Building an analysis ecosystem for a smarter approach tointelligenceKeith Carter's Actionable Intelligence: A Guide to DeliveringBusiness Results with Big Data Fast! is the comprehensive guideto achieving the dream that business intelligence practitionershave been chasing since the concept itself came into being. Writtenby an IT visionary with extensive global supply chain experienceand insight, this book describes what happens when team membershave accurate, reliable, usable, and timely information at theirfingertips. With a focus on leveraging big data, the book providesexpert guidance on developing an analytical ecosystem toeffectively manage, use the internal and external information todeliver business results.This book is written by an author who's been in the trenches forpeople who are in the trenches. It's for practitioners in the realworld, who know delivering results is easier said than done -fraught with failure, and difficult politics. A landscape wherereason and passion are needed to make a real difference.This book lays out the appropriate way to establish a culture offact-based decision making, innovation, forward lookingmeasurements, and appropriate high-speed governance. Readers willenable their organization to:* Answer strategic questions faster* Reduce data acquisition time and increase analysis time toimprove outcomes* Shift the focus to positive results rather than pastfailures* Expand opportunities by more effectively and thoughtfullyleveraging informationBig data makes big promises, but it cannot deliver without theright recipe of people, processes and technology in place. It'sabout choosing the right people, giving them the right tools, andtaking a thoughtful--rather than formulaic--approach.Actionable Intelligence provides expert guidance towardenvisioning, budgeting, implementing, and delivering realbenefits.

Preface xiAcknowledgments xviiIntroduction 1Chapter 1: Vision of Actionable Intelligence 5The Challenge at Hand 7The Big Data Lie 13Actionable Intelligence: The Road and the Destination 14Stages of Actionable Intelligence: Getting Ready for the Journey by Knowing Where You Are and Where to Go 22Are You Ready to Take the First Step? 26Summary and Considerations 29Notes 29Chapter 2: Discovery of the Business Situation (Business Discovery) 31Government Intelligence 34Ask the Questions 37Answer the Questions: Business Discovery 38Visual Consistency and the First Tool 42Off to the Races 45Summary and Considerations 45Notes 45Chapter 3: Creating a Foundation of Data 47Building the Foundation 48Benefits of Having the Right Data 49The Data Challenge 50Acquire Data in Four Consistent Steps 51The Byproduct: Master Data Management 61Data Management Issues in the Spotlight 63The Data Supply Chain 65Build the House 65Summary and Considerations 67Notes 68Chapter 4: Visualization 69Complete Circle 70So Now, How Can You Do It? 74The Way Ahead 77Example of Iterative Visualization to Solve the Question "How Do I Get There Quickly, Safely, Efficiently:" Leveraging Global Positioning System Data 77Effective Visualizations: Tell a Story to Your Mind 80Noticing Visualization Pitfalls 80Summary and Considerations 83Notes 83Chapter 5: The Initial Answers 85Attempting to Regularly Capture Benefits, False Starts, and a Rhythm 87The Results of Actionable Intelligence Delivered 87The Power of Quotes 89Possibilities with Actionable Intelligence 89Almost Done? 98Summary and Considerations 99Note 99Chapter 6: Time for Change 101Collaborative Business Planning 103Linking Collaboration to Actionable Intelligence 106Summary and Considerations 110Chapter 7: Governance: Funding Intelligence, Protecting the Results 111An Actionable Intelligence Governance Methodology 112Intelligence Budgeting 121Remember the Key Points of the UPS Story 122Governing the Use of Actionable Intelligence and Establishing Data Security 125Summary and Considerations 133Notes 133Chapter 8: Sustaining Delivery of Actionable Intelligence 135Leading Intelligence 136Quick Wins to Build Trust 140Hiring Done Right for Big Data with Big Data 145Training 148Business Cultural Change 149Communication 155Knowledge Lock-In 157What's Next? 159Summary and Considerations 161Notes 161Chapter 9: Tying It All Together 163Clifford Siegel's Journey at Lifetime Brands 163Starting the Right Way 165Finding the Right Pitch 166Developing a Mission and Strategy for Intelligence Capabilities 167TIE: The Intelligent Enterprise at STATS ChipPAC with Elizabeth Lim 170The Recipe to Greatness 174Summary and Considerations 179Notes 180Chapter 10: Next Frontiers 181A Healthier Lifestyle with Actionable Intelligence 183The Street-Smart Cabbies 184The Amplified Customer Experience 186Selling Better 187Serve Me Better . . . But Don't Intrude on My Private Life 188Getting Started 189The Starbucks Experience 190Summary and Considerations 191Notes 191Chapter 11: Epilogue 193Four Steps of Actionable Intelligence 195About the Author 197About the Contributors 199Index 201