The benefits of data warehousing: Why some organizations realize exceptional payoffs

Data warehousing is one of the key developments in the information systems field. While its benefits are plentiful, some organizations are receiving more signification returns than others. The types of returns can vary in the impact they have on the organization and the ease in which they can be quantified and measured. This article presents a framework that shows how data warehouses can transform an organization; it also offers a compelling explanation for why differences in impact exist. Case studies of data warehousing initiatives at a large manufacturing company, the Internal Revenue Service, and a financial services company are presented and discussed within the context of the framework. The analysis shows that the benefits that each company received can be tied to the way in which it conforms to the framework.