Short description This practical book provides managers with five essential steps to improve their business intelligence and allow them to carry out the kind of reality check they need to maintain competitive advantage for their organization. The author's simple, step-by-step model offers managers a vital tool for analyzing their business and improving performance.
From the contents ABOUT THE AUTHOR.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
FOREWORD.
1 THE DATA-KNOWLEDGE CRUNCH.
Introduction.
The data and information explosion.
The failure to turn data into mission-critical insights.
Investment in business intelligence.
Evidence-based management.
Conclusions.
2 THE EVIDENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT MODEL.
Introduction.
Evidence-based medicine.
The scientific method.
The EbM model explained.
Conclusions.
3 IDENTIFYING OBJECTIVES AND INFORMATION NEDS.
Introduction.
How a police 'SWAT' team uses EbM.
Step 1 - sub-step one: what do we need to know?
Strategic performance management frameworks.
A strategy map as a hypothesis.
Who needs to know what, when and why?
What are the most important unanswered questions?
Ten steps for creating good KPQs and KAQs.
Conclusions.
4 COLLECTING THE RIGHT DATA.
Introduction.
Key performance indicators and building evidence.
Collecting the right data.
What is evidence and what is data?
Data collection methodologies.
Quantitative data collection methods.
Qualitative data techniques.
Using both quantitative and qualitative data.
Making data collection part of the job.
Engaging people in data collection.
Assigning meaning to data.
Reliability and validity.
Planning the data collection process.
The role of IT infrastructure and applications in the collection of data.
Conclusions.
5 ANALYSE THE DATA AND GAIN INSIGHTS.
Introduction.
Data analysis.
Budgeting and planning.
Reporting and consolidation.
Value-driver modelling.
Experimentation.
Role of IT infrastructure and applications in analysing data.
Conclusions.
6 PRESENT AND COMMUNICATE THE INFORMATION.
Introduction.
How to get the attention of decision makers.
Publishing analogies.
Guidance for presenting information.
The role of IT infrastructure and applications in presenting information.
Conclusions.
7 TURNING INFORMATION INTO ACTIONABLE KNOWLEDGE.
Introduction.
Ensure that the available evidence is used to make the best decisions.
