How do I get started with Business Intelligence?
1. Gather the strongest team and let the coach inspire the team
One of the challenges in implementing BI projects lies in bridging the gap between departments in order to avoid that the implementation is carried out as a project for the IT department solely.
You should thus endeavour to combine IT and business understanding in the composition of the team responsible for the implementation. Furthermore, it is pivotal that the management shows full commitment to the project.
3. Balance expectations vs. reality
Employees view the world from very different perspectives and each person has their own needs in their day-to-day work. It is pivotal that the solution is not only tailored to what the BI project team thinks the future users of the BI solution want.
Rather, the BI project team needs to continuously evaluate and balance expectations amongst management as well as the future users of the BI solution in order to fully understand what the users of the BI solution wants.
5. Do not try to boil the ocean
Split the project up into minor phases and create wow effects and successes on the way. Try to have phase 1 of the project completed within the first two months.
7. Get the ball across the line
Make the employees embrace the new BI solution – inform, inspire and educate. Even the most user friendly BI solution will not be successful without user training. Using the BI solution needs to become part of the company culture, and thorough training helps establish a habit of using it on a daily basis.
Ultimately, a strong user adaptation is one of the strongest indicators of a well-executed BI project.
2. Choose wisely – one size does not fit all
Only with the best match between you, your demands, the BI supplier and the product will you get a well-implemented and effective BI solution that meets your specific needs. You need to evaluate whether the BI vendor has the right consultancy- and industry experience.
In relation to this, it is also important not to invest beyond your organisation’s means; some vendors excel in delivering BI solutions for large organisations while others specialise in delivering solution for SMEs.
4. Shoot early and often
In the same ways that fighter pilots use fluorescent projectiles to ensure that they are on target, continuous iterations to the BI project will also ensure that you stay on target, ultimately leading to a better end result.
The organisation and its needs constantly change, for which reason the BI implementation project needs to be flexible enough to take such changes into account.
6. Do not think that the data foundation will be perfect
Your data will probably not be perfect, but do not let the data quality scare you. We know from experience that BI projects actually help illuminate where the data is skewed as well as it strengthens the focus on data handling- and consistency.
8. Raise the bar
BI solutions should, as mentioned, be dynamic. Even when the solution is well-implemented you need to keep asking yourselves how it can be developed further; how can we continue to raise the bar and get the best of our data.
A part of the task with the implementation of a BI project may also be eased through the use of plug-and-play solutions for your specific industry or role.
You can read more about the industry specific BI solutions we offer, or you can be inspired by reading more about some of our customers’ experiences with BI.
