I was reading an excellent article by Liz Benison of Capgemini at CIO UK today.  This states that the ideas behind Business Information Management (BIM) are common sense and logical and straightforward rather than rocket science. The article then makes the point that those organisations that have pioneered BIM ideas are reaping immense rewards from applying them. The three step sequence described in the feature is as follows:

“Step 1 concerns Business Performance Management. It seeks to provide a consistent framework within which business decisions can be made with confidence, and which enables strategy to be translated into action. It puts the focus on accurate, usable metrics and on pinpointing those who will be responsible for producing, monitoring and achieving them.

Step 2 produces an Information Strategy with the focus on actively managing information to support better decisions. It puts in place processes for the governance of information, for its sharing inside and outside the organisation, and for ensuring that a single, consistent view is gained.

Step 3 involves a Solution Centre approach that ensures business and IT people work together to design, develop, deploy and support information across the organisation. It also addresses any skills deficiencies acting as roadblocks on the effective use of information, and any ‘cultural deficiencies’ impeding appreciation of just how central information is to meeting business objectives.”