Big Data Analytics enables the rapid extraction, transformation, loading, search, analysis and sharing of massive data sets. By analyzing a large, integrated, real-time database rather than smaller, independent, batch-processed data sets, Big Data Analytics seeks to quickly identify previously unseen correlations and patterns to improve decision making. Although it is related to traditional Database Management and Business Intelligence systems, Big Data Analytics dramatically increases the ability to process data in four major ways:

• Volume: moves beyond terabytes to petabytes and exabytes
• Velocity: enables real-time insights and actions
• Variety: analyzes everything from click-stream data to video streams
• Variability: manages changes in data formats and information fields

The results help managers better measure and manage the most critical functions of their business.

How Big Data Analytics work:

Companies start by identifying significant business opportunities that may be enhanced by superior data and then determine whether Big Data Analytics solutions are needed. If they are, the business will need to develop the hardware, software and talent required to capitalize on Big Data Analytics. That often requires the addition of data scientists who are skilled in asking the right questions, identifying cost-effective information sources, finding true patterns of causality and translating analytic insights into actionable business information.

To apply Big Data Analytics, companies should:

• Select a pilot (a business unit or functional group) with meaningful opportunities to capitalize on Big Data Analytics
• Establish a leadership group and team of data scientists with the skills and resources necessary to drive the effort successfully
• Identify specific decisions and actions that can be improved
• Determine the most appropriate hardware and software solutions for the targeted decisions
• Decide whether to purchase or rent the system
• Establish guiding principles such as data privacy and security policies
• Test, learn, share and refine
• Develop repeatable models and expand applications to additional business areas

Companies use Big Data Analytics to:

• Improve internal processes, such as risk management, Customer Relationship Management, supply chain logistics or Web content optimization
• Improve existing products and services
• Develop new product and service offerings
• Better target their offerings to their customers
• Transform the overall business model to capitalize on real-time information and feedback

Selected references

Davenport, Thomas H., Jeanne G. Harris, and Robert Morison. Analytics at Work: Smarter Decisions, Better Results. Harvard Business Review Press, 2010.

Franks, Bill. Taming the Big Data Tidal Wave: Finding Opportunities in Huge Data Streams with Advanced Analytics. Wiley, 2012.

Isson, Jean-Paul, and Jesse Harriott. Win with Advanced Business Analytics: Creating Business Value from Your Data. Wiley, 2012.

Laursen, Gert H. N., and Jesper Thorlund. Business Analytics for Managers: Taking Business Intelligence Beyond Reporting. Wiley, 2010.

McAfee, Andrew, and Erik Brynjolfsson. "Big Data: The Management Revolution." Harvard Business Review, October 2012.

Shah, Shvetank, Andrew Horne, and Jaime Capella. "Good Data Won’t Guarantee Good Decisions." Harvard Business Review, April 2012.

Soares, Sunil. Big Data Governance: An Emerging Imperative. MC Press, 2013.

Stubbs, Evan. The Value of Business Analytics: Identifying the Path to Profitability. Wiley, 2011.

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