Autora: Lorena Sánchez Osorio

This question is asked of me many times, and sometimes I believe that even when it isn't asked outright, we begin the process in reverse.

And my response is simple: What do you want to achieve? With this question, we often realize that what is needed may not necessarily be BI or an analytics project, at least not at this moment.

The initial response typically revolves around having a large team of analysts who are solely producing reports without sufficient time for analysis. My immediate inquiry is: Why does it take them so long? This is where the true requirements for implementing BI start to emerge: Delays often stem from poor data quality. Implementing BI requires a heightened awareness of data usage across all levels of the organization, acknowledging that if dirty data enters BI, dirty visualizations will result (if data cleansing isn’t implemented).

Another common response is the desire to know the margins of frequently sold products, not just at the end of the month. But I pose the question: Does your operation generate information at the frequency you wish to analyze? Often, managers want daily insights, but expenditure reconciliation occurs monthly. What daily insights could they possibly glean if the team only has time to deliver data once a month? Implementing BI requires an understanding of your organization's data generation process and requesting what the team can realistically provide, or making necessary changes.

Then there's the remark: "My team knows how much we sell. How can I know what I missed out on selling?" The objective is to have the product and sell more. My immediate question is: Do you record what you are asked for but do not possess? Are you willing to invest in market research? To implement BI, one must be conscious of their data and what it can provide. If it's insufficient, external sources can supplement, but at a cost. Are you willing to pay for it?

Thus far, the solutions to these cases haven't required a single line of code for implementing a BI project. As consultants, we must ask uncomfortable questions of company leadership. This fosters a relationship of trust that allows us to positively impact the company's profitability without negatively affecting its organizational culture.

At Wadua Analytics, we have much to offer. Reach out to us; our Data Journey team can support you.

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