With the ever-increasing drive to digital tools and automation, it's easy to assume that technology alone is the key to effective data management. During a recent panel discussion at the Data Driven Oil & Gas event in Houston, attendees heard from industry veteran Holly Frankenfield, Director - Enterprise Project Management Office & Data Excellence at Vital Energy – who reminded the audience that the real differentiator isn’t the tools; it’s the people using them. We couldn’t agree more! Putting humans at the center and empowering teams is core to everything KDI develops.

Below are some valuable takeaways we'd like to share from Holly's conversation:

Leadership Shapes Data Culture

Any successful data initiative begins with leadership. When executives encourage innovation, support calculated risk-taking, and allow room for failure, they lay the foundation for a culture where data can drive meaningful decisions. At Vital Energy, the CEO’s proactive, supportive stance has been pivotal in driving their digital transformation forward.

Change Management Isn't Optional—It's Essential

Implementing new technologies is never just about the tech. It's about how people adapt to and embrace change. Holly put it perfectly: “Organizations are made up of individuals, and each person experiences change differently.”

That means ongoing communication, regular feedback, and active listening are critical for ensuring adoption and long-term success.

Understanding Resistance to Change

Resistance is natural—but it’s manageable when you understand the root causes. Overcoming it means:

• Listening to concerns
• Giving teams a voice in the process
• Creating transparency and accountability
• Showing real-world benefits of new systems

When people see how a tool helps them, rather than just the organization, they’re more likely to get on board.

Collaboration Breaks Down Silos

True data success requires strong collaboration between IT, operations, and business teams. To make that happen:

• Encourage open, ongoing communication
• Conduct stakeholder analysis to understand different perspectives
• Highlight individual benefits (“What’s in it for me?”) for each group

When departments work together, data initiatives become far more effective and scalable.

The Modern Tech Leader: More People-Focused Than Ever

Today’s technology leaders need more than technical expertise—they need emotional intelligence and change management skills. They must bridge business goals and digital strategies while leading people through rapid transformation.

Practical Tips to Getting Started

• Begin with small, manageable projects
• Use simple AI tools to deliver quick wins
• Build feedback loops to learn and adapt
• Always prioritize people alongside technology
  
  

Final Thought: Don't forget, it's mostly about the people

At the end of the day, successful data management is 80% people and 20% technology. When organizations invest in the human side—building trust, encouraging collaboration, and leading with empathy—they unlock the full potential of their data strategies.

Read how Kongsberg Digital's Industrial Work Surface helps empower teams here.