ABSTRACT
Cost is an important perspective for a data warehouse: it can be traced over long periods of time, illustrating how fixed costs can become variable over time and vice versa, proving trend lines that can help business analysts’ with their long-term planning. If business analysts’ simplify Business Intelligence —and their know consultants just love that—then it all amounts to knowledge and insight in the dynamics of four subject areas or perspectives: cost, customers, competitors and competencies. Competencies are an even broader concept, present in all their processes, people, and systems. Business analysts’ human resources management system may manage a competence matrix, personal development plans linked to appraisal systems where the corporate objectives may be stated in general terms and in measurable performance indicators. However narrow the scope of their analysis may be, never skip this exploration phase to get the fundamental driving forces behind the organization’s success.
