Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
performance are all business reasons that explain the need for gathering data
and generating a report, in contrast to a demand to ''give me the numbers.''
These clearly defined business requirements also tend to stand the test
of time. The specific data elements may change, but the need to monitor
competitor performance will always be important. These requirements also
remain fairly constant unless an organization completely changes business
industry.
REFERENCE
Chapter 6 provides more details about how to collect, under-
stand, and communicate business requirements.
Shifting to a Global Perspective
Many organizations structure their employee performance expectations and
goals on the results of that specific group. This creates an environment
where the staff members look out for their own interests, sometimes at the
expense of the greater good. This culture makes it more difficult to suc-
cessfully implement a data warehouse. The ability to shift the emphasis
to a more global perspective increases the success of the data warehouse.
Rewarding and encouraging employees, business or technical, who are
looking for opportunities to collaborate, leverage, and integrate across the
organization is important. The larger the organization, the more challenging
this can be.
High-level managers need to look for a balance between individual depart-
ment goals and enterprise goals. This is done to set priorities and direction for
the organization, and happens annually during the budgeting process. This
same thought process can be applied to the data warehouse environment.
Looking for the largest benefit for the most number of people across the orga-
nization can determine what data is loaded is loaded first and which reports
are developed. This broad perspective is also needed to create standard data
definitions and calculations.
SUCCESS TIPS: ENCOURAGING AN ENTERPRISE VIEWPOINT
It may be necessary to modify individual job descriptions and annual perfor-
mance goals to encourage behavior that is beneficial across the enterprise.
Reward employees who fight for the greater good. Many individual contributors
on a data warehouse project can recognize myopic decisions, but there may not
be a way to raise these issues. Strive to provide a mechanism for raising con-
cerns and identifying problems without fears about retribution. This can open
up a dialogue that improves the decision-making process and encourages tak-
ing broader requirements or benefits into consideration.
