Information Architecture Analysis

BI technology supports the structuring of information, delivering it rapidly and cohesively so that personnel may use it to improve business performance. In the present study, tools were analyzed in relation to the fulfillment of executive's information needs, from a theoretical and practical perspective. The information architecture of an organization provides a means of constant connection with its clients, suppliers, and partners, and should be geared towards strategic management.

The strategic management process can be supported by BI technology through architecture of information that should integrate and centralize different data sources, whether internal or external. The construction of information architecture performed in this study led to the conclusion that BI tools can be important in providing business executives with the necessary information.

In the case studied, transaction process systems did not meet all the executive's information needs, though information architecture applying BI demonstrates technological and business characteristics that satisfy a significant portion of these needs. There is also an issue regarding the lack of knowledge among the executives interviewed concerning the potential of the technology for creating analytical applications. This factor was shown to be relevant and warrants further investigation.

We believe that the objective of the study was accomplished through analysis of the information architecture and comparison against the information needs of executives, identifying a number of gaps for the organization. A long-term assessment is needed to determine whether effective use of BI technologies in the organization will indeed result in strategic improvements in performance or the creation of new business.

Limitations were present with regard to the qualitative nature of the study, since conclusions cannot be generalized. The case study conducted provided greater depth; however, the practical conclusions cannot be generalized for other organizations, serving only as context for research. An additional limitation was that the study came to a close prior to complete implementation of the information architecture system. Thus, it was not possible to evaluate all the outcomes, although some areas had already shown good results.

It is suggested that future studies conduct research and analysis focusing on the effective results of implementing BI technology, determining whether this brings real benefits to company performance and allows the creation of new business or changes in existing business. Another challenge would be to analyze companies that have already adopted BI, ascertaining whether the method of constructing the architecture was based on the information needs of executives.