Volume 17
October 2017 Edition
USMS ( Image courtesy of the U . S . Marshals Service )
The Marshals employ advanced analytics via their Technological Operations Group , which “ is recognized throughout the world as the best electronic surveillance manhunting organization that exists anywhere .”
Many organizations struggle with analytical efficiency even though they have hired many mathematicians and / or data scientists to drive the capability .
– quantitative , qualitative and / or behavioral – to the right decision-maker at the right time .
Interestingly , this approach is consistent with how Bill James used alternative analytics to revolutionize the way the game of baseball was evaluated .
It is also consistent with how early adopters of James ’ s approach , such as the Oakland A ’ s and Boston Red Sox , achieved success .
A key driver of such inefficiency is disconnects between business decision-makers and the mathematicians / analysts “ crunching the numbers .”
For example , we have observed deep separations between analytical and operational activities in some firms , apparently with the view that if elegant models are created , business users will immediately and uncritically adopt them .
Such an approach is rarely effective , and even if it is , the results are often disappointing .
In contrast , organizations with leading analytical capabilities tend to target and link modeling activities directly to specific business decisions and operations .
In fact , they approach model development as a strategic and operational exercise rather than a purely mathematical one .
Their objective is to bring the right information
( Learn More . In this book , twelve writers discuss how Bill James has influenced them , where they disagree with James , and how they see the future of statistical analysis . Courtesy of ACTASports and YouTube )
Admittedly , there can be time lags between the creation of new analytics and their use , just as there was in the game of baseball , which is why such advanced analytics must have specific end-uses in mind when they are created , and why prototypes should be used prior to broader rolled-outs .
Employee Experience The subject of customer experience is currently receiving a great deal of attention , and rightly so .
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