When it comes to defining success for most technology projects with user rollouts, such as mobile business intelligence (BI), adoption is the key indicator of success. The degree to which users embrace the solution depends on a variety of factors. Some may be highly visible and easily measurable. Others may be less so and may require interpretation. Moreover, additional measurements such as cost reduction or productivity improvements contribute to the overall success criteria.

Here are five signs of a successful mobile BI initiative.

1.  Executive sponsor with a mobile passion

The success of a mobile BI journey depends on executive sponsorship more than anything else. But having an executive only on paper isn’t enough. An ideal executive sponsor of a mobile BI initiative leads with a mobile passion as a champion of the cause and an ardent mobile user.

Using the mobile solution demonstrates firsthand the mobile mindset that sets an example. And by recognizing the information available on mobile BI assets as the single version of the truth, the leadership provides a clear and consistent message for everyone to follow.

2.  User participation from Day 1

Everyone knows that deploying mobile BI solutions without active participation of business users is a sure recipe for disaster. But we need to think beyond the requirements gathering and testing when it comes to user involvement. They need to play an active role in all facets of the initiative from day one.

They must touch and play with the first prototype as much as they would during the testing phase. Continuous feedback should be the lifeblood of any development effort.

3.  Reliable platform with a user focus

Business users depend on technology, such as mobile BI, to do their jobs. In many cases, they access mobile assets on the go and with less time to spare. User focus requires high availability and a platform operation that aligns with business priorities.

However, when we talk about the platform, we need to go beyond the physical servers that host the application or database. We must consider anything that plays a critical role in the execution of your information delivery infrastructure. If users can’t access the system for whatever reason, it’s of no use to them.

4.  Accurate data with timely updates

Data is as critical as the platform it runs on. I often see the importance of data misinterpreted or misunderstood. Data quality can’t be marginalized if our goal is to enable faster, better-informed decision making. Think about it for a moment. If your systems are up and running but data is wrong or suspect, what good does it do? On the other hand, if the data is right but outdated, the value may be limited, especially for mobile assets that depend on frequent or regular updates.

We need both:

• Accurate and complete content

• Timely updates

A mobile BI platform that is fast and running is useless if the data can’t be trusted.

5.  Infrastructure that supports mobile readiness

When we think of the infrastructure, we need to take a holistic view and consider other areas that can impact the end-to-end mobile BI user experience. This includes support and communication, among other things. We can’t support mobile readiness if we don’t manage the user experience.

As anyone who works with technology knows, the best solutions—even when designed and implemented perfectly—are prone to face challenges at some point. Technology, by its nature, is bound to fail or be misunderstood by some users. And when this happens, the longevity of a mobile BI solution relies on a solid support infrastructure that is consistent and predictable.