MIT OpenCourseWare http://ocw.mit.edu 15.571 Generating Business Value from Information Technology Spring 2009 For information about citing these materials or our Terms of Use, visit: http://ocw.mit.edu/terms.
Class 8: The Data Driven Organization 15.571 Generating Business Value From Information Technology Jeanne W. Ross Director & Principal Research Scientist MIT Sloan School of Management 2009 MIT Sloan CISR - Ross
The Delta Air Lines Story 1997 As-is 17 functional silos 17 IT units 17 major platforms 17 answers to a single customer question 1997 To-be Process view of the firm Corporate infrastructure to support cross-functional processes Standardized environment Focus on customer In 1997, Delta was worst performing airline on key metrics, such as on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and customer complaints Source: e-business at Delta Air Lines, Jeanne W. Ross, MIT CISR Working Paper #317, 2001. 2009 MIT Sloan CISR - Ross 1
Delta s Unification Operating Model Operational Pipeline Allocate Resources Prepare for Flight Departure Load Aircraft Flight Departure and Closeout Monitor Flight Flight Arrival and Closeout Unload Aircraft Clean/ Service Aircraft Pagers Gate Readers Kiosks Hand Helds Voice Video Business Reflexes Cell Phones Desktops Delta Nervous System Electronic Events Location Flight Schedule Maint. Equip. Employee Aircraft Customer Ticket Nine Core Databases Employee Relationship Management PDAs Laptops Scanners Reservation Systems Skylinks Skymiles Reservations Travel Agent Skycap Ticket Counter Crown Room Boarding Personalization Digital Relationships Loyalty Programs Customer Experience Inflight Baggage Source: Adapted from Delta Air Lines documents. Used with permission. 2009 MIT Sloan CISR - Ross 2
Discussion Questions What did Delta do right in its transformation efforts? What risks did Delta take on as a result of the Delta Nervous System project? How did Delta's approach to going from Worst to First compare with Continental's? 2009 MIT Sloan CISR - Ross 3
Comparative Financials for Continental and Delta 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 Continental Operating Revenue $14,232 $13,128 $11,208 $9,899 $9,001 Operating Income 687 468 (39) (238) 188 Delta Operating Revenue $13,358 1 $17,532 $16,480 $15,235 $14,308 Operating Income 796 1 58 (2,001) (3,308) (785) Current Market Cap: Delta: $1.55 B Continental: $1.24 B 1 Delta 2007 figures are for first 8 months of fiscal year 2009 MIT Sloan CISR - Ross
Market Comparison for Delta and Continental Delta Air Lines New 0% -20% -40% CAL -60% -80% DAL -100% 60 May07 Sep07 Jan08 May08 Sep08 Jan09 Millions 40 20 0.0 Volume as of 27-Feb-2009 Figure by MIT OpenCourseWare. 2009 MIT Sloan CISR - Ross 5
Contrasting Approaches to "Fixing" Operating Data Ripping out legacy and installing new systems presents the challenge of the "big bang" (i.e. risky, high-cost implementation). Installing "fixes" like data warehouses and web services presents the challenge of constant maintenance (i.e., costly upkeep). Fixing applications provides opportunities for operational efficiencies. Fixing data warehouse provides opportunities for decision support. Both approaches allow a firm to operate the way it wants to operate. Both approaches demand business process changes to drive value. 2009 MIT Sloan CISR - Ross 6
Key Findings on the Information Explosion Data storage requirements are growing Granular operating data Unstructured data, video, wikis, email, images Technology solutions can manage costs and risks but that's the easy part Don't assume that putting good information in the hands of smart people = business value Identify what is sacred/core Define clear business goals Insist on definitive costs and benefits Change something 2009 MIT Sloan CISR - Ross 7