Business Intelligence First Error
Business Intelligence is great but only when completed correctly. Over the next few weeks we will take on some of the common misunderstands that companies have about Business Intelligence. The first hurdle where companies fall is under the assumption that once you have Business Intelligence software the rest fall into place.
Business Intelligence is a warehouse
What if you built a data warehouse and no one used it? This “fatal flaw” sees IT building a data warehouse in advance of understanding business user needs and without any business user input. Having built the warehouse to deliver crucial business data, IT sometimes believes its value will be self-evident and that users will flock to it for the information they need.
Though IT’s efforts spring from the best of intentions, the data warehouse fails to attract users or generate ROI. There are many reasons: it may have a complex user interface; it may present data in a way that is unfamiliar to business users; or it may not offer the appropriate capabilities—all flaws that stem from acting in advance of understanding the needs of business users.
The solution is to combine business relevance with strong architecture. Try to pose these questions to the business: Is the data garnered appropriate for business users? It is correct and precise? Are answers and insights available when needed?
Business Intelligence for the company
Most Business Intelligence providers target the professional author, or “power user.” This group accounts for a mere five percent of the employees in a typical organization. For Business Intelligence to be a catalyst for better performance, organizations must engage the remaining 90 percent. This is a diverse group that includes casual business users, managers, and executives. All of these users need to make decisions. However, the rich functionality and interactivity provided by most business intelligence applications often proves overwhelming. Most casual users need little of this interactivity. Instead, they need easy access to regularly distributed reports and other BI content.
Business Intelligence is simple
Rather than force casual users to struggle with complex data hierarchies, Business Intelligence should use simple business terms and present information clearly. This helps users understand what is happening within their sphere of responsibility and make the right decisions. Business managers have a wider range of responsibilities that demand a wider range of capabilities: reports that provide drill-through to detail and context; basic reporting, and occasional ad hoc queries and analysis.
Business Intelligence Goal
Business Intelligence should act as a central source of consistent information for the entire organization. Consistent information leads to people collaborating more effectively and making decisions with more confidence.
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