With all of the talk about Big Data and Advanced Analytics, many companies are under the false impression that if they purchase a software package or invest in hardware, that will be all they need to be successful. In fact, many companies are finding that they are not seeing the return on investment they had expected. The problem is that deploying an analytic tool is easy. Understanding how the data might be used is less clear. There are a couple things to consider on why your Analytics Software Deployments Fail:
1. Not Aligning the Correct Resources
Who is deploying your Advanced Analytic applications? Is it IT, or the business? The correct answer should be both. Lodestar Solutions encourages a team consisting of IT people who understand the data and the business as well as business people who are comfortable thinking outside of the box. Typically, you want a motivated business person who is analytical. I don’t believe you can teach people to be analytical. As your organization moves to rely more on analytics, this is a skill set you might want to assess more in your hiring.
2. Not Knowing all the Software has to Offer
All software has its limits, and typically, a hundred ways to accomplish the same thing. Working with a partner who knows all the options the software provides will help you focus on the end result. The biggest risk factor is usually the quality of the data. To get rapid results, you may need to plan for temporary solutions. Your job is to provide the experience of your business. Your implementation partner may have to be MacGuyver and leverage areas of the software you never knew existed. Sure there are best practices, but I doubt you have unlimited time, money and resources. Be realistic about the risks, and you will set proper expectation for success.
3. Organizations don’t Encourage Stepping out of the Box
It’s time to step out of the comfort zone and try new things. Asking questions of the data that may have never been asked before can result in interesting findings. Many organizations don’t encourage people to push the boundaries. Creating a culture in which being inquisitive and learning is encouraged will help the organization increase the benefits of Analytics.
4. Focus on Solving Deployment and Not the Business Problem
Many IT projects are so focused on budget and timelines they lose focus on the real goal. Business Analytics is about relating the behavior of people and businesses to what you have to offer the clients. Behaviors are dynamic, and therefore, sometimes during implementations we discover there’s a more effective way that was not foreseeable. This can result in delays in projects, but a constant examination of the ROI of solving the business problem as opposed to focusing on the original timeline and budget, can lead to better than expected results.
Lodestar Solutions encourages you to work with a partner who understands the technology and has the ability to work well with your business group to interpret the results.  Call us for more information 813-254-2040.
Here’s an interesting article we recommend you read from Harvard Business Review on why Analytics software deployments fail: