How UAI Members Tackle Business Value in Analytics
Defining the Business Value of Analytics Use Cases
UAI members expressed a shared challenge to define, evaluate, and communicate the value of analytics use cases measurably and consistently to a wide range of internal stakeholders. While analytics ideas and use cases are frequently discussed, the standards used to evaluate the business value of those use cases and prioritize analytics projects can vary significantly from one organization to another, and even across projects within the same organization.
Without standardized evaluation criteria, it becomes difficult to compare analytics use cases competing for the same resources, make informed recommendations to leadership, or apply a consistent basis for decision-making across an evolving analytics project portfolio.
A Member-Driven Approach to Defining Business Value
This challenge was identified by the UAI Strategic Advisory Board as a high-priority initiative. Rather than approaching it as an abstract exercise, members formed a dedicated workgroup to focus on practical, real-world situations.
Participating organizations collaborated to clarify objectives, explore different approaches used within their own utilities, and examine ideas through discussion and applied examples. The emphasis throughout the process was on creating a tool available to all UAI members.
Introducing the UAI Value Matrix for Analytics Use Cases
The result of this collaborative effort was the UAI Value Matrix. The Value Matrix is a flexible framework designed to help organizations define, evaluate, and communicate the value of analytics use cases in a structured and repeatable way.
Rather than prescribing a single method, the framework was developed to be adaptable. Members can apply this customizable tool to their own strategies, maturity levels, and decision-making processes. The Value Matrix serves as a practical starting point that utilities can expand, refine, and operationalize over time.
The Business Value of UAI Membership
The Value Matrix is just one example of how UAI membership supports utilities as they address industry challenges. UAI membership facilitates ongoing professional collaboration, networking, and problem-solving across the community. Through UAI membership, organizations participate in online community conversations with their peers, member-led workgroups, and pilot programs for defined solutions. These interactions engage members in discussion about industry challenges and opportunities, helping them move from isolated ideas toward more intentional approaches informed by experience and collective insight.
It’s All About Community
UAI membership brings together utilities of all shapes and sizes, each contributing unique perspectives drawn from a variety of operating environments. Through this community, utilities see how peers are addressing similar situations in different operating contexts, helping members incorporate innovative ideas.
Learn More About UAI
Additional information about UAI membership and how members collaborate around analytics in real-world contexts is available on the About UAI page. The UAI team is available to discuss how these member-driven efforts are structured and how member organizations engage with the community.
Kevin Praet, Membership Coordinator: kpraet@utilityanalytics.com
James Wingate, Membership Development Manager: jwingate@utilityanalytics.com
About the Author
Leslie Cook, Manager, Membership, Engagement & Training Utility Analytics Institute (UAI)
Leslie Cook is a strategic program director, dynamic business leader, and expert facilitator with 30 years of professional experience. Leslie’s peers describe her as a passionate, authentic, action-oriented leader with a goal driven attitude and enthusiasm for creating connections and collaborations. She excels at developing and managing frontline programs that position companies and their products for sustainable revenue growth and delivering customer-focused solutions that demonstrate product value, build long-term loyalty, and foster client engagement and retention. Cook’s background includes extensive work with associations and institutes in program development and management, marketing communications, event management, branding, and sales/new business development. She holds a BA in public relations from Texas Tech University and served in various program director and marketing roles for the Utility Analytics Institute (An Endeavor Business Media company), Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), HDI (an Informa company), and the Global Semiconductor Alliance (formerly Fabless Semiconductor Association). When she is not out facilitating cutting-edge programs or creating unforgettable member experiences, Leslie can be found traveling the world and also enjoying all that Colorado has to offer, from hiking, swimming, and outdoor excursions with her fur babies, to antiquing for the best mid-century modern finds and blown glass of all kinds. She also leverages her high attention to detail and project management skills when dabbling in home remodeling and interior design, two of her favorite pastimes.
