10 keys to a successful business intelligence strategy

Monitor BI use and adjust as necessaryДЄlthough the business should own BI initiatives, IT must remain an active partner in monitoring and evaluating use of BI systems.ДЄs Evelson explains: вЂњRather than putting up roadblocks, monitor what theyвЂ™re doing, what data sources theyвЂ™re accessing, what tools they are using and how they are using them, whether business unit A is using BI more than business unit B.вЂќ As such, IT ownership can be an impediment, rather than enabler, of BI success, Evelson says.Дў. TodayвЂ™s business users often need actionable information in real time and cannot wait for IT to generate reports. Similarly, the speed at which users need access to data and insights derived from BI has increased dramatically in recent years. вЂњThe business must absolutely be in charge,вЂќ he adds.ДЄlthough the complexities of early BI technologies put IT in charge of many BI programs, todayвЂ™s tools are more intuitive, allowing them to go straight into the hands of business users who can run the queries that matter to them. This may mean embedding BI within lines of business or having BI operations report to the chief digital officer or chief customer officer. Organizations that place BI in the hands of business users have greater success rates than those who confine BI within IT, Evelson says. Moreover, BI strategies should be broken down even further to address ownership and continual improvement as well.ДЇollowing are seven essential components of any successful BI strategy, according to several BI experts. Getting the personnel and processes portions right are much more challenging, he says.ДЄs such, organizations must addresses personnel and processes as key facets of their BI strategy if they want to be successful. In fact, deploying the technology is the easiest part of any BI initiative, according to Boris Evelson, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research. It takes laser focus on processes and personnel - and a business-first approach to gaining insights from data.Д«usiness intelligence (BI) is essential for business growth and competitive advantage, yet reaping benefits from BI requires more than implementing the technology that enables it.

BI success requires more than just a strong technology platform.

10 keys to a successful business intelligence strategy