Data Analytics Initiatives

Analytics work is hard to pin down, and this book offers a way to sort it into meaningful groups so that its most demanding elements become easier to see. It starts from the premise that no two analytics projects are alike, yet they share a set of traits that distinguish them from other kinds of projects. Recognising those shared traits gives readers a conceptual grasp of what analytical work involves. The author also stresses that the particular characteristics of each initiative shape its whole lifecycle, so applying generic methods without adjusting them to the project in hand can cause it to fall short.

Beyond the basic characteristics and how to classify them, the book examines specific kinds of analytics projects and gives a high-level view of each one's risk profile. It also discusses the problems and difficulties that arise most often. For readers who need to size up a project, it supplies sample questions to put to the people involved. These questions help place a project in context and bring to light both its common features and the challenges it is likely to face.