It Is Still My Grandparent’s Data Science & Analytics
Sadly…
My grandparents were not keen on doctors. My grandfather believed that most issues could be handled with a shot of whiskey. If whiskey wasn’t the answer, than another home remedy surely was. And before anyone goes jumping off the healthcare diving board, this wasn’t about that — it was about trust, outcomes, and education. And sadly, it didn’t really end well for any of them, although my grandmothers lived long enough to see the other side.
In their final decade, my grandmothers went to doctors. They gave up on home remedies and DIY cures. Perhaps that is why they both outlived their husbands by a few decades. And while today in America there are still some people who will opt for a home remedy over the doctor — most people don’t even realize how recently the thinking changed. In the old days… seems like ages ago, but it was just a generation or two.
Just a quick note — my grandparents were all in their late teens when this cover art picture of American Gothic was taken. Not perfect — but it made the point.
This week, I got another client email. “Now that you introduced us to these new tools, we are going to hold off on the next phase of the project as we want to see what we can do on our own.”
I had two immediate thoughts —
- Make a giant mess then wonder why I need to increase the price for the next phase
- Geez, I showed them a scalpel and now they want to do their own exploratory surgery
My partner wondered if they were scared off by the price, but we were well below market on this proposal. It was a matter of trust, outcomes, and education. Perhaps my company owns some of that, but objectively this is more a statement on all of Data Science & Analytics.
I have often compared analysts to doctors and dentists (also mechanics, trash collectors, lawyers, and moms). I have been frustrated by the fact that many in the business world don’t see it. And I have been wrong! It is simply that DS&A today is like dentistry and medicine of 40s-70s. Everyone recognizes the expertise, they simply don’t believe the outcomes matter… enough … yet.
Of course, like my grandfathers, today’s business owners are wrong, too! My grandfathers died early. Sure the medicine of the day was not great, but it likely would have extended their lives in meaningful ways. If they were lucky enough to find a truly skilled doctor, it would have mattered even more. They might both be here to read this article… possibly, not probably.
Businesses die young as well. I have seen more than my share fall, early. I was never given the chance to help most of them and only half a chance at a small few.
Could professional data science and analytic support have saved all of them? No, the outcomes aren’t there, yet. I humbly offer that my own success rates are much higher — but even then, this is no magic pill. People die and business fail… and all of us pay taxes. The point is — it well could have given most of them a few more good years. And yes, it would have saved more than a few.
The greatest generation was a stubborn one. Just ask Hitler. But it didn’t serve them when it came to healthcare. Far too many of them held out for far too long. They could always blame education, but we need to get past that.
Gen X and the Millennials are highly resourceful generations — there is much to be lauded about their DIY attitude and the advances that has given us. But DIY data science is a kin to DIY surgery… don’t make the same mistakes as your grandfathers. And don’t blame education or technology — blame doesn’t save companies. It just makes you feel better about being wrong.
One final warning to all would-be DIY analysts in the crowd — exploratory surgery is a great analogy! — stated as someone who has had a front row seat to so much of it. The thing is — exploratory surgery is both dangerous and on its way out. New techniques and technology have made it far less frequent in the medical field.
The same should be true for Data Science & Analytics — an expert practitioner doesn’t need to test and experiment their way through your data systems. Novice practioners, on the other hand, tend to make a big mess as they test, tweak, and explore. That is also exactly what all you DIYers do… honestly, the messes tend to be even bigger!
If you still have budget (or a company) after the mess is made OR if you want to skip that giant time and money suck entirely — give us a call:
And no worries, I know you probably won’t. Regardless — thanks for reading.
