Extremely long implementations are treated as normal

Long business intelligence report implementation is usual

What happens very often becomes usual and what is very long during time became usual and normal. For example implementation of new module, software or business intelligence reports regular is to plan implementation in several years. It is weird to say data are ready within days because participants might look at you like looking at lunatic.

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/StefanG81 Stefan Gustafsson

Let’s analyze one example of company who had regular PL reporting per sales channel, per Business Units and or Profit Centers, per customer segments and even per shops. Data were not perfect becuase reports, were made in 5-6 months, had certain approximations and allocations of HQ costs according to keys. Those PLs gave pretty good picture what is profitable and what was not. But after some time management wanted improvement, engaged several consultancy companies, prepared investments and started to implement necessary changes in production systems on DWH, standard Business Intelligence layer and on Business Performance Management module.

One project was to implement better level of revenue details. Analysis showed that implementation according to definition cannot be applied in next 7 months because one production system will have major upgrade and then several months of data cleaning, stabilization and acceptance phases.

Not to go too far, but at the end what was planned to be done in 18 months at the end turned to be 30 months due to unpredicted system upgrade and influences from other projects . Company implemented in their SAP ERP systems necessary changes, modified general ledger functionality, changed processes, bought some new software. After 30 months managers for the first time received PLs per previously mentioned profit centers and other levels of details.

Is this normal? In context of permanent insecurity and permanent changes waiting for several years for first reporting outcomes from systems? Who has enough money to wait for information so long?

Unfortunately what is not normal now is totally normal. If you do not have a clue what we are talking about wait till we launch Total Controlling Concept info product.

Related posts, articles and documents:

• How to Start a Business Intelligence Project
• How to make Business Intelligence Masterpiece
• How to Make Specifications for Business Intelligence Reports
• Business Intelligence PDF