Enhancing big data analytics deployment: uncovering stakeholder dynamics and balancing salience in project roles

Deployment constitutes a pivotal aspect of data science projects, such as big data analytics (BDA). A comprehensive definition of successful deployment necessitates the integration of perspectives from both the project stakeholders and the end-users. However, adequate consideration of project stakeholders remains notably absent within the broader view of project deployment. This paper investigates the role of stakeholders in the deployment of BDA projects by applying an ethnographic research design throughout a 12-month period within a large multinational organization. The study employs critical systems heuristics concepts to identify stakeholder roles, which are subsequently classified and analyzed according to the salience model. The empirical findings point towards the missing link between the technical and the business aspects of a BDA project. The organizational function and product management, (capable of comprehending both the technical and business dimensions) must undertake a highly salient stakeholder role to effectively guide the project toward the successful deployment. Additionally, this role will be able to identify the exact beneficiaries, thus enabling them to increase their salience and their interests to resonate across the spectrum of project stakeholders. This study advances the knowledge and understanding of BDA deployment through the lens of a stakeholder perspective and systems thinking. It uncovers the necessary resources by mapping the social roles of a project and assessing their salience. Balancing role-based salience contributes to successful BDA project deployment.