7+ Best Books on Business Intelligence in 2023 (Ranked)

If you’re looking to improve your business intelligence skills, there are a variety of great books out there. In this blog post, we’ll rank the 7 best books on business intelligence and business analytics, based on customer reviews and ratings. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional, these books will help you take your business intelligence roadmap to the next level.

What is Business Intelligence and Why It’s Important

Before we dive into our list of best books on business intelligence, let’s first take a step back and understand what business intelligence (BI) actually is.

At its core, business intelligence is the process of turning big data into insights. This can be done through a variety of methods, including data mining, data visualization, data analysis, and predictive analytics.

By leveraging the best of these techniques, companies are able to gain a competitive advantage and find a successful business intelligence strategy.

What are the Best Books on Business Intelligence?

From data-driven decision-making to predictive analytics, these seven best business intelligence books are sure to provide you with the insights and successful business intelligence strategies needed to succeed.

They cover topics such as big data analysis, business analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, customer segmentation, and marketing automation. Each book provides a comprehensive overview of its respective subject matter while also offering practical advice on how best to implement it within an organization.

1. Learning Tableau 2022 by Joshua N. Milligan

Our first best book on business intelligence is Learning Tableau 2022 by Joshua N. Milligan. This guidebook provides an in-depth look at how to use Tableau, the popular data visualization software, and offers best practices for creating stunning dashboards that provide insights into customer behaviors and trends.

It also covers topics such as data cleaning and preparation, data blending, interactive dashboards and storytelling.

Key Takeaways

Learning Tableau 2022 by Joshua N. Milligan is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to improve their business intelligence capabilities. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the popular data visualization software, including best practices for creating effective dashboards and insights into customer behaviors and trends.

The book covers a wide range of topics such as data preparation, data blending, interactive dashboards and storytelling, making it a great tool for anyone looking to get the best out of Tableau.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional, Learning Tableau 2022 by Joshua N. Milligan is one of the best books on business intelligence that will help you take your BI skills to the next level.

Pros:

• In-depth look at how to best use Tableau

• Covers best practices for creating effective dashboards

• Provides insights into customer behaviors and trends

Cons:

• May be too technical for some readers

• Not all topics covered in depth

2. Microsoft Power BI Quick Start Guide by Devin Knight

Second on our list of best books on business intelligence is Microsoft Power BI Quick Start Guide by Devin Knight.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the popular Microsoft Power BI software and how to best use it for data visualization, analytics and reporting. The book covers topics such as getting started with Power BI, creating visuals and reports, using natural language queries, and best practices for data modeling.

This guidebook is great for those looking to learn more about the powerful capabilities of the Microsoft Power BI platform and how best to leverage them in their organization.

Key Takeaways

Microsoft Power BI Quick Start Guide by Devin Knight is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the popular Power BI software. The book provides best practices for creating visuals and reports, using natural language queries, and best practices for data modeling.

The guidebook is great for those looking to better understand the capabilities of Microsoft Power BI and how best to use them in their organization.

Pros:

• Comprehensive overview of Microsoft Power BI

• Covers best practices for creating visuals and reports

• Explains best practices for data modeling

Cons:

• Some topics are technical in nature and require an understanding of the software

3. Designing Machine Learning Systems by Chip Huyen

Third on our list is Designing Machine Learning Systems by Chip Huyen. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the best practices for designing and building machine learning systems from scratch.

The book covers topics such as data preprocessing, hyperparameter optimization, deep learning architectures, reinforcement learning and best methods for deploying machine learning systems in production.

This guidebook is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn best practices for building and deploying machine learning systems in their organization.

Key Takeaways

Designing Machine Learning Systems by Chip Huyen is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to build and deploy machine learning systems from scratch. The book covers best practices for data preprocessing, hyperparameter optimization, deep learning architectures, reinforcement learning and best methods for deploying machine learning systems in production.

The guidebook is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn best practices for building and deploying machine learning systems in their organization.

Pros:

• Comprehensive overview of best practices for designing and building machine learning systems

• Covers best practices for data preprocessing, hyperparameter optimization and best methods for deploying machine learning systems in production

• Explains best practices for deep learning architectures and reinforcement learning

Cons:

• May be too technical for someone with limited knowledge of data analytics.

4. Cloud FinOps by J.R. Storement & Mike Fuller

Fourth on our best books on business intelligence is Cloud FinOps by J.R. Storement. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the best practices for financial management and operations in the cloud.

The book covers topics such as cloud accounting, billing and cost management, governance and compliance, and best practices for cloud financial operations.

This guidebook is great for those wanting to learn best practices for financial operations and management in their cloud infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

Cloud FinOps by J.R. Storement is a great resource for anyone wanting to understand best practices for financial operations and management in the cloud. The book covers best practices for cloud accounting, data warehousing, billing and cost management, governance and compliance, and best practices for cloud financial operations.

This guidebook is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn best practices for financial operations and management in their cloud infrastructure.

Pros:

• Comprehensive overview of best practices for financial operations and management in the cloud

• Covers best practices for cloud accounting, billing and cost management, governance and compliance

• Explains best practices for cloud financial operations

Cons:

• Advanced topics may be difficult for those with only basic knowledge of business intelligence

and cloud services

• No hands-on exercises or examples to work through

5. Data Science on AWS by Chris Fregly & Antje Barth

Fifth on our best books on business intelligence is Data Science on AWS by Chris Fregly. This book provides a comprehensive overview of best practices for data science and analytics in the cloud, using Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The book covers topics such as data processing and storage, machine learning, deep learning, model training and best practices for deploying data science solutions in production.

This guidebook is great for those wanting to learn best practices for building and deploying data science solutions in their cloud infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

Data Science on AWS by Chris Fregly is a great resource for anyone wanting to understand best practices for data science and analytics in the cloud, using Amazon Web Services (AWS). The book covers best practices for data processing and storage, machine learning, deep learning and best practices for deploying data science solutions in production.

This guidebook is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn best practices for building and deploying data science solutions in their cloud infrastructure.

Pros:

• Comprehensive overview of best practices for data science and analytics in the cloud, using Amazon Web Services (AWS)

• Covers best practices for data processing and storage, machine learning and deep learning

• Explains best practices for deploying data science solutions in production

Cons:

• May be too advanced for those with limited knowledge of the cloud or data science

• May focus too much on AWS and not enough on other cloud platforms

6. The Business Case for AI by Kavita Ganesan

The sixth on our list of best books on business intelligence is The Business Case for AI by Kavita Ganesan. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the business case for artificial intelligence and how to build successful AI projects.

The book covers topics such as identifying opportunities, data-driven decision making, building business cases, data strategy and best practices for implementing AI projects.

This guidebook is a great resource for anyone wanting to understand how to create successful artificial intelligence projects.

Key Takeaways

The Business Case for AI by Kavita Ganesan is a great resource for anyone wanting to understand the business case for artificial intelligence and how to build successful AI projects. The book covers best practices for identifying opportunities, data-driven decision making, building business cases and best practices for implementing AI projects.

This guidebook is a great resource for anyone wanting to understand how to create successful artificial intelligence projects.

Pros:

• Comprehensive overview of the business case for artificial intelligence and how to build successful AI projects

• Covers best practices for identifying opportunities, data-driven decision making, building business cases and best practices for implementing AI projects

Cons:

• The book does not cover non-AI topics.

• Some of the topics can be too technical for beginner readers.

7. Excel 2022 by Timothy Keet

Seventh on our list of best books on business intelligence is Excel 2022 by Timothy Keet. This book provides an in-depth look at the latest version of Microsoft Excel, providing clear instructions and visual aids to help readers become more efficient with data analysis and information management tools.

The book covers topics such as working with data, using formulas, creating charts and graphs, using pivot tables and more.

This guidebook is a great resource for anyone wanting to become an expert user of Microsoft Excel 2022.

Key Takeaways

Excel 2022 by Timothy Keet is a great resource for anyone wanting to understand the latest version of Microsoft Excel. The book covers best practices for working with data, using formulas, creating charts and graphs, using pivot tables and more.

This guidebook is a great resource for anyone wanting to become an expert user of Microsoft Excel 2022.

Pros:

• Comprehensive overview of the features in Microsoft Excel 2022

• Covers best practices for working with data, using formulas, creating charts and graphs, using pivot tables and more

Cons:

• The book does not cover non-Excel topics.

• Some of the topics can be too technical for beginner readers.

How to best utilize these books for maximum learning potential

To get the most out of these business intelligence books, it is important to read the book thoroughly and take notes as you go.

Additionally, be sure to apply what you have learned by taking part in online courses or practice projects that use the topics from each book. This will help reinforce your knowledge and aid your understanding of the material.

Finally, keep up to date with the latest trends in big data, business intelligence, and data analytics. This will ensure that you are always able to stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions for your business.

FAQ

What is business intelligence?

Business intelligence (BI) refers to the process of gathering, storing, and analyzing data to help businesses make better decisions.

What are the benefits of using business intelligence in my business?

Business intelligence can help businesses gain insights into customer behavior, optimize their processes and operations, improve the accuracy of forecasts and predictions, and identify new business opportunities.

How can I learn more about business analytics and big data?

There are many ways to learn more about business analytics and big data. One way is to read books on the topic, such as those listed in this guide. Additionally, taking online courses or participating in practice projects can help you gain a better understanding of the concepts and techniques used in business analytics and big data. Finally, keeping up with the latest trends in business intelligence and data analytics will help you stay informed of changes and advancements in the field.

What skills do I need to become successful in business intelligence?

To become successful in business intelligence, you need to have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a deep understanding of data analysis techniques, familiarity with business intelligence software, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Are there any online courses or practice projects related to business intelligence that I can participate in?

Yes, there are many online courses and practice projects related to business intelligence. Many of these are offered by universities or data science platforms, such as Coursera, Udacity, and DataCamp. These courses will provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to gain a better understanding of business intelligence concepts and techniques.

Do I need to have a background in computer science to be successful in business intelligence?

No, you do not need to have a background in computer science to be successful in business intelligence. However, some knowledge of programming languages, such as SQL, can be beneficial for certain tasks. Additionally, having a fundamental understanding of mathematics and statistics will help you better interpret data and draw meaningful insights from it.

Wrapping Up

The seven books discussed in this article provide an excellent overview of business intelligence and data analytics. They cover a wide range of topics including identifying opportunities, data-driven decision making, building business cases, successful business intelligence strategies, and best practices for implementing AI projects.

By taking the time to read these books and apply the knowledge gained from them into practice, you will be able to benefit from a comprehensive understanding of business intelligence and data analytics. This will also help you develop a business intelligence roadmap. Good luck!