Efficiency and Insight — A Power BI Solution for Transforming Risk Management

The Portfolio Risk Team of the North American subsidiary holding of a prominent financial institution from Japan is headquartered in New York. This team oversees risk management for a portfolio that includes several corporate banking and investment banking entities within the region. With a strategic focus on mitigating financial risks, analyzing market trends, and ensuring regulatory compliance, the team plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability and growth of the institution’s operations in North America.

The primary challenge faced by the client was the imperative to compile monthly data inputs from various departments and teams into a comprehensive view for the Board of Directors and regulatory bodies. This process required the aggregation of disparate data points scattered across databases, spreadsheets, and presentation slides. It was plagued by error-prone manual work and extended turnaround times for the team responsible for creating the extensive 200-page presentation. As a result, data visualization and automation proved to be particularly challenging, necessitating a simplified approach that often limited visual representations to basic text and tables due to the complex and time-consuming nature of content gathering and orchestration.

Delivery

Arrayo’s approach involved data mining, comprehensive interviews, and the strategic use of technology. We implemented Microsoft Power BI for data integration, and SharePoint for automation, and carefully scheduled the project to optimize resource utilization during access acquisition waiting periods.

• Power BI Integration: Leveraging Microsoft Power BI, we created a robust data modeling framework that seamlessly integrated various data sources. This not only streamlined the data aggregation process but also enabled the creation of visually appealing and insightful dashboards and reports.
• Resource Optimization: We strategically planned the comprehensive transformation to coincide with concurrent projects, allowing for optimized resource utilization during the acquisition waiting period. This approach ensured minimal disruption to ongoing operations.
• Continuous Improvement: Arrayo remained committed to continuous improvement throughout the project, iterating on the solution based on feedback and evolving client needs. This approach ensured that the final solution was not only effective but also adaptable to future changes.

We used Power BI’s data modeling to link various data sources into one clear model, making it easy to create visual representations that everyone could understand. We also automated much of the data collection process with SharePoint, getting rid of the slow, inefficient methods and letting each team have more control without redoing everything. These new, creative visuals provided better insights from the data. Although spanning approximately six months, this comprehensive transformation was strategically timed to coincide with concurrent projects, optimizing resource utilization during the access acquisition waiting period.

Value

Improved efficiency, faster data gathering, and faster decision-making on key risk:

• Efficiency Improvement: Arrayo’s solution streamlined data compilation, reducing manual effort and resource consumption.
• Faster Data Gathering: SharePoint automation accelerated the process, ensuring timely data for reporting.
• Accelerated Decision-Making: Real-time Power BI insights enabled quicker, data-driven risk management decisions.
• Enhanced Risk Mitigation: Improved data accuracy allowed proactive risk mitigation, ensuring operational stability.
• Improved Compliance: Streamlined reporting reduced the risk of regulatory penalties and bolstered compliance.
• Data-Driven Insights: Power BI’s visualization facilitated deeper portfolio analysis and strategic decision-making.
• Team Empowerment: SharePoint automation empowered teams with control over data contributions, enhancing data quality.
• Resource Optimization: Project timing optimized resource allocation, minimizing operational disruption.

Throughout the project, several valuable lessons were learned:

• Data Quality Matters: The importance of data quality cannot be overstated. Addressing data quality issues early in the project prevented downstream problems and ensured the accuracy of insights.
• Collaboration is Key: Close collaboration with the client’s team and stakeholders was instrumental in understanding the nuances of their operations and tailoring the solution to their specific requirements.
• Automation Streamlines Processes: Automating data collection processes significantly improved efficiency and reduced the risk of errors associated with manual data entry.
• Flexibility is Essential: The ability to adapt to changing project dynamics and requirements is crucial in delivering a successful solution.
• Data Visualization Enhances Decision-Making: Effective data visualization tools, such as Power BI, can transform complex data into actionable insights, facilitating faster and more informed decision-making.
• Timing is Strategic: Timing the project to coincide with other related initiatives can optimize resource allocation and minimize disruption to ongoing operations.

By leveraging data mining, collaboration, automation, and advanced visualization tools, we achieved the following positive outcomes:

• Improved Efficiency: The streamlined data collection process and automated workflows led to a substantial increase in efficiency, reducing the time and effort required to compile critical data.
• Faster Decision-Making: With access to real-time, visually rich insights, the client’s Board of Directors and regulatory bodies could make faster, more informed decisions regarding risk management.
• Enhanced Risk Mitigation: The improved data accuracy and timely reporting enabled the client to better identify and mitigate financial risks, contributing to the stability and growth of their operations in North America.

In conclusion, Arrayo’s innovative approach not only resolved the client’s immediate challenges but also positioned them for long-term success in the dynamic financial landscape. Our commitment to collaboration, data-driven insights, and automation delivered tangible benefits that will continue to drive positive impacts for our clients in the future.