Are you getting the most out of your data?

Business Analytics

Webinar

Info-Tech Research Group 2Info-Tech Research Group 2

Info-Tech Research Group is a trusted source of quality IT research and

consulting services

Info-Tech Research Group is a world-class provider of IT

research and advice that drives measureable results. We

leverage our knowledge of the IT market, best practice research,

and diagnostic programs to help IT departments evolve from fire-

fighting cost centers to trusted partners driving the business

forward through technology.

Info-Tech Research Group serves more than 30,000 members across 5 continents across the gamut of industries. Offices are located in Toronto, Canada; London, Canada, and Las Vegas, Nevada

Shari Lava: AVP – Vendor Advisory Services

Info-Tech Research Group

Shari Lava is the Associate Vice President for Info-Tech’s Vendor Consulting and Industry

Research team that focuses on evaluating best fit industry solutions for specific markets.

Having previously worked as a Senior Research Analyst Ms. Lava led and built Info-Tech’s

Vendor Landscapes and strategy research in the Applications space, working directly with

vendors to understand their market strengths.

Previous to Info-Tech, Ms. Lava was part of Deloitte Consulting’s Public Sector practice.

Shari’s role was to lead the selection, development and implementation of solutions in this

sector, adhering to best practice methodologies.

Ms. Lava is ITIL certified, a Certified Change Management professional and a member of the

International Association of Business Communicators.


SAS is the leader in analytics. Delivering analytics, business intelligence and

data management software and services.

SAS is the leader in business analytics software and services,

and the largest independent vendor in the business intelligence

market. Through innovative solutions, SAS helps customers at

more than 70,000 sites improve performance and deliver value

by making better decisions faster. Since 1976 SAS has been

giving customers around the world THE POWER TO KNOW®.

SAS has customers in 140 countries, and software installed at more than 75,000 business,

government and university sites worldwide.

Steve Holder, National Practice Lead, Analytics

SAS Institute, Canada

Steve is responsible for driving the analytics solution strategy in Canada; providing thought

leadership for the Analytics and Big Data portfolio. A Canadian analytics evangelist Steve

has seen first-hand how the use of analytics can help customers solve the most intractable

problems; make the best decisions possible and unearth new opportunities. Steve’s passion

is making technology make sense for everyone regardless of their technical skillset.

With over two decades of software industry experience, spanning: management, solutions

architecture, presales and sales, Steve brings alignment and consistent execution across

SAS’ enterprise, small and medium business segment and channel customers.

Prior to joining SAS in 2014 Steve was regional deliver director at IBM and Director of

solution strategy at SAP.


Business Analytics: Terms We Confuse

Predictive Analytics?

Big Data?

Data Mart?

Ad Hoc Reporting?

Analytics?Cross-Channel Analytics?

Algorithm?

Business Intelligence?

Operational Reporting?

Data Mining?


Agenda

Business Intelligence vs Business Analytics

Business Analytics Use Cases

Kicking Off A BA Project with a Strong Team

Building a Business Case

Technology, People, and Process Considerations

Pilot

Implementing a Pilot Project

Closing Thoughts

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8



Business Intelligence Business AnalyticsBoth

Past Present FutureInsight

Into

BI is heavily focused on observing

historical and present data to create

reports and dashboards

Focus on evaluating and assessing

the present and future of the

organization by utilizing regressions,

trends, and forecasts

Reporting is focused on tracking,

documenting, and analyzing current

trends




Mid-Market Business Analytics Use Cases

5%

5%

20%5%

30%

15%

20%

Product Evaluation Features

Usability

Mid-Market organizations likely have less technical staff and

more business users interacting directly with the software,

increasing the need for an intuitive user interface, especially

for difficult analytical functions.

AffordabilitySmall organizations with limited resources will place high

priority on an affordable BA solution.

ArchitectureArchitecture is always a concern when investing, effecting

the initial time investment and future scalability for a small

Mid-Market organization.

Vendor Evaluation Features

ViabilityViability is important, but a vendor’s strategy to support the

market is more important.

Focus Vendor is committed to the market segment and product

improvements and listens to customers’ requests for new

features.

ReachSmaller organizations tend to be more localized, but still

need support from their vendor.

SalesThe sales process for the mid-market needs to be flexible

and adaptable to meet the budgetary constraints of these

organizations.

Usability

Affordability

Architecture

Viability

Focus

ReachSales


Use Case Examples

HR IT

Finance

Logistics

Sales

and

Marketing

Talent Assessment

Performance Assessment

Employee Satisfaction Modelling

Shipping Route Optimization

Package Optimization Company Growth Forecasting

Demand Forecasting

Incident and Problem

Management Assessment

Change Management

Assessment

Activity-Based Budgeting

Valuations Risk Assessment

Development Time

Estimation


If You Want to Kick Off a Business Analytics or Business Intelligence Project

Your Need to Have a Good Team Supporting You

Business Sponsor

Enterprise / System Architect

Business Analyst

DBA / Data Modeller

1

2

3

4

Core Team Sponsor

CMO

CFO

CIO

Significant influence among

senior decision makers

High enthusiasm for BAA good working relationship

with IT1 3

5

The experience to make the

high-level strategic decisions7

Strong understanding of

Analytics

High credibility among senior

decision makers

Ample availability over the

next three months

2

4 6

Traits


Sell Your Stakeholders With a Strong Business Case that Has the Following

Key Elements

• What is this project?

• Why are you doing this project?

Part of the business case will be developed prior to picking your

team while the rest will be developed with your team.

Project

Background

Quantitative and

Qualitative

Benchmarks

Alternative

Solutions

Implementation

Risks

• What are the measurable benefits of this project related to current KPIs?

• What are other benefits the company would experience?

• What are some case studies of these benefits?

• What alternatives did you consider?

• How did you rank these alternatives?

• Why are you picking your specific solution?

• How will you execute your plan?

• Who will be responsible for your plan?

• What are some risks associated with this project?

• How will you mitigate any risks?


Key Technology Considerations Before Implementing

Data Architecture

Data Development

Interoperable

Data Integration

Data Operations

Data Security

Master Data Management

Data

Warehouse

Content Management

Metadata Management

Data Quality

Business Analytics


Key People and Process Considerations Before Implementing

People Process

Culture Change:

Role Change – From a:

• Accept data; and

• Be curious about data

DBA Data Scientist

Reporting and Analysis

Queries:

• Business leaders run reports

• IT maintains and updates

systems

Reporting and Analysis

Timing:

• Run analytics continuously

• Less time reporting

• More time analyzing


Pilot Before You Implement

DO DON’T

Gain approval from your Sponsor and key

stakeholders to pilot the project

Pilot BA on a small project that has:

• Low visibility

• High data quality

• Low complexity

Implement a solution without Piloting

Pilot BA on a project that has:

• High visibility

• Low data quality

• High complexity

• High time sensitivity


Pilot Project Implementation

Pre Check-In

Business Needs

Data Needs

Tech Needs

Sprints

Post QA

Requirements Data Architecture

System

Architecture and

Environment

Deployment

Planning


Closing Thoughts

Business Analytics is the way of the future for companies

Machine learning, and deep learning will further spur the

growth and effectiveness of Analytics

Make sure your company is ready to take advantage of

everything Analytics has to offer

Select a vendor that meets your specific needs

Be thorough with your implementation and support

1

2

3

4

5

Data & Analytics

Are you getting the most out of your data?