Enterprise Architecture at BiZZdesign in 2014

The beginning of the year is always a good time to look ahead at the trends in your profession. In enterprise architecture, the predominant trend is the need to provide business value, and do it now. Companies in general understand the need for archit…

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Business Architect’s Resource Survey – Last Chance

This survey is now closed. Information coming soon.   How do you learn about business architecture? Our survey on business architecture education resources is closing on Feb 5th. All participants will receive the research report detailing our findings of what sources business architects find most valuable in learning more about their profession. For free copy […]

There is no architecture. Only mirrors

Do away with architectural models. What we need to see is the essence of architecture, which is something we realise in software: a mirror of the enterprise. The idea is not new. It has always been surprising (and, to be honest, somewhat frustrating) that is hasn’t been picked up as I thought it would. And […]

Efficient versus effective

What is ‘efficiency’? – in particular, ‘efficiency’ in any system that’s subject to real-world variances? Starting-point for this one was yet another passing item in my Twitterstream: RT @MentalHealthCop: If providers are contractually obliged to run hospitals at 98% capacity, is

Data: Bigger Doesn’t Always Mean Better

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Ben Geller, VP Marketing, Troux

bigger isnt better 012814 (2)No doubt about it, Big Data is big business.  Big Data has certainly captured the imagination and wallets of business executives everywhere.  In fact, Gartner estimates that Big Data drove $34 billion in worldwide IT spending last year.*  With that kind of money being spent, it’s probably safe to say Big Data is a big deal.

That said, I’m sure you are familiar with all of the old adages about BIG versus LITTLE.  You know the sayings… “Less is sometimes more,” “Good things come in small packages,” or even “A little bit goes a long way.”   These time-tested sayings hold a lot of truth – even when it comes to data.

I have to admit, I find the current attraction to Big Data kind of amusing – here’s why.  One of the most common red flags raised when I talk to industry professionals about our Enterprise Portfolio Management (EPM) solution is concern about the difficulty associated with gathering ALL that data.  After all, data collection is hard and time-consuming.  Most companies have a tough enough time figuring out where the data lives, much less how to gather it in a meaningful way.  So why is Big Data so big?  And is bigger always better when it comes to data that impacts your decision making processes? 

Despite all the buzz around Big Data, it’s essential to understand that answering some of the business’ most important questions actually doesn’t require a lot of data.  In fact, I would venture to say the answers to some of the most important questions only require “just enough data.”  Using Troux’s EPM solutions “just enough data” can provide the insights needed to ensure the enterprise is correctly architected to maximize revenues, reduce costs and increase competitive agility.  “Just enough data” can help business leaders better understand the cost of change, impact of change and benefit of change before significant investments are made.

Because we focus on “just enough data,” our clients get answers sooner and see results more quickly.   Simply stated, “just enough data” can yield just as much benefit when compared to what companies seek to achieve with Big Data.

Don’t get me wrong.  There is a time and a place for everything, and it is hard to ignore the virtues and promise of the untapped insights that Big Data is positioned to deliver.  But in the midst of all the Big Data hype and hoopla, let’s make sure we remember, big things can be done with “just enough data” as well.

Want to know more about gleaning “just enough data” from your enterprise? Read how CHEP started their EPM program by putting together a simple catalog of applications and technologies. That easy-to-compile list of information sets them up for continued success in their quest to see the big picture.

To read the full CHEP case study, click here.

 

*http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2200815

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