Successful BI adoption: what works and what doesn’t?
The rise of the Internet of Things has led to many systems generating data. This often leads to a desire to make better use of the data that is available. However, clear objectives are often missing. The process usually starts with building a dashboard instead of formulating a clear question or desired outcome. The result is a report with visually appealing charts, but without purpose, these have little to no impact on daily operations.
Business Intelligence is not a project that ends once the dashboard is delivered. It is a change in the way people work. Without a clear goal and without integration into existing processes, BI simply delivers too little value.
A BI solution without a defined place in daily routines, such as a fixed moment in the week to review and discuss reports, will lack impact. Data that is not linked to action remains passive and will not create value. Then, adopting BI becomes challenging, as there’s no clear pathway from data to decision-making.
Effective BI adoption starts with one clear goal
Start small, and more importantly, start with one clear and tangible goal. Something simple, like a daily overview of out-of-stock AA items or late deliveries from the warehouse. This brings focus, and repetition eventually ensures structural attention. It makes the transition to data-driven work practical and manageable.
“What does work?”
By starting with a single question within one process, you create space to grow from there. You learn what works and what does not and can then make informed decisions for further development.
It is also important to start simple. If you want to measure stock availability for example, but you’re not sure how to begin, start with the most basic calculation: either an item is in stock (100%) or it isn’t (0%). You can refine the calculation over time. Soon, you’ll notice that some stock might be reserved and therefore not truly available. That’s when more advanced logic can be added to the calculation.
Adoption starts with the right guidance
It also requires guidance from someone with experience in helping organizations implement BI effectively. This person can be internal or external, as long as they understand the processes you’re trying to improve. BI adoption goes beyond simply building dashboards. It involves translating data into insights, and insights into actions. To achieve this, it’s essential to combine data with business context.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. However, there are plenty of examples of what works and what doesn’t. In my experience, by sharing best practices and, more importantly listening closely, a tailored approach naturally emerges.
A real-life example
One of our clients had a dashboard related to out-of-stocks. Technically, it was delivered exactly as initially agreed. But after several months, it became clear that no actions were linked to the KPIs, and that the dashboard had not found a fixed place in the day-to-day process.
By going back to the essence of the dashboard and asking the right questions, such as what exactly do we want to know, five times why, and when do we need it, we eventually arrived at a tailored solution that worked for that specific department. This new solution proved effective for everyone, making it easier for them to navigate and use the dashboard. The result was a reduction in out-of-stocks and an increase in the availability of AA items.
BI requires more than just technology
In conclusion, Business Intelligence is not just a tool. It is a way of working. Like any behavioral change, it requires solid guidance, a clear structure and concrete objectives. Without those three elements, BI will remain something that floats above the organization, and no action will follow.
The key to successful implementation and adoption lies with people, processes and ownership. Technology simply makes information available. Start small and connect the insights you gather to specific actions. Create focus and repetition, which in turn bring structure. That is when BI truly becomes part of how you work and starts delivering value.
Author: Jeremy van der Ley (BI lead NL)
