Has Business Intelligence “Hit the Wall”?
Posted by Dave Kerr on Tue, Nov 30, 2010
Does the name Stephen Few ring a bell for you?
It should, if you are involved in business intelligence and/or data visualization. Few is an influential author on the subject of visual business intelligence – what he calls “data sense-making”.
He, like us at SpotOn, believes that the way a report is designed and its overall look play big roles in the report's ultimate success. It’s not good enough to simply offer up data to an end user. Reports must be both effectively designed and visually appealing. Effective design increases the likelihood that users will actually obtain the information they need, which will likewise increase the likelihood that the report will be used repeatedly to support sound business decisions.
After all, that is the value of Business Intelligence, right?
Over the years as BI vendors have showcased their latest and greatest new offerings, it’s been more about glitz and sizzle, which are misconstrued as visual appeal, than it is about actual report content. But think of it this way: when your boss is asking for the latest monthly or quarterly cost estimates, and you’re having trouble getting those numbers, just how irritating is a glitzy, animated, "chromed" report going to be if it's not getting you what you need?
Few is critical of the BI industry, claiming that it is has Hit the Wall. He has also been clear about the fundamental differences between effective and ineffective dashboard design. We agree with him when he says BI should be more “human-centric” as opposed to “technology-centric”.
What do you think?