BI Blueprint & Roadmap
Lack of a clearly defined strategic plan to meet the needs of the business along with misalignment between IT and business translates to delays in critical information flowing to the end user communities. A BI Blueprint and Roadmap establishes a unifying architecture and governance model within a cost-justified, phased roll-out framework.
In tracking to a multi-year roadmap, IT organizations decrease the rework and development cycle time, improve resource leverage, and improve business customer satisfaction. As the roadmap creates dialogue across lines of the business, issues inherent in operational systems can be addressed incrementally. Quality improves over time as these “multiple versions of the truth” are tackled.
The BI Blueprint and Roadmap is a proven methodology delivered across hundreds of engagements in many different industries.
Conducting the existing/“As Is” assessment
Fundamental to the BI Blueprint and Roadmap is a business-focused trajectory. Our first focus is to develop the vision and business objectives based on directives from C-level leaders and managers from the lines of business. We gather business and IT requirements and analyze current state, drawing upon industry analysis and best practices. We look at business process, data, architecture, governance, organizational and operational model, and technical infrastructure — six core dimensions that are tightly interrelated.
Very importantly, we do not conduct the work in a “black box” manner; rather, we validate the findings with the stakeholders as we go — ensuring no surprises.
Development of end-state/“To Be” model and design
Tailored and specified to what is desired and needed by the organization, the To Be end state may include new business process designs, new models of interacting with your clients, or new metrics to manage your business. It will describe the data and technical architecture required to implement the strategy and address the implementation of Data Quality and Governance. Depending on organizational needs, it may encompass the entire enterprise or just a particular function or area, and it will describe maintenance and support needs.
Sometimes we will conduct a Technology Audit to assess the ability of the technical infrastructure to support the proposed future state. This Audit follows the steps outlined for the BI Blueprint and Roadmap.
Gap analysis
The gap analysis tracks the differences and degree of mismatch between the current As Is and the desired To Be states. This analysis invokes industry best practices and examines the state of the competitive landscape.
Development of the value-based proposition
Each project must have clear financials and benefits associated with it. This approach supports the business case for change and clearly states the value proposition. It is clearly stated who benefits from the initiative and includes the financial impact of any organizational changes required. Metrics are both quantified and qualified so KPIs are spelled out and other benefits are quantified.
The BI Roadmap
The BI Roadmap shows the path to better decision making and leverage of information assets through a sequence of projects that move the organization from current to future state. Since the plan reflects the input of all the key stakeholders, buy-in is more real, and our change management mentoring supports continued commitment to the initiative.
Why Ajilitee BI Blueprints and Roadmaps work
At Ajilitee, we unite deep information expertise, proven methodology, consulting know-how, and grounding in the realities of internal organizational dynamics. We are pragmatic visionaries, and you can count on us to deliver realistic views on challenges, solutions, and opportunities. We bring world-class experience delivering information solutions in complex, high-performance environments like yours. And we serve as both partner and advocate to help you reach your goals because we know your success is our success.
