Change Management with Power BI: Maximize the value of analytics
One of the most common questions I am asked by companies embracing digital transformation is how they should handle change management as they expand our analytics footprint. My clients often have strategic objectives around data-based decision making, lightening the load of mundane tasks on employees, and getting more value out of existing technology and processes, but are worried about adopting analytics tools company-wide just for their well-crafted dashboards to go unused. Proper change management can help organizations achieve these objectives with less time, less money, and less headaches for both management and front-line employees.
Change management with analytics is all about helping organizations successfully adopt and maximize the value from data analytics and visualization tools in their solution — usually Power BI in the case of my clients. Power BI can provide businesses with valuable insights into their operations and help them make better, more informed decisions. However, for businesses to get the most value out of Power BI, it’s important to manage the change process effectively and maximize adoption.
One key aspect of successful change management with analytics is effective communication. It’s important to clearly communicate the benefits of using Power BI to all stakeholders, including employees, managers, and executives. This can help build support for the project and ensure that everyone is on board with the changes that are being implemented.
Another important aspect of change management with analytics is training and support. It’s important to provide employees with the training and support they need to effectively use the tool. This can include things like training workshops, online tutorials, and access to a support team or a Center of Excellence that can guide the organization’s development and governance while helping with any questions or issues that arise.
Another key aspect of successful change management with analytics is the involvement of key stakeholders. It’s important to involve stakeholders in the planning and implementation process, and to listen to their feedback and suggestions. This can help ensure that the change management process is aligned with the needs and goals of the organization, and that the final solution meets the needs of all stakeholders.
One way to maximize adoption and get the most value out of Power BI is to focus on specific business problems or opportunities. For example, an organization might use Power BI to improve its supply chain management, or to gain insights into customer behavior. In larger organizations, analytics teams may gain insight into potential use cases by shooting out a survey to gather pain points from individual teams. The responses can be ranked by solutioning difficulty and time/value to find “low hanging fruit” that otherwise may have stayed hidden. By focusing on specific business problems or opportunities, organizations can create targeted solutions that are more likely to be successful and generate value.
Another way to maximize adoption and get the most value out of Power BI is to start small and build gradually. Instead of trying to implement a complex, comprehensive solution all at once, it can be more effective to start with a small pilot project and then expand the use of Power BI as it proves its value. This can help organizations build momentum and get more stakeholders on board, ultimately leading to more successful and valuable implementations.
Overall, change management with analytics is all about helping organizations maximize the value they get from analytics tools to meet their organization’s strategic objectives. By effectively communicating the benefits of Power BI, providing training and support, involving key stakeholders, focusing on specific business problems or opportunities, and starting small and building gradually, organizations can maximize adoption and take one of the most rewarding steps in their digital transformation journey.
