Anyone have opinions on the GDIA group? I hear that parts of the organization are hiring their own people to do work that would traditionally be scoped to GDIA?
Thoughts? Comments?
11 replies (most recent on top)
GDIA stands for Global Data Insights and Analytics. They are the data science group for Ford. Their purpose is to help the business make more informed decisions through data and analytics.
What is GDIA (I retired Nov 18, out of touch with new names!)??
Thanks!
GDIA totally changed when Paul left. My favorite leaders left at the end of 2019, and it's a sh–show now. I'm searching for a new job. We all are.
GDIA is basically just a bunch of guys facebooking or planning their lunch or weekend activities together on company time.
No value but management throws GDIA terminology to show that they are in the " know" and with the "cool guys".
The advent of "useless metrics" to chase our tail with excel spreadsheets is alive and well.
@2yrd+13Bn2RXE What you are describing
“ They would ask us to do something, we would do it (in a timely manner too) and then they would change their mind and want something else.”. happens when there is a disconnect between IT and the business. It is a common thing when one/both sides are not really listening to each other.
‘ Now it seems like the business doesn't even care. “. This happens when the business side has decided they are tired of wasting their time, and are only humoring senior leadership by making it appear that GDIA might provide some value to them- but they have given up.
Your leadership has failed to ensure that proper communication and understanding with the business has occurred.
You say that GDIA has talent, I am guessing you are very young as the most valuable lesson you can learn is that your job is to ensure you add value to the business and company. Your job is not to create some wiz bang report that the business did not want - but to actively listen to and understand what the business needs. Those who master that skill can write their ticket anywhere.
You have embarked on a slippery slope of apathy. A future employer won’t be impressed with the apathetic attitude. But it is your choice and life to live. And the attitude fits perfectly at Ford.
I work in GDIA and have for my whole time at Ford. I can't speak for all of GDIA, but I will share my experiences.
When I first started, the team I was on was doing work that impacted the business. The business would communicate with us. They would provide the data and relevant information, review our results, and ask questions. They would ask us about our progress and help set deadlines. My manager pushed us to get stuff done and we did.
After changing teams though (and business customers), the relationship with the business got worse. Not worse in a "feelings" way, but bad from a "get things done" perspective. Early on in my new team, it seemed like the business was always changing its mind. They would ask us to do something, we would do it (in a timely manner too) and then they would change their mind and want something else. Now it seems like the business doesn't even care. We can take a long time on a task and the business won't ask about it. We can have useless meetings and show results that aren't worth anything, and they don't get upset.
The problem with GDIA is NOT talent. There are talented people in GDIA. The problem is the lack of accountability. GDIA leaders don't hold direct reports accountable and the business doesn't hold GDIA accountable. In my area, you can
- show up late (like 9:30 AM/later)
- leave early (like before 5:00 PM, even when you came in at 9:30 AM)
- frequently work from home
- take a lot longer on tasks than necessary
I am guilty of this too. Sure, you can state that GDIA workers like me and my co-workers are to blame, but if management is going to give you so much slack, why not take it? Why should I bust my butt when my work won't make a difference anyway? Why hustle when no one cares?
Anyone hear rumors of a hiring freeze?
The people and leaders who were trying to do the right things in GDIA were retired or SRDed. I had some good experiences with those no longer in GDIA. I have not had any good experiences since May. The Ford silos, bureaucracy, hierarchy over knowledge, volume over value, work avoidance, endless meetings have fully invaded GDIA.
My experience is the same as @1mtp+13Bn2RXE . GDIA had all sorts of meetings with us and wanted us to do all the work. I still havent seen any output from them and it appears to be another black hole for money.
GDIA to the best of my knowledge has not produced anything of value, I've been in several groups where they basically wanted us to do all the work for them. Never mind that we actually had our things to deliver.
GDIA to the best of my knowledge has not produced anything of value, I've been in several groups where they basically wanted us to do all the work for them. Never mind that we actually had our things to deliver.