Shortening the distance between decision makers and impact

Research has shown many benefits of real-time data visualization for international development. It is important to have the necessary data for decision makers easily available. A delay in accessing this information results in a loss of value. The SCOPEinsight Business Intelligence Platform can help provide this data in a timely manner.

The importance of real-time data

We all know that timely, easy to understand data is critical for policymakers, donors, and development practitioners. Particularly in times of crisis, timely data is indispensable for response teams and donors to make informed decisions on the best use of resources. With recent and current crisis like COVID-19 and the conflict in Ukraine, it is imperative to have insight into the needs of farmers to ensure food security for all. Lack of timely data harms projects as the delays create a loss of impact.

Unfortunately, data is often not available in a timely manner. In many projects, there is at least a three-month lag time between the project kick-off and the baseline survey. If there is a midterm survey, it takes an equal amount of time. It also takes time to create a report and deliver the information to the decision makers. Each delay leads to serious losses of value for the project.

These gaps are especially apparent during times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the paucity of timely actionable data in the agricultural value chain in developing countries as the international community looked for ways to support farmers and agribusinesses. Initially, decision making was often based on assumptions rather than data. This can lead to missteps and inefficiencies, which can sometimes be the difference between success and failure. Data-based decision making is more reliable and valuable for a project.

Data visualization is crucial for understanding

In addition to timeliness, making data easily understood and digestible is also important. This is because of the way the human brain processes information. Data visualization allows us to retain and process complex data more easily than reading reports or spreadsheets. Many professionals struggle to make sense of the vast information resources now available online. This means it is crucial to make the data readable for maximum impact. Visualizations and dashboards that can communicate a story are the easiest and fastest way for our brains to receive large amounts of information.

The actual project decision making process is only as good as the survey reports written and suggestions made. Often, nuances get lost due to a lack of data visualization. This leads to decisions being made on experience, without the value added by impact and evaluation metrics. Even if the data is collected, it is only usable and actionable if it is displayed in a way that is easy to understand.

SCOPE Business Intelligence Platform

Building on the existing assessments and data reporting, SCOPEinsight developed a user-friendly Business Intelligence Platform, in partnership with industry leader Qlik. This allows donors, implementing partners, and decision-makers to access visually stunning data within 24 hours of assessment finalization. Every client can immediately benefit from the analysis pages requested and developed for others.

The Business Intelligence Platform makes data easy to use. Project results can be shared easily to align all stakeholders on common data-driven goals and spread insights beyond individual projects. Rather than relying on static spreadsheets and reports delivered after a project is completed, users can choose the analyses that interest them, connect directly with the source data, and export slides or images for use in their next presentation or proposal. This leads to deeper insights and more effective use of the data.

Real-time data solutions

Insight-driven development approaches allow stakeholders to make more analytical decisions. With critical data, they can provide the support that is needed to those who need it most. For agribusinesses themselves, the fact-based analysis of information can be the source of their competitive advantage and help them build resilience. Even for a more novice agribusinesses in a rural area, this information enables the members to drive innovation, connect loose ends, and know which actions are favorable over others within a shorter timeframe. Data enables these agribusinesses to manage core business operations in the most cost-effective way and react on a day-to-day basis to the many short and longer-term effects of conflicts and crises. This makes it a crucial aspect of any development project.

Curious to see how SCOPEinsight’s Business Intelligence Platform can help your decision-makers be more impactful? Contact us today.

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