Questions to ask your Business Intelligence Strategy
Business intelligence is an oxymoron
Since its inception, the term "business intelligence" has occasionally been referred to as an oxymoron - similar other terms like, "almost exactly", “exact estimate” or “safe risks”. But if we put our opinions aside and instead focus on the promise of Business Intelligence and what it has to offer our business, we find that it starts with a focus on the "business".
Business intelligence is magic
Business intelligence is about turning data into information and information into actions that make the business "smarter", thereby increasing business value.
Business intelligence Questions
Keep these questions at the forefront of your business intelligence initiative and decisions about technology, architecture, and implementation approaches will suddenly have appropriate context. Use these questions as you start a new Business Intelligence initiative or to help you reinvigorate an existing initiative.
- What business information do we need?
- For what business analyses?
- In support of what key business decisions?
- That affect what core business processes?
- To deliver how much business value?
- Via what changes to people, processes, and technology?
When is business intelligence successful
Business value is dependent upon having alignment between your
business intelligence strategy and business goals, as well as a set of business-driven information requirements that explicitly link them together.
In the end the goal of business intelligence is to empower decision-makers, allowing them to make better and faster decisions. Better decisions make better business! Remember – a good Business Intelligence solution doesn’t have to cost an arm and leg to be effective. People we talk to are often amazed at the cost relative to the value it provides their organization in meeting member needs and planning for the future.
Any finally what is your favourite oxymoron? Here are some of mine: pretty ugly, punk music, airline food and silent women!