Analytics Magazine Analytics Magazine, September/October 2014 | Page 36

My th s of A n a ly t i c s key to effective decision-making. The other two-thirds either go exclusively with their gut or trust analysis over judgment. The study highlights the challenge that even sound insights can have in driving good decision-making due to broader organizational issues. According to an accompanying article in the Harvard Business Review, “At this very moment, there’s an odds-on chance that someone in your organization is making a poor decision on the basis of information that was enormously expensive to collect.” (Read more.) Takeaway: Quality output is only half the battle when it comes to impactful analytics and insights. The other half of the battle lies in an organization’s ability to take action effectively. 10. Great insights sell themselves You conducted a momentous research project or developed a groundbreaking business intelligence system. Why wouldn’t your work attract fans and lead to positive change? Industry track records, however, suggest most projects fail to accomplish their goals. (Read more.) Poor problem definition and operational snafus are common challenges. But even projects with clearly defined objectives and smooth implementation can fall short of expectations in the 36 | a n a ly t i c s - m a g a z i n e . o r g absence of effective communication and stakeholder engagement. According to the Project Management Institute, among organizations considered highly effective communicators, 80 percent of projects meet original goals vs. only 52 percent at their minimally effective counterparts. (Read more.) Takeaway: Projects without a wellcrafted stakeholder engagement and communication plan will likely have little chance of success from the get-go. New data sources and diag