Whilst enthusiasm and investment in business intelligence and performance management projects continues across enterprises of all sizes and all industries, major project successes cannot be taken for granted.
From enlightening to disappointing, we use the “helicopter view” and “head in the clouds” analogies to describe the range of outcomes possible from business intelligence projects.
The "Helicopter View" is a metaphor for rising above the detail of the situation so that you can see it as a whole, and see the wider context. It means taking the overview in order to see the essential rather than the detail.
Business Building Blocks
The "Helicopter View" is the big picture of your business and a way to see how all of the parts fit together. To achieve this, the Business Intelligence solutions must be holistic and include all the building blocks of the enterprise. The Business Intelligence solution must also highlight the linkages between the building blocks. The building blocks typically include:
- Customer Segments – who are your customers?
- Value Proposition - what do you offer each of your customer segments?
- Channels - how do you reach each of your customer segments?
- Customer Relationships – how do you relate to your customers over time?
- Revenue Streams - how do you earn money?
- Key Resources – based on which assets are you running your business?
- Key Activities - what key activities do you need to run your business?
- Partner Network - with which partners do you leverage your business?
- Cost Structure – where and what are your most important costs?
Convergence of Data and Performance Management Applications
Performance Management includes a multitude of Business Intelligence applications. The benefits of the “Helicopter View” can only be fully realized when the entire suite of applications is integrated into a single unified application or platform.
Inextricably linked to unified application is the requirement for the convergence of data. Gather the data to support the above "business building blocks” and “performance management applications”. Transform and make it consistent via such processes as Master Data Management and data cleaning (if necessary). Integrate and package the data for BI consumption.
The “Helicopter View” relies on the convergence of both data and performance management applications.
Without a business intelligence helicopter view, supported by reliable and timely detailed information produced by quality and repeatable processes, you could be running your businesses with your head in the clouds when your focus should really be on the ground.