the analytic hero’s journey
TRANSCRIPT
BLUE HILL RESEARCH
The Analytic Hero’s Journey
December 11, 2014
James Haight
STASIS TRIGGER THE QUEST SURPRISE
CRITICAL CHOICE CLIMAX REVERSAL RESOLUTION
What is the status quo?
How have you
benchmarked your
environment?
How did you identify
the need for change?
What are the key
contributors and
metrics to measure?
Reality always sets in
with unexpected
findings?
Can you make a
decision based on your
metrics?
The result of the
decision.
Unexpected benefits,
consequences, or
followups.
Current state.
Joseph Campbelland
The Analytic Hero’s Journey
Stasis is often confused with analysis:
basic dashboards and ongoing log and
time-series analyses.
STASIS
What is the status quo?
benchmark your environment.
EVEN SO,
$24,300
$16,500
$0 $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 $25,000 $30,000
Well documented Sales
Poorly documented Sales
Sale
s t
yp
e
Average Amount of Sale
TRIGGER
How did you identify the need for change?
Best shown as
a simple comparison
Month List
1 25
2 50
3 100
THE QUEST
What are the key contributors and metrics to measure?
This is often the most
challenging set.
Prioritize based on the key triggers.
Don’t just add metrics because you can.
When your analysis
provides unexpected
results, don’t rule them
out just because they
don’t fit into your
personal world view.
$5,000,000
$(6,000,000)
$(20,000,000)
$(25,000,000)
$(20,000,000)
$(15,000,000)
$(10,000,000)
$(5,000,000)
$-
$5,000,000
$10,000,000
2013 2014 2015
Year
Pro
jecte
d R
even
ue
SURPRISE
Reality always sets in with unexpected findings.
CRITICAL CHOICE
Can you make a decision based on your metrics?
Have you transformed a process?
Have you saved money?
Have you increased your customer base?
CLIMAX
The result of the decision.
This is where you show off your success!
RESOLUTION
Current state
Bring back your Status-era dashboard,
show your results, and include all new
data and findings.
James Haight
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Research AnalystJames Haight is a research analyst at Blue Hill Research focusing on data visualization, analytics, and emerging enterprise technologies. He also hosts Blue Hill's Emerging Tech Roundup Podcast, which features interviews with industry leaders and CEOs on the forefront of a variety of emerging technologies. Prior to Blue Hill Research, James worked in Radford Consulting's Executive and Board of Director Compensation practice, specializing in the high tech and life sciences industries. Currently he serves on the strategic advisory board of the Bentley Microfinance Group, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to community development through funding and consulting entrepreneurs in the Greater Boston area.
@James_Haight https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesthaight