How can you create a user-friendly business intelligence system for all stakeholders?

1 Know your users

The first step to creating a user-friendly BI system is to understand who your users are, what they need, and how they prefer to interact with data. You can use surveys, interviews, focus groups, or user personas to gather information about your users' goals, challenges, pain points, expectations, and preferences. You should also consider the different levels of data literacy, technical skills, and access rights among your users, and how to cater to their diverse needs.

2 Define your metrics

The next step is to define the key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics that will measure your organization's progress and performance. You should align your metrics with your strategic objectives, and ensure that they are relevant, meaningful, and actionable for your users. You should also avoid using too many or too complex metrics that can confuse or overwhelm your users. Instead, focus on the most important and impactful metrics that can provide clear and concise insights.

4 Design your interface

The fourth step is to design the user interface (UI) of your BI system, which is the visual and interactive layer that your users will see and interact with. You should follow the principles of user-centered design, which include simplicity, clarity, consistency, and feedback. You should also use colors, fonts, icons, and layouts that are appealing, intuitive, and easy to navigate. Moreover, you should use data visualization techniques that are appropriate for your data types, metrics, and messages.

5 Test your system

The fifth step is to test your BI system before launching it to your users. You should conduct usability testing, which is the process of evaluating how easy and satisfying it is for your users to use your BI system. You can use methods such as observation, interviews, questionnaires, or analytics to collect feedback from your users on their experience, satisfaction, and problems with your BI system. You should then use the feedback to identify and fix any issues or gaps in your BI system.

6 Train your users

The final step is to train your users on how to use your BI system effectively and efficiently. You should provide adequate and appropriate training materials, such as manuals, videos, tutorials, or webinars, that can help your users learn and master the features and functions of your BI system. You should also offer ongoing support and guidance, such as help desks, forums, or newsletters, that can answer your users' questions, address their concerns, or update them on new developments.