If your company has recently implemented a business intelligence platform or is planning to do so in the future, you may be wondering what type of training your team may need. There are typically two types of business intelligence (BI) training. Which one you need depends on whether you are managing your BI platform in-house. In this article, you’ll find an overview of what, exactly, business intelligence training is, the two main types of BI training, and why they matter.
What is Business Intelligence Training?
Business intelligence training refers to the training of team members to properly use a business intelligence platform. It may also pertain to improving the skills of those who manage the business management platform. Business intelligence training may be provided by a qualified in-house individual or may be outsourced to certified instructors.
Business intelligence (BI) training is an important part of the change management process for the implementation of a new BI system. Training gives team members the tools and confidence to use the BI platform while also providing important communication and guidance to reinforce the change.
There are two main types of business intelligence training. The first focuses on the users of the platform and teaches the basics of utilizing the system and its reports. The second is for those managing the platform and teaches technical skills to more effectively maximize the platform’s resources.
Training for Use of Business Intelligence Software
The most universal type of business intelligence training is training team members to properly use the business intelligence platform. This type of training is typically included in most BI implementation roadmaps and often includes the following components:
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Basics of use and navigation of the business intelligence platform.
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“Best practices” for integrating the BI platform into existing company processes.
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Specific team- or member-based training for the functions that each individual will need to integrate the platform into their current role.
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Dashboard and analytics training for comfort and skill in using dashboards and running/interpreting reports.
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Capabilities training for stakeholders to understand how to maximize their business intelligence system.
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Administrative and support processes for administrative management, security measures, or technical support moving forward.
Without including structured training as part of the business intelligence platform implementation process, many businesses struggle to fully adopt and maximize the capabilities of the platform. Others may fail in the process altogether, with team members preferring to use previous systems with which they have higher comfort levels.
Expert Skills Training
For companies that manage their business intelligence platform in-house, expert skills training can be extremely helpful. This is where technical staff work with certified experts to increase their knowledge and comfort with the BI software. This is where individuals can master how to make the most of the business intelligence platform, including:
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Platform-specific tools & capabilities
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Dashboard creation & management
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Workflows & repeatable macros
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Creating ETL (Extract, Transform & Load) processes
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Data mining, preparation, management, & blending
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Data mapping
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Data visualization
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Building custom data transformations
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Predictive analytics functions
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Technology management
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SQL functions
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Server administration
This type of business intelligence training should be customized to fit your team’s existing skills as well as the needs and goals of your company. It’s also important to look for instructors certified in the specific platform your business is currently using or plans to use.
Look for business intelligence training that includes real-world examples and personalization that helps walk you through specific challenges or goals in your company’s system. This helps to ensure that the information is not only better retained but also conducive to your system and goals.
Why Should You Invest in Business Intelligence Training?
Business intelligence training is an important step in the implementation and maximization of your business intelligence platform. Each BI platform has different intricacies and requires certain skills to set up and run the platform effectively. With the help of a certified BI training expert, you reduce the learning curve, minimize mistakes or unnecessary steps, decrease frustration, and empower your team with the skills and knowledge to get the most out of your BI platform. At Data Meaning, we find that customers who invest in training consistently report a greater ROI on their investment.
Learn More
Would you like to learn more about how business intelligence training can help improve your confidence and ROI for your business intelligence platform? Click the button below to schedule a free strategy consultation with a Data Meaning expert.