Big Data

CONCLUSION

Big Data and analytics are revolutionizing our lives.

Like all revolutions there are going to be winners and losers. But it's not just as simple as saying that those that have the largest amounts of data will win and those that have little, won't. At the same time, the hype around Big Data simply increases the stress levels for many business leaders because they are already fully aware that they either don't have masses of data, or they do have masses of data but absolutely no idea what to do with it. The problem is that the data revolution is happening alongside business as usual and that can be extremely overwhelming.

SMART business is a solution that encourages us all to step back from the hype and the noise around data – especially Big Data – and take stock of where we are, where we are trying to get to and what data and tools we can employ to help us get there.

Don't start with the data. If you do you will find yourself lost in an impossible rabbit warren of options. Start with strategy, get really clear about what you need to know and why and link that back to your strategic and tactical objectives. Just by starting with strategy and not data you will immediately focus in on your really important data requirements and what's needed instead of being overwhelmed by what's possible.

Once you know what you are trying to achieve and you are clear on what SMART questions you need answered then investigate the metrics and data that could potentially deliver the answers. ...