Information Strategy & Program Development

IUI takes a pragmatic program-based approach, the IUI Incremental Approach, to deliver value from information. The IUI Incremental Approach is the “how – to” of successful EIM Governance Model implementation with the EIM Framework.

Planning

The IUI Incremental Approach begins with understanding the past and current challenges to plan the most effective solution. It is important to chart a course for use as a communication tool to align different components of the program. The planning effort is the development of a long range strategy for the implementation of the EIM program. It includes development of strategy, budget, methodology, organizational model, cost model, change management and program performance measures. The focus of planning after initial program formation is the strategic alignment of tactical projects.

Preparation

Preparation is the most important step in successful adoption of any program as it prepares the organization for the coming change enabled by the capabilities presented by EIM and BI. The organization must understand the new capability and be able to articulate information needs prior to the provision of information by the Competency Center. Communication and education are the most vital components of implementing a new program. This achieves “Grass Roots support for Change”. Preparation includes a communication plan, Proofs of Concept / Story Boards / Day in the Life examples, skill set assessment and remediation.

Information Architecture

Information Architecture is the technical component of the information lifecycle. It includes the process and technology to manage information from producer to consumer – data movement and integration practices. This component includes tool selection process and development of a business information model.

A guiding force in the information architecture is the Business Information Model. The model begins with subject areas, or major groups of interest. These subject areas are used to organize the business model and for assignment of data stewardship responsibilities. The business model describes relationships across the company.

Information Governance

Information Governance improves and maintains the quality of information. Business data ownership and data stewardship are at the core of information governance. Included in this component are data profiling, data governance methodology development, and data auditing configuration.

Information Delivery

Information Delivery is the provision of information to consumers. Consumers include internal and external constituents – internal business users and external stakeholders like customers or regulatory bodies. It is important that the BI capability deliver information on a steady cadence of delivery – new information is delivered every 90 days in a mature program. The information delivery plan is governed by the Roadmap through program governance mechanisms. This component includes training on the presentation tools and initial information use guidelines and procedures.

Information Use

Information use is the most complex and customized step of the IUI Incremental Approach. It involves changing information use so that fact based decision making becomes pervasive across all levels of the organization. This could be as simple as the development of real time dashboards to as complex as providing input to a lights-out just in time supply chain. It is important to understand that the value of the information asset is only realized if the information is used to improve a process or support an optimal, fact-based decision.

Information use begins by enabling simple comparative analysis across functional silos of the business in a transparent and consistent way. Dashboards and other data visualization tools are often employed. Later stages of Information Use begin to bring in concepts of data mining, forecasting and statistical analysis. It touches upon modelling different facets of the business in order to measure and optimize process and performance as a precursor to a performance management program.

Case Studies