"Interfacing Business Intelligence with Enterprise Project Management"
Before the rise of the information age, most project decisions were based on guess work and trial and error practices. With the advent of project management systems, businesses are now empowered with project data and information analysis for informed decision making. The technology and processes that make this analysis possible involve data for planning, reporting and monitoring of projects. These systems and methods have evolved to what is known by the broader term "Business Intelligence"
To explore on the concept of Business Intelligence and how it can be achieved with Enterprise Project Management Solution, AstroWix held its monthly meet PM Insight Lecture series on 9th May, 2009, at USI of India, New Delhi. The theme for the event "Interfacing Business Intelligence with Enterprise Project Management" introduced professionals with Business Intelligence and how Enterprise Project Management System helps align work and people with business priorities to effectively manage ad-hoc projects to complex programs.
The session was attended by project management practitioners and addressed by notable industry veterans. Mr. Alok Kumar, National Head, Aircel was the chief guest at the event and introduced BI to the audience and reflected on how it is relevant for project management. Mr. Shailendra Jain, Head Strategy Business, Oracle Services presented a lecture on "Interfacing Business Intelligence with Enterprise Project Management". His session was an extremely interactive and enlightening, presenting the audience with a practical aspect of Business Intelligence in organizations. Moreover, he focused on the role of hierarchy in an organization and the significant role it plays for the implementation of BI. A case study on Project PACE was presented by Commander Anil Saxena, Head of IT Projects, Reliance Communication Ltd. The case study showcased the implementation of BI from the perspective of IT personnel and the problems faced due to inadequate team members and lack of support from various business groups within the organization.
The event proved to be an illuminative session for the professionals on how BI helps organizations gain visibility, insight and control across all work, enhancing decision-making, improving alignment with business strategy, maximizing resource utilization, and measuring and helping to increase operational efficiency. This session also saw Col Atul Chaudhary, Project Manager at Bell Canada presenting his viewpoint on BI from a non IT user’s perspective. The event concluded with Mr. Jatin Sukhija providing with some useful tips on MS Excel, which was highly appreciated by the audience.
Key Takeaways
• Mr. Alok Kumar introduced BI to the present audience and reflected on how it is relevant for project management.
• Mr. Shailendra Jain presented an extremely interactive and enlightening session. He provided the audience with a practical aspect of BI in organizations. In his presentation he also elaborated on how hierarchy in an organization plays a significant role for the implementation of BI.
• Mr. Anil Saxena presented a very informative case study on Project PACE. Through the case study he showcased the implementation of BI from the perspective of IT personnel and the problems faced due to inadequate team members and lack of support from various business groups within the organization. He further emphasized on how the support and buy in of business heads is equally important in the implementation to the support and conviction of the top management.
