Business Analytics for Managers: Taking Business Intelligence beyond Reporting

Chapter 4. Business Analytics at the Analytical Level

This chapter describes the third level in the business analytics (BA) model that constitutes the underlying principle of this book. Chapters 1 and 2 explained the kinds of information an organization typically asks for at a strategic level, and which requirements for information this leads to at the department level.

In this chapter, we'll be taking a closer look at the different analytical methods that generate and deliver the required information and knowledge. We will not be discussing the technical aspects of a delivery, as this will be included in Chapter 5 about the data warehouse, but we will focus entirely on which methods can generate which types of decision support for the business.

The purpose of this chapter is to create a basis for dialogue between the company and the analyst. The chapter represents a menu that provides the company with an overview of which types of information and knowledge they can ask for and equally provides the analyst with an understanding of how the dish (the analytical method) is prepared and from which ingredients (data). To support this process, we have included an outline for a specification of requirements, so that you can gain an overview of which issues need to be covered in the dialogue.

The size of the menu is always debatable; the chef thinks he or she offers plenty of choice, while customers want to see as many dishes as possible. We have chosen a menu size that corresponds to what ...