MAY 2024CIOAPPLICATIONS.COM9So, the question becomes: `How do we rebuild that trust?' One answer is to start at the end - system reports.Rather than accepting reports that are manually generated from spreadsheets, leaders must insist that the source of truth is reports generated from `the system,' either directly from the ERP system or through centralized reporting/BI tools, such as SSRS, PowerBI, or Sisense, to name a few. However, simply making that declaration doesn't fix the problem. Since data was shifted away from the ERP system and into spreadsheets, these system reports will initially not be correct. So, the process begins of identifying where a system report is wrong, finding the data point that is missing or incorrect in the ERP system, and creating a process for it to be entered (following the 4 C's). This can be an arduous process, but the juice is worth the squeeze. As system-generated reports start to become reliable and trusted, letting go of spreadsheets and their maintenance can yield significant efficiency gains. As well, data quality will likely increase as there are significantly more eyes on the centralized data than on the plethora of individual spreadsheets. Having trusted data is well worth the effort, but getting there can require a significant organizational shift. To be successful: · Executive Support - one of the critical success factors for any project is support from the top. Leaders must make it a visible and well-communicated priority. · Timing ­ it will likely be a significant undertaking and there will never be a good time, so it's a matter of finding the best time.· Start Small - even one report at a time. It can be surprising how one change can positively impact other areas. · Pick your Battles ­ Know when to stop. Perfection is the enemy of good enough. Some spreadsheets will continue to exist, and that's ok. As Michael Porter famously said, "the essence of strategy is choosing what not to do." Rather than accepting reports that are manually generated from spreadsheets, leaders must insist that the source of truth is reports generated from `the system,' either directly from the ERP system or through centralized reporting/BI tools, such as SSRS, PowerBI, or Sisense, to name a few
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