When companies invest in new technology solutions, they usually have high expectations for that investment. This is especially true when they choose to invest in a business intelligence (BI) tool. A BI implementation should lead to better reporting and the ability to make decisions based on detailed data. However, some companies find it hard to get the results they want, and the implementation can even slow down the process of obtaining useful information.
Fortunately, difficult implementations can be avoided with careful planning and close collaboration with an experienced BI provider. By understanding common pitfalls in advance, you can avoid delays and get your BI solution up and running in record time.
5 Tips for a Smooth BI Implementation
Begin with detailed research. There are many different choices, features, and constraints when it comes to BI solutions. Depending on your business size, you might want to start by checking analyst reports from sources like Forrester or Gartner or visiting sites like GetApp, G2 Crowd, or Capterra. Search forums for user reviews, request customer references from the providers, and discuss with your colleagues about their experiences.
Get clear on your goals. It’s important to fully dissect what it is that you are trying to accomplish – be specific. Know exactly what questions you’ll need to answer to provide the necessary information to make strategic decisions that will impact the business. Define KPIs that represent all departments. Set explicit expectations and agree in advance on how you will calculate ROI and demonstrate business value. Gain consensus on what success looks like.
Secure executive buy-in. Involvement of the executive team and other key stakeholders will become a critical component to the project’s success. Gain executive buy-in early and identify internal champions who have a vested interest and will benefit from BI reporting and dashboards. Consider end-user involvement early in the process as well. The sooner you can determine who will be using the tool, the sooner you can rally that group to become supporters.
Cleanse your data before you begin. One of the most important steps will be identifying the necessary systems to integrate and ensuring the data within those systems is clean. In most cases, companies need to initiate a data clean-up project before beginning their BI implementation. Be sure this project includes new data entry processes to be implemented moving forward. If this step isn’t completed with care, the integrity of your resulting BI reports and dashboards will be in question.
Start small. Choose a few reports that are most critical or that are in systems you’re sure are up-to-date. Ideally, you want something that will be easy to work with to show quick wins and gain further adoption and support. Be sure to provide thorough training and documentation for all users to help ensure adoption in the initiation stages.
Start today and build on your success over time. ClicData has more than a decade of experience partnering with companies like yours to implement efficient BI solutions. If you want to avoid common challenges and see real business benefits in a short time, connect with professional ClicData consultants to schedule a consultation session.