Most companies have massive amounts of data at their disposal, yet fail to utilize it in any meaningful way. But a powerful new business tool - analytics - is enabling many firms to aggressively leverage their data in key business decisions and processes, with impressive results.

In their previous book, Competing on Analytics, Thomas Davenport and Jeanne Harris showed how pioneering firms were building their entire strategies around their analytical capabilities. Rather than "going with the gut" when pricing products, maintaining inventory, or hiring talent, managers in these firms use data, analysis, and systematic reasoning to make decisions that improve efficiency, risk-management, and profits.

Now, in Analytics at Work, Davenport, Harris, and coauthor Robert Morison reveal how any manager can effectively deploy analytics in day-to-day operations—one business decision at a time. They show how many types of analytical tools, from statistical analysis to qualitative measures like systematic behavior coding, can improve decisions about everything from what new product offering might interest customers to whether marketing dollars are being most effectively deployed.

Based on all-new research and illustrated with examples from companies including Humana, Best Buy, Progressive Insurance, and Hotels.com, this implementation-focused guide outlines the five-step DELTA model for deploying and succeeding with analytical initiatives. You'll learn how to:

· Use data more effectively and glean valuable analytical insights
· Manage and coordinate data, people, and technology at an enterprise level
· Understand and support what analytical leaders do
· Evaluate and choose realistic targets for analytical activity
· Recruit, hire, and manage analysts

Combining the science of quantitative analysis with the art of sound reasoning, Analytics at Work provides a road map and tools for unleashing the potential buried in your company's data.

Reader Reviews

Foad Ansari

(2/5)

Apr 18, 2024

تا وسط های کتاب مباحث خوبی مطرح میشه ولی از صفحه 90 به بعد هذیان نویسنده و پراکنده گویی شروع میشه و خواندنش خسته کننده ست

Aaron Bolin

(4/5)

Analytics at Work is billed as a how to guide for managers to "effectively deploy analytics in their day-to-day" operations (from the inside cover). Though I enjoyed the book, I don't believe that a reasonable person could say that it lives up to the promise. Instead, Davenport and his co-authors provide a very general framework that lacks the advertised day-to-day details required for deployment.I found the book to be interesting and quite useful from a "oh, I hadn't thought of that..." perspec...

Mehwish

(1/5)

It is not what I was looking for very basic talking about obvious things (n)

Cliff Chew

This book is quite easy to read, although it's focus isn't on statistical models and analyses. However, it does cover very interesting issues that firms and analysts face when they are approaching analytics in their workplaces. We hardly live and work in silos, so many of the issues mentioned in this book are pretty interesting perceptions to take back. I do even see some of the situations explained in the book unfolding in some of the organizations that I have dealings with. To re-emphasize, yo...

Tom Kloiber

DELTA model is helpful:D - must have well structured dataE - must have an enterprise-wide approachL - must have leadership supporting analytics initiativeT - identify key target projectsA - hire and train strong analystscreating an analytics culture is key to success; target some basic projects first to gain early momentum and support; don't take on too much too soon

Amanda Sagastume

(5/5)

This book really helped “label” my organization and gave me practical ways of getting to the next level of using data. It is a great resource that I’m sure to go back to from time to time.

Willis

I've found that how much I like a book can depend a lot on your current mood, mindset and situation. This book came at a perfect time for me so I ended up rating it higher than I would have otherwise. If you're looking for specifics around analytical tools, don't even bother with this book. If you are working on how to create an analytics organization or how to create more of a culture for analytics, then this is the book for you. This coincided with some work that I'm currently doing around org...

Jonathan Phares

Great insights on analytics that couldn't have been better timed for me. DELTA framework has been very helpful for me and it's helpful to see a good example path for moving toward a more analytical culture.

Bill Seliger

More detailed than "Competing on Analytics" with some specific action plans and requirements for developing or enhancing your organization's analytic expertise.

Mike

Co-author Jeanne Harris spoke at the 2010 JMP Discovery Conference which I attended and received this book for free. This is not the type of book I would typically choose to read. Here are a couple interesting points I noted:a) p. 103: "Analysts want to feel supported and valued by their organizations but they also want autonomy at work - the freedom and flexibility to decide how their jobs are done. Managers should provide goals and resources, and then give analytical people freedom to organize...

The authors build on their previous work, which I was glad to see because the analytics space is evolving quickly. A few elements I especially liked about this book include a framework for what analytics can answer, a model for success, and a tie in to employee engagement. In their framework for the questions analytics can answer, they distinguish between information and insight, and then show how each can be applied to past, present and future. The DELTA model outlines key success factors, such...

Ken

(3/5)

I had very high hopes for this book. What it wasn't was a detailed list of analytical tools that you can use and implement in your job. It was more of identifying a process to create analytical tools. It did more of a good summary review of the different elements and parts to the process and what to look for and support. It wasn't bad, just not what I thought it would be.

Mitch

Insights could be summarized on a postcard,

Harlan

I'm not typically one to recommend business books, but Davenport has a lot of wisdom about how organizations can structure themselves and their processes to make the best use of analytical employees.

Rohit Raj

A book that teaches, in a simple and straight forward way, how companies can leverage their data and analytical capabilities to stay ahead of their competitors.

Aleena K

Paresh Kamat

Good read for reader who wish to know how to employ analytics in business

Work-related reading, to help me understand how analytics can be applied in the workplace to make better fact-based decisions.

Sampsonsghost

Ron

skip this one and read the first book - Competing on Analytics - and only read if you need an overview of what analytics is.

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Analytics at Work: Smarter Decisions, Better Results

Analytics at Work: Smarter Decisions, Better Results

Analytics at Work: Smarter Decisions, Better Results

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