This is a continuation of a blog on KPI's and statistics. Part I can be found at http://scn.sap.com/community/chemicals/blog/2014/04/04/statistics-lies-pliable-wrong
So you have a desire for more statistics. You can of course develop your own (see SAP Help Portal under analytics for solutions that you can use in developing your own statistics and KPI's), but the problems mentioned in my previous posting remain. Agreement on what the definition is, the data source, and how to use them are still problematic.
While every company I deal with has some very specific and unique KPI’s and statistics that they use to monitor their operations, the majority of companies can and do use standardized statistics. I put it to you. Is it productive to go through all the effort and cost in developing a solution that has already been built by someone else or just buy the solution? I believe that if I can buy it, I should, and use my limited resources for the tasks that add unique value to my company
SAP provides a large number of analytic packages with predefined KPI’s and Statistics. For example
For a more extensive list of RDS for Analytics please see SAP Service Marketplace (You will need to be logged onto the market place to access this list).
Other companies are also delivering standardized KPI’s . One of our strategic OEM partners Rolta has built a product called OneView with delivers 250+ KPI’s in the areas of Operations, Assets, Maintenance & Reliability, Projects, Supply Chain, General Business, Sustainability, and HSSE (Health, Safety, Security and the Environment). They currently have three RDS to support the implementation of their solution.
Rolta OneView RDS’s
- Operations Insights,
- Asset Insights
- Maintenance & Reliability Insight
With so many analytics available, including those that come with the various solutions e.g. Workforce Analytics from SuccessFactors care must be taken so that you do not get swamped. Look what is available. Do you need it? Do you want to develop it or buy it. I know what my choice would be, what is yours?
While statistics and KPI’s are very valuable, be aware of what you are looking at and what each KPI really means. Once everything is in place and operating, do not become an automation and do what the system generated KPI / analytics tell you, exercise your judgment, because “Statistics are no substitute for judgment “Henry Clay.
Remember “Statistics show that of those who contract the habit of eating, very few survive” – George Bernard Shaw
