The first step on Regeneron’s journey was to examine its own data literacy maturity. While Regeneron already used data well, an assessment unveiled key improvement opportunities. EPAM leveraged these findings to structure the data literacy program, including building a common language around data and cultivating a data-informed culture where people understand how to access data and connect it to value.

As part of the assessment, we discovered that Regeneron employees had varying degrees of data literacy. Additionally, each role at Regeneron required different levels of data literacy and had nuances specific to that role. To ensure the program was successful, we provided targeted, relevant content that was aligned with each participant’s unique role and knowledge level.

Leveraging our own learning platforms and content, EPAM Continuum designed a 16-week program that starts with a kickoff week and then the remaining time is divided into five modules:​ 1) introduction to data literacy, 2) data policies and governance​, 3) data tools and data sources, 4) fundamentals of data analytics and 5) communicating with data.​ Each module consists of two weeks of individual self-paced e-learning and a third week of virtual webinars. The content combines curated learning videos with relevant in-house expertise through user-generated content at Regeneron. The program is presented through a variety of online modalities in a responsive format including interactions (flip cards, tabs, accordions, carousels, etc.), knowledge checks, application activities, data projects, assessments and facilitated virtual sessions.

To make the data literacy program truly transformative, we created a data literacy platform that serves as a hub for participants to gain up-to-date information on the program, latest data literacy news, frequently asked questions and other resources. Additionally, the team built a competency matrix, which aligns desired data literacy knowledge with roles throughout the company to ensure employees have the expertise required to help Regeneron reach its data literacy objectives.

As one of the interactive elements of the program, we developed a workbook that allows participants to reflect on challenges or opportunities in their personal or professional lives and how they can leverage data to solve them effectively. Participants describe the challenge in terms of what they hoped to gain or resolve by applying data-informed decision-making. Sample scenarios are provided for users to reference as they work through each step of their chosen challenge.

Each module includes the opportunity to continue the conversation with peers on Microsoft Teams. This helps build a data culture and community by empowering participants to put their newfound skills into practice and share their insights so others could learn. ​And the connections don’t stop there — we developed a data literacy alumni program to enable alums to actively contribute and gain recognition for using their data literacy skills to understand, work with and communicate with data, treat data as an asset and identify business use cases for getting value out of the data.