Commentary: Aging Workforce Triggers Need for Business Intelligence

Dr. Ramon C. Barquin, President of Barquin International, believes that business intelligence will play a pivotal role in dealing with the ramifications of the aging of our nation’s population. Writing for the Business Intelligence Network, he says that the aging population will have a direct impact on the workforce--there "will not be near as many arms and legs to do the nation’s work. We will have to import more people, outsource the work abroad or find different ways to do the actual work. In all probability, we will do a combination of the three across the industrial spectrum, but there will be significant impact and change on the workplace."

However, rather than heralding the news that America is aging, Barquin says that it is important to point out enterprises--as well as the nation as a whole--have to start making decisions for which business intelligence will play an important assisting role. "What are we going to do about the shrinking workforce? Do we outsource more work? Do we increase immigration? Do we restructure work processes? How? What? When? Where? Only through the rigorous and methodic application of business intelligence can we actually get the answers right."

Source: "Business Intelligence and the Aging" Business Intelligence Network (April 13, 2006)