In this article, I want to make the case for data-driven planning to describe the 7 key FP&A models that every organisation needs to plan, resource and monitor business performance. From a planning and review perspective, there are 7 key things that management needs to know about its business processes, each of which can be assessed in a range of analytical models.

There is no point on aimlessly analysing data in the hope that something will jump out at you.  It won’t and all that you will do is waste vast quantities of time and effort.  Like any search, there must be an objective and a plan to reach that objective.  This is where a mature approach to analytics comes in. The author reveals a mature approach to data analysis that includes 4 stages.

Too often software evaluations are restricted to features and functions. It’s like evaluating a car by looking at individual components but without seeing if they all work together to meet your needs. So next time you are tempted to view a demonstration, make sure you’re prepared with questions that will help you to assess the true business value of the solution. 

‘Business Analytics’ is often portrayed as the latest miracle cure for managers wanting to improve corporate performance. But like most IT-based capabilities, the hype is often in the realms of fantasy, which can never be realised. However, analytics is a capability that can bring tremendous value to those organisations who understand how and when it can be applied.