There have been numerous conversations with clients about how to build insightful reports within the Apptio platform, specifically Cost Transparency.  There are multiple approaches clients may take when hunting for insights and all of them can be categorized as correct.  I will limit this post to a simple concept that I always lean back on and have learned and taught in the field.  MODEL FOR A PURPOSE!  So you have done your due diligence and connected datalink to bring in 400+ different data sets from different data sources across your organization.  Well done! Most likely, you are using these data sets within your ATUM model, which gives you the opportunity to utilize the 400 use cases within the model.  There are sure to be insight opportunities within the OOTB and you should discuss with your CSM.

The point of this discussion is you are not limited to insights based off the modeled data.  You have an opportunity to review the different data sets and use the Apptio solution to pivot the different data sets to find interesting insights.  What do I mean?  What would be a good example?  There are a few in the Insights Cookbook to name a few.  These do not have to be model dependent.  They can be custom data sets where you appended them together or create a new model to come to a conclusion.  Do you have supplier invoices and an asset list?  Pivot and you can begin analysis and insight hunting on contract negotiations.  In theory, you could have several different models to derive different insights.  Of course, listen to the business, formulate the problem statement or question, identify the requirements and outputs, and then "MODEL FOR A PURPOSE".  Please reach out to your CSM for a more in-depth discussion.

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