In the development sector, data is no longer just about numbers—it’s a tool for clarity, accountability, and deeper impact. This was the central message of a webinar hosted by TARA and Great Lakes Institute of Management (GLIM), a lead-up to their upcoming Management Development Programme (MDP) on Data Analytics for Social Impact.

The session opened with a clear call: shift from instinct-driven action to informed, strategic decisions. Brig. Yogesh Kapoor, VSM (Retd)—Senior Advisor and Head of Training and Capacity Building at Development Alternatives—emphasised the need for evidence-based leadership to address complex social challenges.

Dr Avik Sarkar, former Head of the Data Analytics Cell at NITI Aayog, highlighted how data, paired with systems thinking, can sharpen governance and accountability. Dr Bappaditya Mukhopadhyaya, Senior Faculty at GLIM, introduced the MDP’s focus on real-world case studies—like the Skills to Livelihood programme—that help participants work directly with field data to improve programme design, forecast impact, and build stronger cases for funding.

TARA teams shared how data collected in the sector often remains underutilised—like the part of an iceberg hidden beneath the surface. But with the right tools and training, this untapped value can inform better strategies and amplify results.

The MDP is designed for CSR professionals, development practitioners, and social sector leaders. It offers hands-on training in Excel, Power BI, Tableau, and GIS, alongside peer learning and group-based problem-solving.

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