
- Business
- Written By Aneesh Gupta
Differences between Strategic and Tactical Business Intelligence
17-Nov-2017 . 3 min read
With heaps of data at their disposal, it would be naïve for businesses not to take advantage of it. However, business intelligence (BI) exists in many forms. Let’s take a closer look at strategic vs tactical business intelligence here!
Both shape data-driven decision making in their own way. Markedly, modern BI tools enable the rapid collection, processing, and analysis of massive data pools.
With such advanced mechanisms, business intelligence and analytics can provide incredible insights. As a result, BI can greatly benefit business owners by improving productivity, enhancing customer service, and reducing costs.
Strategic vs Tactical Business Intelligence at a Glance
Strategic and tactical BI are the two major types of Business Intelligence (the others being predictive, diagnostic, and descriptive BI). Although often used interchangeably, there are quite a few differences between the two.
Now, let’s break them down individually for better clarity:
Strategic Business Intelligence
It is a type of Business Intelligence focused on how insights from data will be implemented, driving and informing strategy. It, moreover, supports planning and all forward-looking business activities.
So, what sets strategic intelligence apart? Here are three key characteristics:
1. Oriented towards the Future
The great thing about strategic intelligence is that it can predict future conditions. This allows businesses to plan for the long term and make more informed decisions, removing the guesswork.
By uncovering potential possibilities and probable outcomes, strategic business intelligence empowers them to formulate their future course of action.
2. Deals with Identifying Trends and Patterns
Strategic intelligence can also help businesses understand current industry trends and make sense of consumer behaviour patterns. As such, it puts businesses more in the driving seat, in a better position to thrive.
3. The Upper Management Deals with Strategic Intelligence
Since it involves looking at the bigger picture and deciding the future course of action, strategic intelligence is handled by the top executives – steering the “ship-of-business” by looking forward rather than looking backwards at the wake.
Source: G2.com
- The BI market is on a rapid growth trajectory, projected to hit $33.3 billion by 2025.
- The global BI market is estimated to reach $54.27 billion by 2030, with a 9.1% CAGR.
Tactical Business Intelligence
Notably, tactical intelligence is a type of business intelligence that deals with how the strategies will be implemented and informs about the tasks to be performed.
So, what defines tactical intelligence? Here are three key characteristics:
1. Deals with Present Scenarios
Tactical intelligence provides real-time analysis of the current competitive landscape and operational performance. This helps businesses prioritize and take timely actions.
Furthermore, it also enables them to achieve their objectives, stay on track, and align with the strategy and plans set through strategic intelligence.
2. Evaluates Whether the Company Has Enough Resources
Tactical intelligence assesses whether the company has adequate time, money and manpower to implement the plans. It tracks and informs about the effective use of all its assets. What’s more, it helps businesses make efficient use of their resources!
3. Different Departments can be Responsible for Carrying It Out
Since tactical intelligence deals with actual implementation, different departments can be involved depending on company’s needs.
To leverage these tactical and strategic insights effectively, businesses need the right tools, however!
From BI Approach to Types of Business Intelligence Tools
It’s no exaggeration to say that the advent of easily accessible software technology has leveled the playing field. Importantly, these applications can leveraged by small businesses and large enterprises alike.
Moreover, many of these BI tools can be customized to meet a business’s unique requirements.
With deep experience in Business Intelligence, we at Centelli help businesses thrive in the digital world. From developing BI strategies for enterprises to modernizing business intelligence, we drive growth through:
- Custom BI solutions that maximize value
- Expertise in market-leading BI platforms such as SAP, AWS, Tableau, Birst, and Hadoop
- Powerful BI analytics for both tactical and strategic business intelligence
- Scalable Implementations / Ongoing Support
For more details or any questions, reach out to us today!