Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
Business Managers
Managers responsible for the business groups who will be using the data
warehouse also have a role to play in the project. Business managers need to
have a clear understanding of the data-driven business requirement that their
group is facing. These managers need to get involved at the beginning and stay
involved throughout. This involvement is typically not very time consuming,
but it does require learning about the project and staying informed. Managers
need to know what a data warehouse is, be familiar with the overall vision for
the data warehouse, and understand what the goals are for individual data
warehouse projects.
Some of the staff members are likely to have larger roles in the project. At
a minimum, this group will be the recipient of the results of the project. The
business manager's staff will provide broad requirements, and help define
detailed formulas and rules for handling business data. This means that the
business manager needs to know what data will be available and what analyses
will be supported. One would expect to have this level of understanding of
any other departmental project on which people are working.
While senior staff sets the strategic direction and helps to get a data
warehouse project launched, the middle managers play a critical role in
keeping things moving. These are the people who allocate resources for all
of the work that needs to get done. The staff members who are representing
the business community on the project cannot be overloaded with other
responsibilities. Check with the staff to see if they feel that they have sufficient
time to devote to the data warehouse project. Review all of the things that they
have been asked to do, as many small requests can add up to more work than
any single person can complete.
In addition, take the time to ask the project manager or IT managers if
the partners assigned are doing what is expected for the data warehouse.
What else could the group do to help the project? Others may be hesitant
to ''get someone in trouble'' by expressing concerns about their availability
or participation on a project. By proactively asking, you are likely to get
honest feedback. Rarely is there intentional dereliction of duty, but simply too
much work, too little time, and no clear understanding of how things should
be prioritized. Consider strengthening the partnership focus by making the
goals of the project part of the individual's performance goals. This level of
interest and focus reinforces the messages from senior management about the
importance of the data warehouse.
NOTE
Lack of support from middle managers can reduce the effectiveness of
IT-business partnerships. Senior management may support the data warehouse,
and individual analysts often see the benefit, but time is not allocated by their
middle managers to work on the project. This gap in middle-management support
can cause all other partnership efforts to break down.
