The 15 trends in AI, Big Data & BI for 2025
December 2024We’re not here to gaze into a crystal ball. Instead, this article explores the most talked-about trends in artificial intelligence, big data, and business intelligence. These insights are drawn from countless conversations we’ve had with clients over the past year, as well as questions and discussions that surfaced during our training sessions. We’ve also examined trends identified by others for 2025 to determine which topics are gaining traction and which ones are fading. What’s hot? What’s not? We focus on the facts and share our perspectives. While many tech companies tend to frame the technologies they sell as “trends,” Passionned Group takes a truly independent approach. Our analysis isn’t filtered through rose-colored glasses. This list highlights actionable trends—ones you can start implementing right away—as an AI leader, head of BI, CIO, director, consultant, or business manager. If you’re not already addressing these areas, it’s time to start.
How AI and computer vision transformed rent calculations for 35,000 homes
November 2024Woonin, a Dutch housing organization dedicated to providing affordable homes for society’s most vulnerable, recently faced a significant challenge. In July, a new rent law was introduced, requiring rents to be calculated based on the precise square footage of outdoor spaces such as balconies and roof terraces. This was a major departure from the previous point-based system, which used rough categories for rent adjustments. The new system, where each square meter of outdoor space adds about two euros to the rent per month, demanded an extremely precise inventory of 35,000 properties. Given the complexity and urgency, Woonin turned to Passionned Group and their seasoned data scientist, Longhow Lam, for help. Their innovative use of AI and computer vision transformed this daunting task into a streamlined process, delivering results that exceeded expectations and encouraged Woonin to further embrace data-driven solutions.
Build only the dashboards you need – overcome the 7 biggest problems first
October 2024In an ideal world, we would have all the information we need at our fingertips to make well-informed decisions, tailored to the specific needs of our organization. However, reality tells a different story: consistently making data-driven decisions is a challenge for most organizations, despite all the talk about the importance of data-driven work. Research indicates that only 10 to 15% of organizations truly excel at this; the rest are simply struggling. Many create dashboard after dashboard, and report after report, hoping that more detailed insights will lead to better outcomes. But this often results in a never-ending cycle, turning into a massive reporting machine that wastes valuable resources. Simply adding more dashboards is not the answer—sometimes, “less is more.” We need to navigate with precision and focus. So, what does work? In this article, we explore the world of smart dashboards, effective management, meaningful KPIs, and data-driven practices, while highlighting the 7 biggest challenges in dashboarding and how to overcome them.
The AI Paradox: Technological promises aren’t matching reality in the workplace
September 2024Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a headline maker in recent years, and it’s now playing a major role in workplaces everywhere. The rise of generative AI was supposed to mark the start of a new era—promising increased creativity and efficiency. But those promises haven’t yet shown up in the productivity numbers. The productivity growth we were expecting from AI, according to major experts like McKinsey, hasn’t fully materialized. So, what’s causing this gap between AI’s potential and reality? More importantly, how do we close it? There’s a paradox here: AI should be optimizing our workflows, but in practice, we’re not seeing the gains. To get real results, we need to rethink what AI can actually deliver. How do we move beyond the hype and make AI a genuine driver of growth? Research suggests AI can deliver major gains by 2025, but only if we take the right steps today.
The 24 most important KPIs for local governments
September 2024Managing a local government comes with numerous challenges. Local authorities are responsible for delivering a broad range of services and facilities, and must clearly demonstrate how these efforts enhance residents’ quality of life. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are a powerful tool in achieving this. They provide valuable insights into local government performance and support informed decision-making. By using KPIs, governments can operate more transparently and efficiently, ultimately fostering trust and mutual understanding between residents and the government. In this article, we explore how KPIs contribute to effective governance and highlight the 24 most important KPIs that every local authority should monitor.
NVM’s IT strategy gets the house in order
June 2024As an organization with a vision, the NVM has designed an IT-shared service center for its various NVM units. They have business objectives that need to be supported by flexible, high-quality, and robust IT solutions. The trade association for broker-appraisers was faced with the challenge of making their IT strategy even more future-proof. In order to do this, they reviewed their current IT system, created an overview of their ambitions and business goals, and then outlined a series of roadmaps. This led to a future-proof IT strategy, which was created in collaboration with Passionned Group. After this fruitful project, the strategy is now being implemented in the organization.
Build a dazzling decision box and not a paltry peep box
May 2024Data-driven work is what’s happening. Every organization wants it or has it embedded in its strategy. The will is there and that is, of course, good news. But then many organizations build a paltry peep box (a children’s craft that involves making a diorama inside a box with a hole to look at it) that pretty much only facilitates looking backwards. They may create super-cool dashboards and hammer together a data warehouse by the book, but they continue to struggle with data-driven work. After all, that term assumes that the actions of everyone in the organization are guided by data and the insights derived from it. With a peep box, that can hardly be the case. You are looking at stagnant water that also gets cloudy over time. Your vision deteriorates and your canoe just floats around. Decisions are made based on knowledge, experience, opinions, and gut feeling.
The 32 most important products of a BI team
March 2024An intelligent, data-driven organization does not allow itself to be surprised. It is sensitive, smart, fast, and agile. It makes decisions based on reliable data. And that data is available to everyone at all times. Because in a world where new competitors appear daily, markets become saturated, and digitization offers new opportunities but also poses new challenges, weekly reports are no longer enough. In this dynamic landscape, the ability to swiftly adapt and innovate is crucial. The BI team can deliver many more products than you think. We’ve inventoried them for you. There are as many as 32 of them. In this blog, you’ll find them all. Discover how these products can empower your organization to stay ahead, make informed decisions, and turn data into a strategic asset.
The 15 biggest hurdles in Business Intelligence
February 2024Implementing Business Intelligence in an organization involves several major hurdles. The size of the hurdle depends on the size, BI maturity, resources, culture in the organization and the organization’s business environment, among other things. Large organizations often have a lot of data and so, for example, you are much more likely to have performance problems. In old-fashioned organizations that are still far from the mindset of data-driven work, you will more often encounter resistance from employees. Thus, every organization has its own obstacles and challenges. Below are some of the most common obstacles you will encounter during the implementation of BI. Its success hinges on the answers you manage to formulate to these challenges. Don’t choke on BI, avoid a false start and delve deeper into the list.
The top 7 BI trends, big data trends & AI trends of 2024
December 2023Welcome to the age of algorithm omnipotence. On the cusp of 2024, we see Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data applications reaching new heights. AI is integrating deeper into various industries, changing work. Databases are a thing of the past within the field of Business Intelligence, and the metaverse will change the way we socialize, work, and experience the digital world. Developments in the field of AI are extra exciting at a time when there are quite a lot of geopolitical changes (on the way). The lines between fake and real will become increasingly blurred. This as we intentionally or unintentionally move toward an era of algorithm omnipotence. In addition, how to actually be human in this age where AI seems to be calling the shots is becoming an increasingly important issue. In line with this, the call for ethics is becoming louder. The black box of AI must be opened further.
Rabobank Real Estate Finance switches to data-driven PDCA
October 2023Within Rabobank, Rabo Real Estate Finance finances large and small real estate entrepreneurs and projects throughout the Netherlands. In 2022, the size of this commercial real estate portfolio was approximately EUR 21 billion. In doing so, it provides suitable financing solutions for development, construction, transformation, renovation, and investment properties. And it facilitates entrepreneurs in doing business in future-proof real estate and achieving healthy returns. The collection, disclosure, analysis, and combination of various datasets are central to this. In this case, you can read how Rabo Real Estate Finance successfully applies data-driven working and how they continuously monitor the figures in 6 steps using the PDCA cycle.
Harness the power of Generative AI, but remain critical and vigilant
September 2023Since the overpowering launch of ChatGPT by the company OpenAI in late 2022, the genie is out of the bottle. Everyone in the tech and media sector is overwhelmed by this new, exceptionally powerful technology. ChatGPT’s achievements are therefore very impressive at first glance. The “language virtuoso” needs only a few simple instructions to cough up rambling texts or program code. It can also effortlessly analyze data and create graphs in no time. Theologian, data expert, and AI evangelist Jack Esselink follows developments closely. In his lectures, presentations, and in this blog, he preaches above all to keep a sober eye on all the arts and crafts. “It’s not all hosanna, of course. ChatGPT sometimes misses the mark completely and sometimes hallucinates. Ethical dilemmas impose themselves.”
AI is a systems technology with a huge impact
June 2023‘Organizations massively underestimate the power of data-driven innovation.’ states Prof. Dr. Frans Feldberg, professor of Data-Driven Innovation at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. According to him, there is still a world to be conquered. The use of data and analytics to improve existing business is commonplace, but too few organizations exploit the opportunities to truly innovate by developing new data-driven products and services. ‘You really don’t have to explain to managers anymore how important data is. For example, most organizations use data to optimize the supply chain to maximize the customer experience. The fact that you can also use data to stay relevant by developing new business models is a real eye-opener for many organizations.’
Every euro you invest in technology, you also invest in people
May 202370% of all BI projects fail. There should be a great deal of concern about this. Organizations keep building data warehouses and data lakes. Despite the huge data mountains, 75% of executives don’t trust their own data (source: HFS Research). They ignore the data and make decisions irrationally. To close the gap between people and technology, the data literacy gap, Thomas Abramse and Caroline Raaijmaakers, data coaches at Passionned Group, are taking to the barricades. Out of every euro you want to invest in a BI project, you should immediately skim half a euro and reserve it for training and education. That’s the only way to develop employee data literacy. Investing in data literacy does require a different mindset. Our data coaches explain how.
The top 7 BI trends, big data trends & AI trends of 2023
January 2023Turbulent geopolitics with military might, a new cold war, mega-inflation, an (imminent) recession, and the accumulation of crises, some of them self-inflicted, threw spanner in the works last year. With this predominantly negative sentiment, it is surprising that the IT industry still managed to pull promising AI and BI technology out of the hat this year. As always, Passionned Group reviews the latest big data-based trends for you for relevance, feasibility, and practical applicability. These innovations highlight the resilience and adaptability of the IT sector, showcasing how adversity often sparks creativity and groundbreaking advancements. The continuous evolution in BI and AI technology not only offers new tools and methodologies but also redefines the strategic approaches businesses can adopt to navigate these challenging times. We hereby give you the most important BI, AI & Big Data trends.
Data mesh makes the central BI department and data warehouse obsolete
November 2022The term data mesh is popping up more and more often. Few, however, can explain exactly what it is and what it stands for. If you talk to data engineers and architects about the data mesh, data pipelines, connectors, controllers, and processors soon dominate the conversation. That’s nice if you’re a “techie”, but as a business manager, you want to be able to make sense of things and see the complete picture in front of you. And as an architect, you want to understand how a data mesh fits into the enterprise architecture. Multinational companies like Netflix, Zalando, VistaPrint, and Intuit are enthusiastic about it. But what does this philosophy entail, and isn’t data mesh just another hype? We wanted to find out and asked the experts Rick van der Linden and Daan van Beek of Passionned Group.
7 ways to escape fake news
September 2022Fake it until you make it. Thanks to Photoshop and smart filters, we can create our own, relatively harmless made-up world. Fake news, on the other hand, are different. By combining text, images, and sound with artificial intelligence, you can do fun things, but you can also mix a poisonous cocktail. A cocktail that affects our cherished Western democracy and breaks down the social cohesion in our society. Everyone should therefore be super alert to all kinds of fake news and deepfakes. But how do you avoid getting caught up in a web of stories? Resilience to an unhealthy narrative starts with developing a critical mind. Passionned Group’s always positive-critical thinking tank sat down and came up with 7 thoughtful considerations with which you can become media-wise and data literate.
The 20 best tips for better decision-making
August 2022We are poor decision-makers and our brains function only moderately well, according to numerous studies. The process of decision-making has long been a black box, but little by little we are gaining more insights. Now that data-driven work is becoming the norm, improving decision-making is a must. That’s why we crawl into the brains of decision-makers to see what decision-making is, how the brain works, and what you can do to combat biases. Why do educated and generally wise managers and dedicated, motivated employees make bad decisions? How do you prevent biases and noise during the crucial process of decision-making in organizations? This blog is about decision-making and the tough fight against biases. Consult our 20 tips and immediately take your first step towards better decisions.
Without data analysis, BI is pointless
June 2022“Does BI still cover the bill?” is what you regularly hear in the hallways. Especially when the promised return on investment in data warehouses, data lakes, and KPI dashboards is disappointing and nobody understands why. Almost always this uncertainty stems from poor or forgotten data analysis. “Without data analysis, BI is an empty shell. A pointless and soulless initiative without substance.” Data analysis is the critical component that breathes life into BI, transforming raw data into actionable insights. Without it, organizations are merely compiling data without reaping the potential benefits, leading to frustration and wasted resources. This is what CEO Daan van Beek and associate partner Thomas Abramse of Passionned Group state in a duo interview based on research and years of experience with clients.
Data analytics in sports: a practical example
June 2022The world of professional sports is starting to take advantage of working with large volumes of (big) data. Let’s take soccer as an example. More and more soccer stadiums have been equipped with advanced, GPS-based systems, like TRACAB, for example. This AI-supported system has been used in over 125 stadiums, including many stadiums in the Premier League and the Bundesliga. Together with devices like accelerometers and heartbeat sensors, they provide data that is used to monitor the performance and effectiveness of players (Rejec, 2016). Data analytics provides the answers for better sports performances. The insights gained from this data not only help in optimizing individual player performance but also assist coaches in making strategic decisions and preventing injuries.
The top 7 BI trends, big data trends & AI trends of 2022
January 2022After another challenging year of faltering supply chains and skyrocketing commodity prices, material shortages, and exploding energy prices, the specter of inflation “suddenly” haunts us. But for those who look on the bright side, like the techno-optimists, this artificially perpetuated crisis offers plenty of opportunity. If wages get too high, algorithms and robots will gradually be able to take over our jobs. But that will rapidly accelerate the process of dehumanization and desocialization. And then a picture of a dystopia looms: a nasty society in which technocrats are in charge and pessimists rule the roost. Passionned Group remains positive as always and identifies the most important BI trends, big data trends & AI trends of 2022. IT trends that should make life more enjoyable and work better.
The mobilizing power of the data revolution
November 2021Data helps chart the real-world impact of existing measures and adjustments, and democratically determine the next steps and actions to be taken. Making data more accessible to more employees creates a democratic foundation for everyone to draw their own conclusions from. The effectiveness of measures can be monitored in real-time and with an eye on the whole. People can look with you, and help decide, enabling collaboration and cooperation. All with an eye on radically or incrementally implementing improvements. Data-driven organizing isn’t just IT’s new plaything. Data-driven working matches what people in the workplace have long felt and known.
Improve your agility with AI: learn from the McDonald’s case
November 2021Accelerating and putting your irons in the fire when it’s hot is a hallmark of data-driven working. The cycle doesn’t determine the speed of action, but the urgency to make new plans (Plan), new actions (Do), a new Check, or new adjustments do. It’s not solely about completing the cycle, because that would make PDCA an end unto itself. Instead, it’s about fostering a culture of continuous improvement and responsiveness, ensuring that each iteration brings tangible benefits. By embedding agility into the PDCA cycle, organizations can better navigate the fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape. This dynamic approach empowers teams to swiftly respond to new challenges and seize emerging opportunities with precision and confidence.
Plan, Do, Check, Act: A data-driven cycle
October 2021Connect data with continuous improvement and PDCA and your organization will blossom all over again. People will enjoy their work more because they will regain control. Datacracy is a promising and already proven way of working that every organization should embrace immediately. However, many companies still have a long way to go before they have a data-driven culture. Structure, processes, and people’s behavior will all have to change. A data-driven PDCA cycle also starts with the people. Data-driven working signals a movement and the thinking can be mastered by anyone. Integrating data into the PDCA cycle uncovers insights for better decision-making and fosters continuous improvement. This empowers employees, leading to higher engagement and innovation. Embracing datacracy ensures competitiveness and agility in an evolving marketplace.
The top 7 BI trends, big data trends and AI trends 2021
January 2021After a challenging year for many businesses (not to mention governments and individuals) and an economy straining to preserve itself, many organizations are now surveying the landscape. What new investment opportunities have presented themselves, and which business trends or technology trends should they definitely take advantage of? Employees and governments are also refocusing: they might choose an entirely new career and/or invest in (re)training. Think in opportunities and new perspectives will present themselves. Passionned Group has, as usual, charted the most important business trends and technology trends while offering all the support an organization needs to be able to face the future. While this list is not exhaustive, we’ve identified the following seven business and technology trends for 2021 that organizations and individuals will definitely have to consider.
5 reasons controllers should delve into AI
September 2020Artificial Intelligence is a hot topic. Applications based on machine learning make the news on a near-daily basis. Smart police cameras steered by algorithms can register drivers holding cell phones with great precision. Algorithms can dynamically determine the real-time prices for taxi rides, hotel rooms, airplane seats, and so on. High-frequency traders are getting rich as they sleep by letting their secret algorithms do the work. Meanwhile, the Dutch Bank, IRS, and other services are experimenting with big data and algorithms. But why should controllers delve into artificial intelligence? Five reasons why a smart controller should become the data analyst of the future.
5 tips for data-driven working
May 2020All those different phases of the PDCA cycle and working with data sound great, but how do you implement it all? How do you get and keep the continuous improvement cycles running? In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, embracing data-driven methodologies isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. Companies that leverage data effectively can streamline their processes, make informed decisions, and gain a competitive edge. By integrating these five key drivers into workflows, organizations can not only initiate but also sustain a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring long-term success and adaptability. To successfully implement data-driven improvement cycles, the five most important drivers are highlighted here. Additionally, a practical example from the healthcare sector is provided, concluding with five tips for institutionalizing new behavior.
8 effective ways to make data science work for you
February 2020Over the past two years, the teachers of the Master of Data Science masterclass have taught dozens of learners the essential principles of data science. The experiences, feedback, and personal ambitions of our students have painted a fairly consistent picture of the data science issues plaguing the workplace. Collating all of their feedback, we’ve distilled eight data science success factors that we’d love to share with you. These factors help businesses streamline data processes and achieve more reliable, actionable insights. By focusing on these success factors, organizations can transform data challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation. The key take-away: let the data work for you instead of vice versa.
Data ethics: 5 golden principles for responsible AI
January 2020Self-learning algorithms are making more and more business decisions independently while also becoming an ever-growing part of our private lives. Decisions made by governments, credit card companies, and banks can now be solely based on algorithms. “Computer says no” usually means end of discussion because the algorithm doesn’t explain itself. The public debates about the use of algorithms and AI trends occur along the intersection of IT, legislation, and ethics. Ethical data dilemmas mainly concern principles such as fairness, transparency, justification, and biases. How do we approach the ethical and moral use of algorithms in the AI age? Although there are currently dozens of codes of conduct for the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and algorithms, many people have an uneasy feeling about this new technology. Even with the best intentions, the misuse of AI can result in unintended consequences and reinforce biases, highlighting the discrepancy between its potential and real-world outcomes.
If the data says go left, you go left
December 2019From a top-down view, data-driven management enables the (necessary) transition from the management-driven style of improvement to actual data-driven improvement. Autonomous, entrepreneurial employees; short-lived, modern customer-focused strategies; and flexible structures are the contours of the intelligent, data-driven organization. These elements foster agility and adaptability, ensuring the organization can swiftly respond to changing market conditions. In short: how do you get from management-driven to data-driven continuous improvement? It involves cultivating a data-centric culture, investing in the right tools and technology, and enhancing data literacy across all levels of the organization.
When every second counts
October 2019“Life-saving BI”, some Dutch magazines called it. “A smart logistical solution made insightful with a dashboard”, Martin Smeekes (director of ambulance care) and Anouk Schoemaker (business and BI manager) humbly describe it. However you call it, the “Call to Balloon” project earned the Safety Region North-Holland North the predicate of Smartest Organization in the Netherlands (2015). And, more importantly, 20 minutes of crucial time for patients with immediate cardiac issues that need angioplasty. Those precious minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
The 7 biggest blunders in Business Analytics
September 2019Passionned Group recently researched the success factors driving Business Analytics. The research also revealed a list of the biggest blunders in Business Analytics & BI projects, which hadn’t been published until now. Here are the biggest blunders to avoid. Take advantage of these experiences that come directly from our consulting practice. Learning these common mistakes will help organizations to better navigate the complexities of Business Analytics and increase their chances of successful implementation. Avoiding these pitfalls will help you optimize your BI investments, enhance decision-making capabilities, and achieve better business outcomes.
Six advantages of data-driven working
August 2019Data-driven improvement cycles help you make the right moves quickly and reliably, fostering continuous improvement through data. But why should people want to do this? Where do they get the intrinsic motivation to want to embrace data-driven working? Why should people want to take charge and be in control? The answer is simple: because data-driven working has a huge number of benefits. Additionally, it respects human autonomy. By leveraging data, organizations can make more informed decisions, drive innovation, and ultimately achieve better outcomes. Embracing this approach not only enhances efficiency but also empowers employees to take ownership of their work, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce. This blog will cover the six most important benefits of data-driven working.
Achieve a 200% Return on Investments with KPIs
July 2019A large real estate company is known for being innovative and having great ambitions. It operates in a dynamic market with many new building opportunities and, partly because of this, the transition from a more task-oriented to a fully process-oriented organization was initiated. The corporation set itself the goal of developing a simple system of key performance indicators (KPIs), key result indicators (KRIs), and performance indicators and then implementing this. Over time, they achieved a KPI return of 200%: the number of vacant homes halved.
Data-driven working: say goodbye to the status quo
July 2019Data analysis, and data-driven working in particular, enables organizations to make the most of their improvement potential. But in order to live up to their fullest potential, some proverbial sacred cows will have to be sacrificed on the altar of progress. So says Daan van Beek, founder of Passionned Group and author of management books such as Data Science for Decision-Makers. The idea of BI as a separate department, for example, is a thing of the past. “But that’s okay, because change releases new energy,” according to Van Beek. “The walls of old between BI specialists who make static reports and business managers have to be broken down. One thing is certain: if the passion and the will aren’t there, data-driven working will never really take off”, Van Beek explains. He’s quick to add that you shouldn’t paint every BI manager with the same brush, of course.
