We have enough intelligence, what we need is more wisdom. Perhaps a discussion on wisdom feels a bit esoteric for this forum, but I think it makes sense to understand a little bit more about wisdom, for a number of reasons:
* It is a humbling experience to experience that with all our analytical skills, we can't really define a term such as wisdom. Obviously there are limits to our business skills...
* Wouldn't many of us want to be seen as wise within our profession? That people turn to us for advice?
* But most important, with all the intelligence that systems are offering, we need guidance on how to use that. The goal of data is to provide information, information is the fuel for intelligence and knowledge, and wisdom provides guardrails for intelligence.

In the first article in this series, I introduce the topic of wisdom, and point out how hard it is to even define it. This first articles also miserably fails doing so, but there is a point to that.

In the second article, I will explain why we failed in our analysis, we simply used the wrong toolkit. Business analytical skills don't solve all problems.

Lastly, in the third article, I will show the business relevance of this whole discussion.

More wisdom, anyone?!

frank
(@FrankBuytendijk)

The current series of articles is on IT governance. It is going to be broader than BI governance (although that is certainly a major theme in most organizations), but about IT governance in general. Sometimes it is important to take a step back and see issues in their wider perspective.

Topics I cover in the first article include: Why is IT Governance such an important issue in most organizations? What is the task of senior management? How should budgets be managed? In fact, Plato commented elaborately on these issues.

Then, in the next article, we move to a second topic: Power. And who else to consult by Machiavelli? Decision-making is not always based on facts, and objective analysis. There are many more factors affecting strategic decisions. Why? How? Machiavelli contradicts Plato in a number of cases. The "kings" aren't philosophers at all... Machiavelli is supported by an even older philsopher and strategist: Sun Tzu. How is "The Art of War" related to governance?

In the third article, I'll reflect more on what Plato, Machiavelli and Sun Tzu had to say, and will relate governance to leadership and particularly organizational behavior. For those of you who know my work, you know this is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I'll turn to Confucius for some wisdom, and will describe not only how to govern, but focus on a topic equally important: how to *be* governed. We arrive in the philosophical twentieth century, where I discovered a school of thought that I feel somewhat connected with: communitarianism. No, that is not like communism, but is in short a view on the world in which we don't look "up" for problems to be solved, but look at our peer group. Enterprise 2.0!

Let me know what you think...

frank
@FrankBuytendijk

In information management, professionals have tried to create a single version of the truth for tens of years - with little success. Not for the lack of trying. At some point you need to ask yourself if "keep trying and wait for better circumstances" is the best approach. Perhaps it is better to ask yourself a few more fundamental questions, like "are we trying to solve the right problem?" and "are we on the right track with the way we try to achieve this?"

In this series I return to a subject that I wrote a lot about in the last twenty years, most prominently in my book "Performance Leadership": The Myth Of The One Version of the Truth".

Usually my series of articles consist of three or four pieces, this time it is shorter. 2 parts only.

Part 1 will provide, as you are accustomed to by now, the philosophical basis for the debate. With a few broad strokes, I'll discuss what Confucius, Plato and the postmodernists might have to say about create the one version of the truth.

Part 2 presents a solution to the problem that is so simple and straightforward, that you may even find it hard to believe. Still, it works. Try it!

Let me know what you think,

frank
Twitter: @FrankBuytendijk

(Follow me on Twitter: @FrankBuytendijk)

Data governance is still a big issue. Within organizations certainly, but that is actually the easy bit. Data governance in the public sector, affecting the privacy of citizens, is a much bigger issue. The public sector is discovering business intelligence, but is lagging behind in setting the rules for using it. I read about methodological discussions, legal arguments, and -- of course -- the endless capabilities of technologies.

But what about the ethical issues? What is "right" and what is "wrong"?

The next series of articles will discuss the ethics of data governance. In the public sector, and also in commercial enterprise.

In Part 1, I discuss the dangers of not taking care of data governance very well. "Big Brother", gloom and doom indeed.

Unrealistic? Wait until you read Part 2, describing the case of a European police force using bidirectional TomTom data to plan speed traps. Ethical or not?

Part 3 looks at the various options on data ownership, based on the shifting balance between privacy and security.

Part 4 starts with some hints on how to organize data governance, but slightly derails towards the end in tips and tricks on how to cheat the system.

As with all series of articles, the point of view is a philosophical one. John Locke already described the balance between the right on life, liberty and property; and the need for a social contract at the same time. Me? I take more of a communitarian view. I find it scary that we look at authorities to check on all of us, out of fear what others might do to us. When I was 15 years old, my parents let me go to the lake all day with my friends, knowing there would always be grown-ups around. Would I feel comfortable today with my 15-year old going there without mobile phone and so on? I am not sure. Community thinking has moved from real-life to the on-line world. And we should find a way to mix community-thinking between the real world and the on-line world.

frank

Need your help. I need a title for my new book. It will be a collection of essays that have a common theme: how the old philosophers would have looked at modern themes in business and IT. Should it be called:
- The Plato App
- The Machiavellian CIO (has been used before)
- Tech-know-logy
- iThink, therefore iAm
- ...

And what should the subtitle be?
- A practical and philosophical guide to the world of IT
- Philosophy in Action
- How the old philosophers would have looked at modern themes in business and IT
- ...

Please help me with your ideas!

frank

P.S. And follow me on Twitter @FrankBuytendijk