Mainstream BI: Are We There Yet?

BI Scorecard has just published the 2009 Successful BI Survey results. You can see a free preview here (click on "2009 Successful BI Survey Highlights" - registration required). Unfortunately, usage and success rates haven't improved since 2007 when we first ran the survey as part of research for my book.The survey did find some bright spots though (depending if you are a glass half empty or half-full kind of person). Executive-level sponsorship is up, with 85% having that support. If you work for one of those companies in the 15% bracket, then your failure rate is higher. In this economy, if your executives still don't see the value of BI, maybe it would be a good time for you to look for a BI job elsewhere. Yes, I'm serious, because that is the other bright spot; with the economic down turn, 78% said that the recession has made BI more important, as companies must make smarter decisions, faster. If you are one of those hybrid business-IT people, you are even more important -- more valued and in more demand.

Among the negative findings, the degree that BI has contributed significantly to a company's performance is down 7% from 2007, with only 25% of companies reporting this high degree of business impact. I think some of this decline is a reflection of the reality and frustration that, amidst a global recession, BI couldn't and can't save us from making bad decisions, even when there is good data and intuitive tools.

Following the 2007 survey and given my work in evaluating BI tools, many of you asked me to relate usage, success rates, and impact to particular BI vendors. So we did add those dimensions to this year's survey. The results surprised even me and are available in the full report (purchase required).

On a related note, if you will happen to be in New York on Wednesday, be sure to visit with me at the next TDWI chapter meeting there.

Regards, Cindi Howson, BI ScorecardBI Scorecard has just published the 2009 Successful BI Survey results. Unfortunately, usage and success rates haven't improved since 2007, when we first ran the survey, though the survey did uncover some bright spots...