Although adoption rates for BI/analytics tools remain stuck in the 20% range, usage is increasing. Usage growth is primarily fueled by “off-license” usage from front-line workers using BI/analytics output embedded in operational applications as well as external users (e.g., customers and suppliers) using external-facing reports and dashboards. These new usage trends are most prevalent among leading adopters of data & analytics (e.g., best-in-class companies) as well as North American companies, which are traditionally more aggressive in adopting new technologies and approaches than their European counterparts. 

In addition, new self-service tools, such as GUI-based authoring and data preparation tools, are making it easier for businesspeople to service their own data needs without IT assistance. Also, data catalogs make it easier for these business users to discover useful data, and new ad hoc query capabilities, namely BI search and augmented analytics, are starting to propel higher levels of BI/analytics adoption and usage. 

At the same time, organizations are applying 30 years of hard-won knowledge about how to overcome barriers to adoption and usage. Specifically, organizations are implementing data governance programs and data quality workflows to improve data accuracy, completeness, and consistency. They are launching data literacy programs with coaching and support networks to improve knowledge and skills required to use BI/analytics tools effectively. Most importantly, executives are becoming more data-driven, providing leadership, funding, and personal examples to foster a robust culture of data and analytics usage.