The Analytics Lifecycle Toolkit

The Analytics Lifecycle Toolkit

by Gregory S. Nelson
Released March 2018
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9781119425069

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Book description

An evidence-based organizational framework for exceptional analytics team results

The Analytics Lifecycle Toolkit provides managers with a practical manual for integrating data management and analytic technologies into their organization. Author Gregory Nelson has encountered hundreds of unique perspectives on analytics optimization from across industries; over the years, successful strategies have proven to share certain practices, skillsets, expertise, and structural traits. In this book, he details the concepts, people and processes that contribute to exemplary results, and shares an organizational framework for analytics team functions and roles. By merging analytic culture with data and technology strategies, this framework creates understanding for analytics leaders and a toolbox for practitioners. Focused on team effectiveness and the design thinking surrounding product creation, the framework is illustrated by real-world case studies to show how effective analytics team leadership works on the ground.

Tools and templates include best practices for process improvement, workforce enablement, and leadership support, while guidance includes both conceptual discussion of the analytics life cycle and detailed process descriptions. Readers will be equipped to:

  • Master fundamental concepts and practices of the analytics life cycle
  • Understand the knowledge domains and best practices for each stage
  • Delve into the details of analytical team processes and process optimization
  • Utilize a robust toolkit designed to support analytic team effectiveness

The analytics life cycle includes a diverse set of considerations involving the people, processes, culture, data, and technology, and managers needing stellar analytics performance must understand their unique role in the process of winnowing the big picture down to meaningful action. The Analytics Lifecycle Toolkit provides expert perspective and much-needed insight to managers, while providing practitioners with a new set of tools for optimizing results.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Preface
  4. Acknowledgments
    1. REFERENCES
  5. PART I: The Foundation of Analytics
    1. CHAPTER 1: Analytics Overview
      1. FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
      2. ANALYTICS CONCEPTS
      3. THE METHODS OF ANALYTICS
      4. THE GOAL OF ANALYTICS
      5. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      6. REFERENCES
      7. NOTE
    2. CHAPTER 2: The People of Analytics
      1. WHO DOES ANALYTICS?
      2. ROLES PEOPLE PLAY
      3. CRITICAL COMPETENCIES FOR ANALYTICS
      4. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      5. REFERENCES
      6. NOTES
    3. CHAPTER 3: Organizational Context for Analytics
      1. ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY AND ANALYTICS ALIGNMENT
      2. ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
      3. ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN FOR ANALYTICS
      4. WHICH ORGANIZATIONAL DESIGN IS BEST?
      5. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      6. REFERENCES
    4. CHAPTER 4: Data Strategy, Platforms, and Architecture
      1. DATA STRATEGY
      2. STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
      3. DEVELOPING A DATA STRATEGY ROADMAP
      4. AN AGILE APPROACH TO DEVELOPING YOUR DATA STRATEGY
      5. DATA STRATEGY SUMMARY
      6. PLATFORMS AND ARCHITECTURE ANALYTICS
      7. ANALYTICS ARCHITECTURE
      8. DATA FOR PURPOSE OR POTENTIAL
      9. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      10. REFERENCES
  6. PART II: Analytics Lifecycle Best Practices
    1. CHAPTER 5: The Analytics Lifecycle Toolkit
      1. ANALYTICS LIFECYCLE BEST PRACTICE AREAS
      2. ANALYTICS AS A PRODUCT OF DATA SCIENCE
      3. GOALS OF ANALYTICS
      4. SCALE AND SCOPE OF ANALYTICS PRODUCTS
      5. HOW THE ANALYTICS LIFECYCLE TOOLKIT IS ORGANIZED
      6. DESIGN THINKING FOR ANALYTICS
      7. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      8. REFERENCES
    2. CHAPTER 6: Problem Framing
      1. PROCESS OVERVIEW
      2. WHY DO THIS?
      3. PROCESS AREAS
      4. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      5. TOOLKIT SUMMARY
      6. REFERENCES
    3. CHAPTER 7: Data Sensemaking
      1. PROCESS OVERVIEW
      2. PROCESS AREAS
      3. MAINTAINING AN ANALYTICS JOURNAL
      4. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      5. TOOLKIT SUMMARY
      6. REFERENCES
    4. CHAPTER 8: Analytics Model Development
      1. PROCESS OVERVIEW
      2. PROCESS AREAS
      3. MAKING COMPARISONS
      4. MEASURING ASSOCIATIONS
      5. MAKING PREDICTIONS
      6. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      7. PROBLEM SUMMARY AND EXERCISES
      8. TOOLKIT SUMMARY
      9. REFERENCES
    5. CHAPTER 9: Results Activation
      1. PROCESS OVERVIEW
      2. SOLUTION EVALUATION
      3. OPERATIONALIZATION
      4. PRESENTATION AND STORYTELLING
      5. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      6. EXERCISE
      7. TOOLKIT SUMMARY
      8. REFERENCES
      9. NOTE
    6. CHAPTER 10: Analytics Product Management
      1. PROCESS OVERVIEW
      2. PROCESS AREAS
      3. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      4. REFERENCES
  7. PART III: Sustaining Analytics Success
    1. CHAPTER 11: Actioning Analytics
      1. THE POWER OF ANALYTICS
      2. EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE ANALYTICS PROGRAMS
      3. WHY OPERATIONALIZATION OF ANALYTICS FAILS
      4. CHANGE MANAGEMENT
      5. BEST PRACTICES FOR LEADING CHANGE
      6. TROUBLESHOOTING CHANGE
      7. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      8. REFERENCES
    2. CHAPTER 12: Core Competencies for Analytics Teams
      1. INTRODUCTION
      2. ANALYTICS COMPETENCIES DETAILED
      3. IDEALIZED COMPETENCIES FOR ANALYTICS JOB FAMILIES BY KNOWLEDGE DOMAIN
      4. CHAPTER SUMMARY
      5. REFERENCE
    3. CHAPTER 13: The Future of Analytics
      1. THE ANALYTICS LIFECYCLE AS A FRAMEWORK
      2. THE ROLE OF ANALYTICS IN OUR FUTURE
      3. FINAL THOUGHTS
      4. REFERENCES
  8. About the Author
  9. About the Companion Web Site
  10. Index
  11. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: The Analytics Lifecycle Toolkit
  • Author(s): Gregory S. Nelson
  • Release date: March 2018
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9781119425069