users.

Computer This is the computing power or IT infrastructure that hosts the algorithms and data analysis tools.

Any advice for people interested in this profession?

The twin profession of the data scientist, the citizen data scientist sits at the junction between strategic management and the data teams. They are the link that enables business teams to use data science throughout the value chain. Their role is therefore central to the digital transformation of businesses, and will remain so for years to come. Yet this job is doomed to disappear. With the spread and simplification of data analysis applications and services, more and more non-IT specialists will be able to manipulate and interpret data. When everyone is a citizen data scientist, no one will be one.

What are the attractions and constraints of this job?