ICC Identifies Top 5 Questions to Answer Before Starting on Big Data

COLUMBUS, OH, March 05, 2013 (Press-News.org) As businesses begin to explore the insights, efficiencies and competitive edge big data can bring to their organizations, it is imperative they answer the right questions before getting too far down the road into a Big Data project, according to experts at ICC, a leader in business technology solutions focusing on big data and application development. "Big data is many things but what it is not is a technology initiative. Your IT department will be deeply involved in setting things up and making sure you've got the number crunching horsepower to 'do' big data, but it is an initiative driven by the business not the IT department," says Jim Gallo, National Director of Business Analytics for ICC.

Because big data is much more complex than simply managing and exploring large volumes of data, it is essential that organizations are reasonably assured their business needs and demands--improving customer loyalty, streamlining processes, improving top-line growth through predictive analytics, etc.--will be met before project spending begins.

"As with any business decision about a new and emerging technology," says Gallo, "if you answer a few basic questions beforehand, you will either set your big data initiative on a firm foundation, or conclude that it has no place at all in your organization."

Top 5 Questions to Answer Before Starting on Big Data
Since these decisions are need- value- and capability-centric, here are the questions you'll want to have answered before moving ahead:

1. What do you want to know? Rather than focusing on technology, your big data initiative should begin by addressing how it will help your organization achieve its business objectives, whether improving efficiencies, increasing margins, or attracting a deeper share of wallet.

2. Do you have a "big data" problem or a "lots of data" problem? Once you've defined the business case you have to determine what this means from a data perspective. Just because a data set is large, that doesn't automatically make it "big data."

3. Where will the data come from? Once you've determined you do have big data need, you have identify potential data sources. The information you're after may take some serious integration work to capture or may have to be brought in from third-party sources like social, weather, video, sentiment, or public data sets, for example, or it may not exist at all.

4. Is it worth it? Define the value you will get from big data first. Corporate decision-makers faced with escalating costs, shrinking budgets and conflicting priorities are not going to fund a solution without a solid business justification with solid ROI. That's why you ask the "What do you want to know?" question first.

5. Will it work? There is much to consider before embarking upon a big data initiative, so a healthy dose of skepticism should be employed at every step of the process. Don't do big data for the sake of big data. The stakes can be high relative to costs and benefits, so it's best to have a reasonable assurance choices you make will deliver.

So above all be prudent and make sure there's a need, that the problems are business-focused and clearly defined, that they are solvable, and a positive ROI is attainable. Once these conditions are met, then, go for it! Done right, big data can translate into big value.

- Want to learn more? Download an ICC White Paper: Five Practical Questions for Starting a Big Data Initiative at http://bit.ly/icc-resources

About ICC
ICC, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a leading provider of enterprise technology solutions. With a staff over 500 highly trained consultants, we are experts in Strategy, User Experience, Visual Design, Engineering, Project Management, Business Analytics and Quality Assurance. Using these skills, we develop and deploy innovative, business-critical solutions that enable Fortune 500 and mid-market organizations to improve operational efficiencies. Our Business, Digital and Technology solutions give our clients a competitive advantage that helps them drive revenues and increase margin.

ICC is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and an IBM Premier Business Partner. Clients include Cardinal Health, McGraw Hill, the State of Ohio, and Honda.

ICC is committed to serving its clients, community and country by developing U.S.-based leaders who work hard to strengthen the American economy. More information is available at http://www.icctechnology.com.

Media Contacts:
Theresa Hodgson
ICC
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614-523-3070 x106
www.icctechnology.com

Rich Mullikin
Communication Strategy Group for ICC
rmullikin@gocsg.com
866-997-2424
www.communicationstrategygroup.com