The C-word and The F-word of Data and Analytics
No One Is Saying Them … But They Really Should Be
There are two words you rarely hear mentioned in the halls of business analytics. One starts with a C and ends with an NT. The other starts with an F and ends with CK. Most analysts won’t mention them…
There is nothing worse than a stupid c#*_t. They have ability to mess up everything. Most of the time when you least expect it. Analysts often forget to ask about them. Perhaps it feels impolite?
F#@_k is a little different. It can feel great if you get it right. Of course, a lot of analysts have no idea how to…
Of course, I am referring to Constraint and Feedback… what were you thinking?
Analyst’s unwillingness to talk about constraints may be polite but it is pretty damn stupid. We are a discipline that felt the need to put the adjective “actionable” on so much of what we do, simply because we failed to recognize constraint. Time & resource constraints are the most common, but there are legal, security, and a myriad of other ones as well.
Constraints define the models and tools that analysts need to create to empower and build real enterprise value. If your work is not tailored to the constraints of your business environment, it will ultimately be unusable or, at a minimum far less impactful. So why do so many analysts ignore constraints?
Some constraints feel stupid, many are hidden, and finally some … well to play with our analogy are the equivalent of full frontal. Perhaps the latter are just too startling? But…
if your analysis ignores constraints — it will ultimately be worthless.
Feedback confuses us. It has so many meanings and is often simply not talked about. No one is really teaching others about it either. Well, maybe a few high priced consultants, but at this point in time that is a rather unseemly profession that is likely to leave you feeling f’ed in all the wrong ways.
Feedback provides a new string of data that allows you to evolve and adapt your work. It is the pillar of learning. Great analytics is built on it.
When done wrong, it can destroy everything. Understanding the various loops and processes is a rough science right now. Its intensely human nature only adds to its unpredictability and mystique. And… there isn’t exactly a kama sutra you can read on feedback.
Despite this, understanding, adapting, and cultivating feedback is the essense of great analytics, great ecosystems, and great business. Analysts ignore feedback at their own peril. Their is no cheat sheet here — but it is something that can be developed with experience.
Plus, if you pay attention to constraints and do feedback right, you are guaranteed a Big O!
I am talking about a big outcome… what were you thinking?
Thanks for reading. Stay safe. More importantly, stay informed.
