Maximising the value added by your information resources

people using information to bridge gaps between them

Why do this?

to have a reliable, consistent foundation for decision making
to outperform your competitors, and stay in front
the next step on from process improvement
to maximise the return on IT investment

What are we talking about?

managing information from a people perspective
delivering smaller amounts of more useful, fit-for-purpose information
ensuring ongoing alignment of information resources with business needs
maximising your return-on-investment in the quality of the underlying data
ensuring a common understanding between business people and IT people
designing a business-driven, cost-effective Web Portal or Business Intelligence System
building your ongoing organisational capability for information management
ensuring top management can take ownership of information management strategy
a low-cost, low-risk approach which delivers useful results quickly

Web Portal

In designing and implementing an Web Portal, many organisations have difficulty in:

sharing data and collaborating across organisational boundaries
implementing a business-driven solution, not a 'technology-push' solution.

Resolving organisational issues

It is often difficult for organisations to share information effectively, and to develop a culture of collaboration across organisational boundaries.

We have extensive experience in addressing these issues, and can tailor an approach to meet your specific needs within the context of your oraganisational culture.

We can help you to address organisational issues as part of developing an Web Portal, then advise on the most appropriate technologies to meet them.

Implementing a business-driven solution

Technology vendors sell their wares very actively, which can result in solutions that are driven by technology push rather than real business needs.

We often find that appropriate technologies are substantially simpler and less costly if a business-driven approach is taken rather than a technology-driven approach.

This is particularly the case because Web Portals usually combine technologies for managing and accessing documents, multi-media, and tabular data, and also require directory, classification, and collaboration services.

However, vendors have typically started with a successful core product in one of these areas, then added a 'Portal capability' to this successful core product. The result is often that the technology offered becomes poorer the further it departs from the original, successful core product offering.

Business Intelligence System

Many organisations have difficulty in ensuring that the business benefits gained from a business intelligence system exceed the cost of developing and operating the system.

This can happen because technology vendors sell their wares very actively, resulting in solutions that are driven by technology push rather than real business needs.

The problem is compounded because it is often difficult for executives, management, and staff to articulate, refine, and agree their requirements before deciding upon implementation technologies.

We can help clients to specify their requirements then advise on the most appropriate technologies to meet them.

We often find that appropriate technologies are substantially simpler and less costly than if a technology-driven approach is taken.

This is particularly the case where users need integrated access to documents as well as structured, tabular data, and where the business intelligence system is to be a vehicle for knowledge management.

What are examples of work that we have done?

Reviewed access to and storage of a major national data collection, and developed system, data, and organisational architectures for improving same, including evaluation criteria for business intelligence tools and associated data storage technology.
Developed system, data, and organisational architectures for an Intranet Portal, enabling substantially improved information access and work force collaboration nationwide. Developed an integrated suite of training courses for the new Intranet Portal including information mapping, knowledge management, and handling organisational barriers.
Specified a business intelligence system for a complex set of data collections, including a systems architecture, a data architecture, and performance indicators. Developed a number of 'break through' reports that enabled significant cost savings. Also developed evaluation criteria for business intelligence tools.
Developed a management information strategy or managing service delivery, including an implementation plan focusing on small projects each delivering well-defined and measurable business benefits. Built a 'Quick Wins' database to deliver short term business benefits and verify system design.
Prototyped an Intranet system for performance reporting and analysis for a major organisation. Ensured that executives would want to use the new system. Provided a data-driven design so that new performance indicators could be included without programming changes, with the system since being enhanced to include a balanced scorecard.
Reviewed the database administration function for a major organisation, making recommendations concerning the future role. Helped highly technical staff transition from a highly protected work environment to a more open and responsive one.

Where to next?

Please click for the Consulting Insights web site www.cinsights.com.au.