You’re a management consultant. What business intelligence tools should you be using?

I would highly recommend that before a tool selection is undertaken there should be a clear understanding and definition of Insights that are expected. Tool selection will depend on the business outcomes and needs as well as technical environment of Client's operations. While Microsoft BI can suffice for most common use cases other vendors also offer powerful tools in this space. Lastly, tools' ability to leverage GenAI capability to enhance those insights would be another suggestion that I would add.

As a management consultant, harnessing business intelligence is crucial. Embrace tools like Tableau for data visualization, enabling insightful analysis. Power BI aids in transforming raw data into actionable insights, enhancing decision-making. Additionally, leveraging Google Analytics provides valuable insights into online strategies. These BI tools empower me to deliver strategic recommendations, ensuring clients make informed decisions for sustainable success. #BusinessIntelligence #ConsultingTools #StrategicInsights

In my experience, over 80% of consultants' data analysis tasks can be solved with the good old MS Excel, thanks to its unmatched flexibility and adoption. For the residual use cases, you need to find a specific tool—depending on whether you want to perform a one-time analysis, establish regular reporting, or if it's more about data cleansing or qualitative understanding. When it comes to analyzing numbers, I would be very cautious about trusting Generative AI solutions.

Mais importante do que coletar, consolidar, organizar e exibir dados de múltiplas fontes é saber elaborar as hipóteses e perguntas corretas e, só ent?o, mergulhar nos dados em busca das respostas. é cada vez mais comum encontrarmos clientes "afogados" em gigantescos data lakes sem saber exatamente o que est?o buscando descobrir.

In my experience, as a management consultant, I have found Tableau, Qlik, Power BI to be an invaluable tools for conducting thorough analyses, particularly when delving into sales performance. The data visualization capabilities of these tools enable to create interactive dashboards that vividly portray sales trends, revenue growth, and product performance. Its geospatial analysis features prove crucial when showcasing regional sales performance, allowing for pinpointing high-impact areas and tailoring strategies accordingly. Overall, these tools have consistently proven to be an indispensable ally in delivering comprehensive, visually compelling analyses that empower clients to make informed strategic decisions.

The best BI solutions I have come across offer a single-screen display as customizable dashboards. It should reflect changes in real time and allow you to create customized displays of metrics that includes features such as drop-down menus, search filters and slicers, as well as the ability to drill down into details and save data summaries.

Consultants spent most time in three core tasks: 1. Research 2. Analysis 3. Documentation The business model of the company defines the weight of each of the above parameters. Identification and shortlisting of the tool should be based on the right mix of activities. Then evaluate usual suspects like vendor support, quality of experience, feature set and cost etc. to select the product.

Iconoclastic thought: None. if the IS were correctly architected upstream and the metrics defined at the level of business objects during their modeling, BI would have no reason to exist. it is only a problem to compensate for the lack of upstream thinking when creating or redesigning an information system. The IT industry, including the French one, is disturbingly immature. Fortunately, Airbus, Ariane Espace, PSA, Renault and all the other major manufacturers have more structured approaches and reliable methods, otherwise we would have to be wary of what could fall from the sky!

Categorising features in 3 key layer has helped me to understand the tool better, Connectivity for Data: Explore the out-of-the-box (OOB) connectivity options available. Data Prep: Examine the in-build and custom capability for preparing data and algorithms for analysis and understand how the prepared data can be shared with other users. Data Consumption: type of visualizations (charts, geo-spatial, time-series view etc) and data sharing options (ppt integration, data extracts, auto-email etc).

I think that BI tools should not be limited on quantitative techniques that focus mainly on past data. BI tools should include qualitative analysis based on researches, analysis and reports published by reputable organizations. BI should benefit from strategic tools that bring together the macro and micro environments e.g. SWOT, Global and local value chain, Porter 5, etc. BI should provide a future outlook based on possible Scenarios for the interactions between the macro economical and business level and our business

When choosing a Business Intelligence (BI) tool, consultants should consider client-specific needs and industry requirements, ensuring data compatibility and integration with existing systems. Ease of use, scalability, and effective visualization and reporting features are crucial. Budget constraints play a significant role, as does the tool's ability to facilitate collaboration and sharing. Customization options, adherence to security and compliance standards, and strong support and community presence are also key factors. Ultimately, the chosen BI tool should align with both the consultant's and their client's requirements, offering a balance between advanced features and user-friendliness.

I suggest considering the business need of the client first when recommending Business Intelligence tools. I recommend tools that are in-house unless the ability to deliver with current tools does not exist. It is not so simple to recommend a top tool like Tableau or many others until you look at the enterprise architecture of the org. along with the technical ability to deliver. Start with business Goals and Objects in order to define metrics and KPI’s. Finer data level requirements would follow along with processes for cleaning data. Finally understand stakeholder preferences such as dashboards, reports, and self-service tools. In addition to the BI tool consider looking at imbedded or integrated BI within core Business applications.

BI tools are only beneficial if companies have a solid understanding and plan around 3 specific topics. 1) What is the data being supplied and ingested (is it reliable, clean, and readily available)? 2) Is your team equipped with the knowledge to intentionally design the tool to leverage its key functional capabilities and benefits? 3) Does your team have the internal bandwidth to support the implementation of the tool and continued enhancements to the tool over time? Prior to choosing any particular tool, take the time to properly assess these areas and it will pay dividends in your search for a tool and partner to assist your business requirements and needs.

Selecting the right BI tool depends on several factors: compatibility with existing systems, scalability to grow with your business, ease of use to ensure widespread adoption, and specific features relevant to your industry's challenges. Consider the tool's ability to integrate varied data sources and its support for real-time analytics. Prioritize solutions that offer robust security features, especially when handling sensitive financial data. Engaging stakeholders from IT, cybersecurity, and business units in the decision-making process ensures the selected tool meets cross-functional needs, aligning with your expertise in resilience, cybersecurity, and business continuity management.

It is essential to acknowledge that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, underlining the imperative of tailoring BI tool choices to the unique requirements of each project. Key considerations encompass the evaluation of data sources, skills, goals, and budget in conjunction with the distinctive demands of the project at hand. Also, understanding the broader implications of BI tool adoption is crucial, taking into account factors like installation, maintenance, updates, and integrations. Drawing from my experience, the effectiveness of BI tool choices is contingent upon their alignment with both personal and client requirements, achieving a harmonious equilibrium between advanced features and user-friendliness.

Mi lista corta de herramientas: - Power BI (Microsoft): Ofrece una plataforma completa con conectividad de datos, transformación, análisis, visualización, narración y uso compartido. Se integra bien con otros productos de Microsoft como Excel, SharePoint y Teams. - Tableau: Especializada en visualización de datos y narración de historias. Cuenta con una gran comunidad de usuarios y expertos que proporcionan recursos, consejos y mejores prácticas. - Qlik: Centrada en el descubrimiento y la exploración de datos con características como conectividad de datos, transformación, análisis, visualización, narración de historias y uso compartido. Su motor asociativo único permite ver relaciones y patrones entre los datos.

I appreciate the smooth integration of tools, such as constructing an Azure data lake, connecting Data Bricks, and then funneling everything into PowerBi, despite the design limitations. We incorporate these elements into our data analytics workbench, enhancing it with additional features like website embedding, PDF integration, and more. Our platform is built around a global suite of data analytics tools, empowering users to select and integrate tools according to their workflow design preferences. This significant advancement has encouraged many employees to embrace data analytics for decision support and management assistance.

Tableau excels in data visualization, while Microsoft Power BI is ideal for those embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem. QlikView and Qlik Sense are strong in data integration and exploration, whereas SAS Business Intelligence is favored for advanced analytics. Google Data Studio is excellent for those reliant on Google services, and Looker (part of Google Cloud) is user-friendly for data modeling. Domo provides real-time visualization and collaboration, IBM Cognos is suitable for large-scale data environments, Sisense handles large datasets with ease, and TIBCO Spotfire is known for advanced analytics and visualizations. Each tool offers unique strengths, catering to different aspects of data analysis and visualization.

My short list is the following: Tableau: Intuitive visualization and analytics, great for client presentations. Power BI: Microsoft's tool for data integration, analysis, and reporting. QlikView/Qlik Sense: Data discovery and user-driven BI. also, Excel and Google Data Studio provide also capabilities if the amount of data is not very big.

As a management consultant, consider using the following business intelligence tools: Tableau: For interactive data visualization and analytics. Power BI: Microsoft's tool for data analysis and reporting. Looker: Offering a platform for exploring and sharing business insights. QlikView/Qlik Sense: Providing associative data modeling and visualization. Domo: All-in-one platform for business intelligence and data visualization. Choose tools based on client needs, data sources, and integration capabilities.

As a management consultant, it's crucial to leverage effective business intelligence (BI) tools to enhance decision-making and provide valuable insights to clients: *Tableau and Power BI *QlikView and Qlik Sense *Looker *Sisense *Domo *Google Data Studio *IBM Cognos Analytics The choice of BI tools should align with client requirements, considering factors such as ease of use, scalability, integration capabilities, and cost. Staying updated on emerging BI trends ensures consultants deliver cutting-edge solutions for optimal client outcomes.

An interesting difference a between BI consultant and a functional BA / technical business analyst, is that the BI consultant has more experience in data analysis, whereas a business analyst tends to focus on the overall operations. Just to make it simplified, BI Consultant can fall under the umbrella, technical consultant / technical BA . It all depends on the clients or the project particular requirements, and the duration, for which the consultant to be required for . In summary, the business intelligence consultants play key role in companies gliding through the intricate world of data-driven performance and decision-making..

There is not much to pay attention for. Put the consumer of your analytics into the heart of everything you do and do not forget the data analyst that has to work with all that.

Are there tutorials and training courses? Especially for enterprise reporting tools, it is important to offer different types of tech and user support to help different members internally and external clients.