In this month's data visualization edition of the Business Intelligence Newsletter, my guest authors are providing some practical advice while I've waxed a bit theoretical. Zach and Chris Gemignani, founders of the business intelligence consultancy Juice Analytics, have written an article that showcases some interesting work that they've done using simple visualizations to provide companies with a quick way to assess what's going on with their customers. They call these simple, pint-sized visualizations "Customer Flashcards." Zach and Chris see themselves as representatives of the business intelligence counterculture, which is probably no surprise from fellows who named their company Juice Analytics.
My article this month shines the light on a deficiency in business intelligence (BI) software that is intimately connected to a deficiency in the skill set of many business intelligence users. I believe that we focus too much on software-specific training, ignoring the fact that people will never make good use of software if they don't already possess the conceptual knowledge (principles and practices) and skills that are needed to do the work. Good BI software doesn't turn someone who doesn't already know how to analyze and communicate data into a skilled BI professional. I believe that software should support this conceptual knowledge and the related skills by incorporating the best practices of data analysis and communication right into the software, thereby making it hard to make bad choices and easy and efficient to make good choices, all in a way that allows people to remain immersed in thinking about the data rather than in the mechanics of using the software.
Once again, I want to remind those of you who consider yourselves skilled in the visual communication of data to participate in the Business Intelligence Network's first annual data visualization competition, which I'll be judging. The deadline for submissions is July 14, so be sure to take a take a look at the instructions today.
Enjoy,
Customer Flashcards
by Zach and Chris Gemignani
Business intelligence needs to do more than examine current performance and historical trends; it needs to inform and illuminate the path ahead.
Software Support for Immersive Business Intelligence
by Stephen Few
Incorporating best practices of data analysis and communication into the software would result in better business intelligence.
Operational Performance Management: What Do I Need to Know About it Today?
June 14 at 12 p.m. ET
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Better, Faster Response – Turning Active Enterprise Intelligence Into Competitive Advantage
June 15 at 11 a.m. ET
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Free Insightful Web Casts
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Building Blocks to Evolving Your Analytic Practices
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Realizing the Value of Business Performance Management
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Ten Ways to Improve Data Warehouse Performance
Part 1 Building for Performance
June 27 at 1 p.m. ET
Join business intelligence expert Dr. Claudia Imhoff as she presents the key criteria for successful data warehouse initiatives.
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