Based on the author's experience consulting and planning Business Intelligence/Business Analytics/Big Data Analytics systems for various organizations, it has been observed that a common "starting point" is seeking tools first, such as Power BI, Tableau, or a data warehouse system, even before the organization has a clear need or knows what it wants to analyze. In reality, some organizations may not even need new tools at all
Simply restructuring data from existing systems such as ERP, CRM, or Excel into an easy-to-understand Management Information System (MIS) can address business needs to a certain extent. Therefore, to help organizations avoid "wasting money before knowing the goals," the author recommends the following five checkpoints to consider before starting a BI/BA project:
1. Is the information ready?
Does your organization already have data in its ERP, Excel, or sales system? Is that data being used to create information systems such as reports, graphs, and comparison tables? Is historical data being analyzed or compared against targets?
Tip : Start by creating simple dashboards using the free Power BI or Excel PivotTable to visualize monthly sales trends and best-selling product groups.
2. Is the objective of the analysis clear?
What do executives want to know from the data, such as "Why are sales declining?" or "Which customer segments are profitable?" Do these goals change frequently, and how long does it take for these needs to solidify?
Tip : It's recommended to start by asking a specific question, such as, "How are sales of product group A in the northern region this year?", and then expand on the topic.
3. Are the people in the organization ready?
Is there already someone handling the data or understanding the basics of BI? Is there no primary person responsible for system development? Do we need to hire external consultants or provide additional internal training?
Tip : It's recommended to send employees for introductory Power BI training or hire a consultant to help kick-off the project first, and then transfer the knowledge back to the employees.
4. What should the tool be?
Are the existing tools sufficient, such as Excel and an ERP system? If we were to purchase tools like Power BI or Tableau, how much would it cost, and would it be worthwhile? Is the infrastructure ready to support it?
Tip : Start with Power BI Pro or the free version, then upgrade to the Premium version if necessary.
5. Are you capable of planning an agile work process?
Which department should the system start with first? For example, can the sales department or the warehouse divide the system into phases and sub-goals, and then collect feedback for improvement?
Tip : We recommend starting with the sales team → conducting real-world testing → gathering feedback → then expanding to other departments. This approach helps reduce risk and results in a system more suited to actual users.
summarize
Many organizations don't need to invest in new tools or systems immediately. Start by clearly understanding the data and business goals first, then choose the right business analytics tools. The key isn't how pretty the graphs are, but the insights that help you make better decisions
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