Business Intelligence Competency Center: A Team Approach to Maximizing Competitive Advantage

Transform data into action for competitive advantage

"The knowledge assets of an organization are becoming increasingly important for competitive advantage, and therefore, the way in which knowledge is created, renewed, and communicated is critical. This book provides practical insights into how this may be achieved through the establishment of a Business Intelligence Competency Centre and is a valuable read for 'information professionals.'"
—Bill Sturman, Information Architecture Project Manager The Open University, United Kingdom

"BI is more than technology and projects. BI must live in the organization—as a BICC. This book helps to make BI tangible and understandable, bringing it to life."
—Miriam Eisenmann, Project Manager (PMP) CSC Ploenzke AG, Germany

"This book is a must-read for planning and implementing your BICC. It is a pragmatic guide that addresses a lot, if not all, of the questions you'll be asking yourself. Don't miss out on getting a head start from the people who thought this through from start to finish . . . Pray your competitors don't get hold of this book!"
—Claudia Imhoff, President Intelligent Solutions, Inc., USA

"Creating a BICC forces the organization to focus on the importance of centralizing the gathering, interpreting, and analyzing of information to create business insight."
—Anne Ulyate, Group Manager Business Intelligence Mutual & Federal, South Africa

"BI is a highly visible element in the 'business value' trend for IT investments. Initiatives, such as competency centers, should empower user organizations to drive even more value out of their BI investments."
—Marianne Kolding, Director, European ServicesIDC, United Kingdom

Today's successful organizations use information as a resource implemented in their business culture and realize that having an authentic vision for business intelligence (BI) is the key to optimal business performance. Business Intelligence Competency Centers: A Team Approach to Maximizing Competitive Advantage will show you how to turn your organization's data into actionable knowledge through the business intelligence competency center (BICC)—your company's one true source of sustainable competitive advantage. The result? A vibrant organization that drives revenues, manages costs, and realizes a consistent level of profitability.

This practical guide employs a holistic approach that addresses critical organizational dimensions, such as human capital, knowledge processes, culture, and infrastructure, providing you with invaluable advice on how to:

• Use BICCs as the brain of your BI efforts
• Implement a comprehensive BI strategy that supports organizational goals
• Ensure that every business decision made in your organization is backed up by the correct information

Required reading for potential executive sponsors, IT managers, and the business units who will be setting up, manning, and receiving support from the BICC, Business Intelligence Competency Centers helps you set up your BICC effectively, covering strategic information from developing and updating your long-term BI vision to tactical issues like keeping up with software enhancements and providing user training.

Written by renowned experts in the field, this pragmatic guide includes insightful case studies of four companies that have implemented BICCs in South Africa, Belgium, and Italy. In addition, a companion Web site with checklists, job role descriptions, and other useful tools accompanies this book.

Gloria J. Miller, Vice President, Professional Services Division, SAS International, heads the international Professional Services Division at SAS, is the Executive Manager for the development of SAS Industry Intelligence Solutions, and is on the board of directors of SAS Global Services. Throughout her career of more than eighteen years in the information technology industry, Miller has received accolades for her skills in the management and delivery of IT systems and programs and in software development and support. She holds a master's degree in business administration from Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland, and a bachelor of science degree from Augusta State University in Augusta, Georgia.

Dagmar Bräutigam, Professional Services Program Manager, SAS International, has led the development of the Business Intelligence Competency Center Program and the Information Evolution Assessment Service. Based in Heidelberg, Germany, she is responsible for creating, developing, and rolling out SAS's education and consulting programs and services for the SAS Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia/Pacific regions. Bräutigam studied translation sciences in Heidelberg, London, and Geneva, and holds a degree from Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg.

Dr. Stefanie V. Gerlach, Senior Program Consultant, SAS International, has extensive experience in developing training programs for project teams and business users. She developed the Business Intelligence Competency Center initiative for SAS and is responsible for the Business Intelligence Competency Center Services for the SAS Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia/Pacific regions. Gerlach has studied political science, history, and Protestant theology in Heidelberg and Paris, and holds a PhD in political science from Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg. Gerlach also codeveloped a manual that describes training methods and how to implement and manage computer training.

SAS Institute (Cary, NC) is the market leader in providing a new generation of business intelligence software and services. SAS solutions are used at more than 40,000 sites, including ninety-six of the top 100 companies on the Fortune Global 500®. SAS has customers in 110 countries.