The Rumsfeld Matrix as an effective tool in the decision-making process
During a briefing on the Iraq War, Donald Rumsfeld divided information into 4 categories: known known, known unknown, unknown known, unknown unknown. ...
The main Business Intelligence (BI) idea is to transform raw data into actionable insights. Data has become an integral part of any activity field. Its collection, processing and analysis is a key element in the process of successful companies and organizations development. Data can be useful not only for commercial organizations. For example, a healthcare facility uses data to make a more accurate diagnosis and treatment. The education sphere is quite difficult to perceive a data-driven approach, adhering to classical approaches. However, proper data use helps to identify useful information that can maximize the effectiveness of learning processes. For example, BI tools can optimize school admission process, timetable classes, increase student achievement level etc.
Business Intelligence is a set of methods and tools for collecting and analyzing raw data as well as transforming it into useful insights. The main task is to optimize operational processes and improve existing models. BI and Artificial Intelligence are the main technologies that aim to improve the educational process. BI allows to access data and generate reports. This, in turn, enables users to explore the data and extract information about past trends.
Educational institutions store a huge data amount. For example, scorecards, test scores, overall scores and so on are raw data that can be useful in the process of a new model development. This, in turn, allows to develop a culture of data-driven decision making. However, often educational institutions don’t understand what data they store and how it can be used effectively. School enrollment data, exam records and scores, and other data can be used to improve curriculum and identify trends.
Such a large amount of raw data requires the right approach to manage it. For data storage, it is advisable to use a data warehouse, which allows for the rapid and efficient processing of complex data sets. However, it is always worth keeping in mind security measures to prevent data leaks and fraudulent use.
Data is valuable if you work with it effectively. Just a large data amount doesn’t provide any benefit. Therefore, it is important to ensure the correct process of data collecting, storing, processing and analyzing. Compiling study reports and presenting the resulting information in an understandable visual form is able to attract the management attention. This allows to make adjustments to existing models or develop new ones to provide a more effective learning process.
The use of BI tools helps to use the available resources (time, labor force) more efficiently. This contributes to the improvement of academic performance. For example, data analysis to determine the performance of teachers and students in specific subjects, etc. School administrators can also make data-driven decisions using BI tools.
To improve data visibility and visualization, it is important to use the concept of data warehouses. They allow to centralize the collected data in one place and develop a model in order to obtain more accurate information. Another important element in the process of working with data is visualization. It is easy to present and perceive information in a simple and understandable way. This facilitates approval of ideas and effective decision making based on a clear and understandable data presentation.