Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
software may resolve outstanding issues and provide additional functionality,
but if the current version of a tool does not meet the organization's needs, then
it may be worthwhile to survey the marketplace for other options.
Keep in mind that each tool has its own strengths and weaknesses. You
may be trading in a known set of weaknesses for the promise of a new set of
strengths without really understanding the new weaknesses. The cost to swap
tools may be greater than the potential benefit of the new tool. Moreover, there
are additional costs to retrain both technical and business users of a new tool;
and still other costs associated with converting applications and uses of the
existing tool.
RECOMMENDATION
Evaluate all aspects of the current data warehouse
environment, not just technology. Keep in mind that technology alone does not
address business, process, or data problems.
The bottom line? Evaluate and understand all aspects of a struggling data
warehouse before making drastic changes. Removing any single roadblock
may not yield the desired results, as multiple roadblocks may need to be
addressed with a comprehensive strategy.
Getting the Right People Involved
Once a data warehouse project is approved, the challenges of staffing the
project team begin. Unfortunately, the best resources to help are usually
already overbooked, so the available employees are assigned to the project.
These people are often lacking the necessary experience or skills needed.
The most successful data warehouse projects are filled with the most valuable
business and technical employees. These people have a lot of knowledge about
the company, how it works, where data is stored, and the secret handshakes
needed to gain access.
It is difficult to allocate these highly valued resources to a new project
because they often play an integral role in the daily functioning of the
business and other special initiatives, yet these are the people who help
resolve crisis after crisis. These resources must be allowed to participate in
the data warehouse project. By leveraging their knowledge and experience,
the existing data problems can be addressed, enabling the data warehouse to
serve as the foundation of the company's efforts to move forward.
Another common mistake is hiring new staff to fill the business and technical
roles. While adding new staff members is beneficial in the long run, this
can create a significant problem at first. New employees do not typically
know enough about how the business is run or what data is currently used.
Nonetheless, new employees do bring a wealth of ideas about what is possible,
