Abstract
Data analytics is applied in various fields, including business performance forecasting, but companies struggle with its implementation. Following a cross-sectional field study approach, we make two contributions. First, we elaborate on the central role played by the head controller in generating trust in analytics solutions and thus, making the project successful. Second, we identify three patterns in the way companies plan, implement, and then use data analytics in the context of business performance forecasting. The two successful patterns are the ones that start with a limited but tangible objective (either in term of information precision, or rapidity of processing) that can be expended in a second time.