Critical Success Factors of Business Intelligence Implementation

Most business professionals agree that implementing Business Intelligence is vital in today’s tumultuous environment to maintain competitiveness. But, trying to figure out the critical success factors in implementing Business Intelligence technology can be a real challenge. With so many options, where is the best place to start to be successful in implementing Business Intelligence Software?

First, it is important to focus on what you really need. One of the first considerations is deciding how your business would benefit from the data derived from Business Intelligence. While a Business Intelligence solution can be applied to virtually your entire organization, it can also be limited to just one department. If finances need to be better tracked, that might be the place to start. Or, if you run manufacturing processes, monitoring just one portion of that process might be an option. Conversely, implementation of an entire organization-wide Business Intelligence process, will help to integrate all your departments.

Second, focus on return on investment . Every business must concentrated on how big of an ROI they are getting and purchasing Business Intelligence software is no exception. Business Intelligence technology varies from quite simple to complicated ETL functionality. While it might be attractive to purchase a more complicated product, you may not need all of the features and each of those features have a cost. Not only is the cost in the purchase of the technology, but also in the hours required to learn to use these tools effectively for your team. Before you start implementing Business Intelligence technology, investigate all of the options. While there are many features available in Business Intelligence, not all of them will fit your business adequately. You may need more or fewer options regarding real-time data, accessibility, and data portals. Having a consultant on stand by to help you interpret the data can be helpful, but there is also a cost associated. Interview several different companies and do a thorough search. While a more popular brand of Business Intelligence may seem like the best fit, a smaller company with a more simple, cost-effective process or even open-source software might actually be better for you and your employees.

Third, know why you want it. While many businesses are implementing Business Intelligence, it is important to realize that it is critical to implement Business Intelligence because it is necessary for your business and can be thoroughly utilized, not just because it is the newest trend in organizational management. Just saying you have implemented Business Intelligence for its own sake does not mean that you have taken full advantage of the cost of doing so.

A fourth critical factor is to get buy-in from company management. If the push to implement Business Intelligence technology hasn’t come from the top of the organization, it is critical that they do come into agreement with the need for it. And, not just the CFO, but from the CEO on down. Knowing that the entire organization is rallied behind the implementation of Business Intelligence is key as otherwise, it can become a struggle between IT and operations. In addition, consider is the mindset of your employees. Getting agreement from the key decision makers is a vital concern before any Business Intelligence process is begun. Business Intelligence sometimes requires structural or
hierarchical changes in an organization. Without proper communication and agreement prior to beginning the process, workforce disillusionment can occur, which will slow down or stop the data gathering process entirely. Getting agreement ahead of time, and being honest about the amount of changes necessary, will prepare your employees for the implementation phase of Business Intelligence.

Lastly, remember to provide training and prepare for change. A critical success factor is to evaluate your workforce carefully. When Business Intelligence is implemented it may become clear that some team members have missing skills. Having a mechanism to provide additional training to these workers is a key action of successful companies. Whether in-house training or outsourced training, making sure that every member of a team is on a level playing field is critical to not only enhancing skills, but to developing employee satisfaction and loyalty.

Ownership in the Business Intelligence process is a key component is a key area in developing a culture of Business Intelligence. This can only come when the implementation of Business Intelligence is seen as a new weapon in an organization’s arsenal, not a way to monitor employees. As previously discussed, workers are uncomfortable with change. Communication from the outset about why Business Intelligence isneeded, what it is expected to do, and how it will change the organization, is paramount prior to the first piece of data being gathered. Proud ownership of the Business Intelligence process almost guarantees success. Benefits to team members must be stressed and repeated from the outset for Business Intelligence to be accepted into your organization’s culture.

There are many considerations when thinking about the critical success factors in implementing Business Intelligence. Decisions such as how far reaching your data gathering needs to be, how many features you need, getting the appropriate buy-in and cooperation from your team, and shopping different vendors are just a few of the things that have to be evaluated before a purchase.