Strategies in Developing Big Data Analytics Skills Among IT/BPM Professionals In Sri Lanka

Abstract

The growing adoption of big data has raised global concern over the skills shortage to meet its high demand, making Big Data Analytics (BDA) upskilling essential for professionals. The Information Technology/Business Process Management (IT/BPM) industry of Sri Lanka, major adopters of big data, are still in search for effective BDA upskilling mechanisms and strategies. Thus, the study aims to identify common BDA upskilling mechanisms and develop a process model to understand BDA upskilling in this industry. Research methodology employs a literature survey of BDA skills considering the skills categorization of the Katz skills framework for initial exploration of specific BDA skills and interviews with industry experts to achieve research objectives. Thematic analysis of collected data revealed research findings as the critical need to upskill for BDA, highlighting the local BDA skills gap and identifying major mechanisms like expert sessions, training courses, challenges, collaborative and practical engagement, supported by incentives, resources, and a learning culture. The process model developed from the findings suggests a systematic approach to BDA upskilling, considering technical, conceptual, and human skills through a continuous sequential process from skills specification to skills identification, implementing upskilling mechanisms and BDA skills gap identification. Research outcomes also recommend frequently updating, improving mechanisms and aligning them with employee needs when upskilling for BDA. The study underscores BDA skills development among Sri Lankan IT/BPM professionals and contributes to local and global BDA skills enhancement, addressing the awareness and literature gap in big data. Limitations direct future research to consider larger sample sizes and explore challenges and integration with advanced technologies for BDA upskilling.