Business Intelligence Applied: Implementing an Effective Information and Communications Technology Infrastructure

Business Processes in an Organizational Context

Organizations consist of departments, and business processes often cut across those departments. The process nature of business can be seen within the value chain. Today, virtually all business processes are supported by an ICT infrastructure. It is important for the business analyst to be able to identify these processes and make recommendations about which technology can best be used to enhance the organization. To do that job, the business analyst must understand how to break the organization into smaller units, so he or she can make the right recommendations.

Existing Infrastructure versus New Infrastructure

Distinct advantages can come from creating a new ICT infrastructure within an organization. It is true that changing business processes that already exist presents unique challenges over the creation of new processes and infrastructure. The business analyst must approach both issues, however, from the same vantage point: business strategy. But he or she may need to incorporate different levers for each situation. In fact, it is important for the business analyst to sense the ongoing environment, whether building a technology infrastructure for new processes or using that infrastructure to change existing processes. In each case, the business analyst must be astute enough to determine what is necessary for the ICT implementation or changes to succeed.

FedEx and UPS offer two outstanding examples of new versus existing implementation. ...