The DELTA Model

In their seminal works on business intelligence and analytics, Competing on Analytics and Analytics at Work,  Harvard Business School professor Thomas Davenport and Accenture partner Jeanne Harris outline a framework for introducing analytics to the enterprise. Known by its acronym, DELTA, the model shapes the way NorthBound delivers the benefits of Informed Activity to its clients. The DELTA Model is a tool for assessment as well as the foundation for a roadmap leading towards Informed Activity.  NorthBound uses DELTA to

• provide our clients a snapshot of readiness to introduce analytics into their organization · 
• provide analytically-enabled firms with a measure of how well they have embraced the use of analytics.

DATA: The Foundation of Analytics Most firms capture transactional data but not all of them use the data to assist with strategic or operational decision making. Data is transformed into information for analysis through Governance, Privacy, Structure, Uniqueness, Integration, and Access.

ENTERPRISE: The Measure of Integrated Analytics We measure of the reach of analytics across the organization  by evaluating how data & infrastructure is Integrated  as well as how Consistent data definitions are applied.

LEADERSHIP: Without Which There Would Be No Analytics Introducing analytics into an organization that has relied on intuition and tradition to guide its decision making is a rather daunting task. It takes a special kind of leader, who can clearly articulate the benefits of Informed Activity. In our experience, the attributes exhibited by the most successful analytic leaders include a Visionary Approach, who Champions Analytics, Sets Clear Performance Expectations, is Persistent, Leads by Example and is Results Oriented.

TARGETS: The Stepping Stones Toward Informed Activity Not every activity in your organization is ripe for analytics from the outset. NorthBound assists firms in selecting the best TARGETS for introducing analytics. Activities or projects that are good candidates have Executive Support, are Feasible, Measurable, Aligned, Global and Innovative.

ANALYSTS: Living Analytics Every Day Analysts are charged with implementing everything else in the DELTA model. They are not machines and require a certain amount of special attention. DELTA provides a measure of the quality and strength of your analyst pool by Identifying analysts or analytical roles, ensuring they are properly Trained, Motivated and Organized.