Have you ever wondered why each year in December we hear new BI predictions and trends for the following year? Should you invest your time and energy to listen and believe in them? After being in the BI market for over 20 years now, I have become more skeptical than optimistic about much of this hoopla. While these prognostications might sound appealing, you should clearly examine the sources of information. If they come from a technology vendor executive, do they result in pushing their company’s agenda? If they come from a consulting firm, is it helping to market their services? Don’t allow these predictions and trends to limit your perspective -  yes, Business Intelligence has become more complex, but the opportunities for what it can do for your business are endless.

Sure, I could be creative and come up with “Ventana Research’s Top 10 BI Predictions and Trends of 2008” but I honestly do not believe it would help you. After many years of conducting BI research across thousands of organizations, and examining the IT and different line of business needs, I can assure you it is not that simple. A strong cup of caffeinated coffee and a mirror in front of your organization would be a better recommendation. Understanding your reality and accepting the fact that you might be trailing your competitors in using information from BI is a good first step.

So, instead of offering BI predictions or trends for 2008, let me provide you with some timeless facts.. The technology suppliers will continue to consolidate, there will always be new suppliers that provide a faster, better, newer and cheaper approach and there are always places you and your organization can improve dramatically by applying BI better. Most importantly: Are you able to help lead your organization forward with BI or are you willing to accept what you did last year as the best viable option for the future? With these simple observations, I hope you find this year to be the one that exceeds your expectations and that you can leverage BI to advance your opportunity to effectively manage performance.

Let me know your thoughts or come and collaborate with me on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Regards,

Mark Smith
CEO & EVP Research