Becoming a Data Head

Introduction

Data is perhaps the single most important aspect to your job, whether you want it to be or not. And you're likely reading this book because you want to be able to understand what it's all about.

To begin, it's worth stating what has almost become cliché: we create and consume more information than ever before. Without a doubt, we are in the age of data. And this age of data has created an entire industry of promises, buzzwords, and products many of which you, your managers, colleagues, and subordinates are or will be using. But, despite the claims and proliferation of data promises and products, data science projects are failing at alarming rates.¹

To be sure, we're not saying all data promises are empty or all products are terrible. Rather, to truly get your head around this space, you must embrace a fundamental truth: this stuff is complex. Working with data is about numbers, nuance, and uncertainty. Data is important, yes, but it's rarely simple. And yet, there is an entire industry that would have us think otherwise. An industry that promises certainty in an uncertain world and plays on companies’ fear of missing out. We, the authors, call this the Data Science Industrial Complex.

THE DATA SCIENCE INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

It's a problem for everyone involved. Businesses endlessly pursue products that will do their thinking for them. Managers hire analytics professionals who really aren't. Data scientists are hired to work in companies that aren't ready for them. ...