Strategic Sanity Check is one component of complete A-to-Z BI implementation. I handle everything from BI strategy to fully automated KPI dashboards.
Learn about complete BI implementation →You don't know which KPIs matter for your business
Part of Complete BI Implementation
Strategic Sanity Check
The first step of my 'Vision-to-Growth' Framework. I validate your internal research and define the 'True North' KPIs that provide strategic clarity.
When You Need Strategic Sanity Check
Your dashboards don't connect to business goals
Different departments have conflicting views on key metrics
You're considering a new BI tool but unsure how it fits your goals
You need an external authority to validate your internal data research
How I Approach Strategic Sanity Check
Eliminating Strategic Uncertainty
The Strategic Sanity Check is the first step of my Vision-to-Growth Framework. It’s the crucial first step where we move from a general desire for “better data” to a precise blueprint for absolute operational control.
Why Most BI Projects Fail
Most Business Intelligence (BI) projects fail not because of technical incompetence, but because of a lack of strategic clarity. I don’t just ask “what data do you have?”; I provide an external validation of your internal assumptions. I ask the uncomfortable questions: “What decisions do you need to make, and what information would help you make them better?”
Strategic Alignment for Project-Driven Firms
As part of my A-to-Z transformation, this phase ensures that the entire technical foundation we build later is grounded in real business value. We identify industry-specific data patterns and define your True North KPIs—the five core metrics that actually move the needle for your project-driven firm.
Defining Your Roadmap to Control
The result of this milestone is a validated roadmap that eliminates the Implementation Disconnect (the gap between strategy and technical execution) before a single line of code is written. It provides the peace of mind that your data investment is targeting the right outcomes from day one.
Looking for Strategic Sparring?
Beyond technical validation, I offer a deeper level of engagement for leaders who want to bridge the gap between technical complexity and business value. Explore my Data Strategy Advisory for high-stakes decisions and strategic sparring.
Key Definitions in this Context
- Single Source of Truth (SSOT): A centralized data architecture where everyone in the company refers to the same, validated version of a metric.
- True North KPIs: The mission-essential metrics that provide a clear signal of business health, filtered from the noise of secondary data.
- Strategic Sanity Check: An external validation process used to ensure that technical data initiatives are directly mapped to board-level objectives.
Closer Look: The Philosophy of Data
Want to learn more about the philosophical frameworks I use to ensure strategic clarity?
Download my short eBook “Philosophers in Data” below:
What's Included
Strategic Validation
External sanity check on your internal research and assumptions
KPI Definition Workshops
Identify metrics that drive decisions
Stakeholder Alignment
Bridging the gap between management vision and technical reality
Future State BI Roadmap
Clear blueprint for implementation
Example Outcomes
No clear KPIs
→
Strategic Clarity
5 core 'True North' KPIs defined and aligned with goals
Conflicting reports
→
Single source of truth
Everyone uses the same definitions
Unclear BI value
→
Validated ROI framework
A clear business case for your data investment
Part of Complete BI Implementation
Strategic Sanity Check is one component of complete A-to-Z BI implementation. I handle everything from BI strategy to fully automated KPI dashboards.
Learn about complete BI implementation →Ready to Get Started?
Let's discuss how Strategic Sanity Check fits into your complete BI implementation.