The Business IQ Framework

One of the most frustrating challenges for business leaders is their need for accurate information to support their decisions. They know the data to create the information they need (i.e. Information Quotient or IQ) is "within the corporation somewhere" and even then, the information will only be as good as the data it is derived from. Typically corporate data is disorganized, unclean, and lacks standard access protocols. Current information is hardly available and when it is, it lacks the analysis/preparation required for decision-making.

The mission to provide IQ begins at the "Data" level by gaining an understanding of enterprise data resources and creating source elements within structures designed for summarization and computation. It is critical to establish data warehousing strategies that address data cleansing and data management through the use of an Extract Transformation & Loading (ETL) tool. It is imperative to establish an appropriate Data Architecture with a clear understanding of how data needs to be assimilated and used within the enterprise.

At the "Applications" level, enterprise business functions are typically supported by an array of technical and application resources that are an amalgamation of systems (point solutions); many of which business requirements have surpassed. Much of the information produced is essential but an assessment is needed to determine the gaps and provide solution recommendations. This effort clearly defines the "need for IQ" to support effective decision-making. It also supports establishing an information architecture that models information flow within the enterprise.

The IQ Framework is a model of our approach to create the IQ required by business leaders based on their business function requirements and the enterprise resources. The "Integration" level defines procedures and protocols to allow uncompromising access to precise resource elements through integration standards (i.e. XML, web services, message queuing, etc.). All levels of the IQ Framework support creating IQ level strategies and solutions (Business Intelligence, Enterprise Architecture components, Knowledge Management, corporate performance, etc.) for effective management and decision-making.