Delivering Business Analytics: Practical Guidelines for Best Practice

Preface

I had an interesting conversation during a book signing for my previous book, The Value of Business Analytics. I’d just come off a fairly intense trip that included talking to hundreds of executives about how they could drive better value through the use of business analytics. Over drinks after one event, I ended up talking to a friendly fellow who, rather apologetically it must be said, seemed like he had something to share.

It took a while, but after enough prompting he eventually built the courage to tell me what was on his mind. Paraphrasing, it was that “I liked your book but it didn’t seem like you’d explained anything I didn’t already know. . . . ”

Of all the possible reactions he was expecting, I think laughter had to be pretty far down the list! Much to his surprise, I wholeheartedly agreed with him; objectively, I don’t think anyone would disagree with anything I’ve written. Pragmatically, I think much of it is self-obvious. What fascinates me more than anything else is that so few teams actually do what’s apparently self-obvious. If everyone did, business analytics wouldn’t be seen as an arcane, confusing, and arguably mystical discipline.

Arthur C. Clarke once said that any piece of sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Like it or not, that’s where we sit with business analytics; those who haven’t been skilled in the secret ways by past masters are left at a significant disadvantage.

The Value of Business Analytics was written for ...