By implementing the BI4SME project, we aimed to achieve several key objectives: -Democratize Business Intelligence (BI) Technology: Our primary goal was to make BI tools accessible to non-IT professionals, particularly within SMEs, to enhance their data-driven decision-making capabilities and overall competitiveness. -Enhance Digital Skills: We sought to equip SME managers and staff with essential BI skills through an integrated training strategy, thus addressing the significant digital skills gap identified in the EU's digital transformation goals. -Foster SME Growth and Innovation: By providing tailored BI training, we aimed to foster innovation and growth within SMEs, enabling them to leverage data for better operational efficiency and strategic planning. -Develop Comprehensive Training Materials: We planned to create a baseline knowledge pack, a BI skills training model, and online courses aligned with ECVET standards, making them accessible to non-IT professionals. -Promote EU Educational Priorities: Through our innovative VET curricula, we aimed to contribute to the EU's educational priorities, particularly in adapting vocational education to labor market needs and supporting digital readiness and resilience.
As part of the EU's commitment to digitalizing the economy, it is stated that “data-driven business models are the engine of Europe’s growth, industrial transformation, and job creation.” Businesses that apply data-based management techniques improve their operational efficiency and drive innovation. Insights-driven businesses, as highlighted in the Forrester Research Report (2018), grow at an annual rate of over 30%. However, according to the EU Report on "Accelerating the digital transformation of European industry and enterprises," SMEs still lag in adopting digital technologies due to excessive data volumes, lack of information, and knowledge. Consequently, SME managers often rely on experience for decision-making, which increases the risk of failure. SME managers often rely on experience, risking failure. Gartner's surveys rank BI systems as a top priority for growth. Despite the benefits of BI, SMEs face challenges such as complexity, high costs, lack of specialized IT staff, and owners' limited technological expertise. Promoting data-driven management skills is essential for SME competitiveness. Overcoming these challenges is essential for SMEs to fully leverage the benefits of BI systems.