To BI, or not to BI, that is the question?

Humans are creatures of habit and routine. When confronted with the notion of change, resistance takes effect and naturally sets in. Oftentimes humans make decisions based upon gut feeling, which there is arguably merit to in certain situations, simply because it’s faster than gathering the information. In light of this, it’s imperative that the usage of Business Intelligence be considered a non-negotiable priority across the organization starting with sponsorship from executive leadership. Strategically clear and inclusive communication championed from the top, trickling down thereafter, is key to overcoming this obstacle and instilling this shift in mindset.

Data Literacy

Simply gathering information isn’t the same as understanding it. Gartner defines data literacy as “the ability to read, write, and communicate data in context. This includes an understanding of data sources, analytical methods and techniques, and the ability to describe the user case, application, and resulting value”. Said differently, data literacy is the ability to fluently understand and speak data. The balancing act associated with blending the people, process and technology necessary to establish a truly data-informed culture is a growing challenge for many organizations. While intimidating, organizations can overcome this challenge through thoughtfully constructed and executed data literacy training programs.

Data Democratization

Historically, for many justifiable reasons, organizations opted to keep data close to the vest. This data was typically owned and managed by IT, and often resulted in inconvenient wait times for information. With the sheer amount of data organizations are processing today, however, this is no longer an option organizations can afford to consider. Distributing this data across all working teams to gain a competitive advantage is imperative. When you allow data access to everyone in your organization, through the self-service capabilities of Business Intelligence, you are effectively empowering individuals at all levels to use the data in their decision making. With the right tools, training, and strong governance in place to ensure the data is carefully managed, overcoming this obstacle is within reach.

Final Thoughts

The need for Business Intelligence within organizations, for the purposes of survival, has never been greater. If designed, implemented, and managed effectively, Business Intelligence will fuel an organization's digital transformation and drive its growth and profitability. In short, the answer to Hamlet’s question is simply “To BI”.