Data Governance Blog

The Gap Between Perception and Reality

In order for any IT pro to really enjoy watching NCIS, they have to suspend reality particularly when McGee goes into action. Not action in the field, rather when he instantly gets into databases and merges the results to discover the trail of the villain. It really is BI nirvana.

So while you, the IT pro, are curled up in your favorite chair watching the show at home, miles away so is your business partner. The difference is your business partner does not have to suspend their belief in reality because to them IT pros really can do that stuff. This is where the gap between perception and reality begins to impact you.

The problem with the pure fiction demonstrated on the show, is that to the casual observer this is what IT pros can do. Within seconds data from behind firewalls and security schemes on disparate databases or applications is mashed up then flashed on the large flat screen monitor. It is almost as if they have a master key for all databases. You did disable the default login didn’t you?

Your business partners want that version of BI nirvana. They want instant mashups and answers to their business problems and if they cannot have it, they perceive the IT staff as the problem.  On the other side of the fence, IT managers are fighting reality of data quality issues, poor source documentation, and incompatible data. This creates a clash between the perception and the reality of what can be done.

It is important to for the BI manager and IT pro to understand this clash. They have to understand that the perception-reality gap exists and the need to address the unspoken expectations of the business. During the requirements analysis phase you can explore and address the gap. Understanding their perception can help you prepare for future discussions.

Ask the business partner about their expectations related to time, effort, and resources. Find out what they perceive is involved in the effort to deliver the project before you put your plan together. This information will serve as your starting point in communicating the reality of your project enabling you to fill the gap between their perception and your reality.