Seven quotes to keep your data project on track
My main goal for this post is nothing more than sharing with you some inspirational quotes about data and analytics. Sometimes, these quotes made me think differently about the projects I was working on. Often, they made me smile. The aim is nothing more. They are not a magic recipe to make your data projects successful, neither a list of commitments to blindly follow, nor a manifesto to display in your offices for your teams…
NB : I have been careful to find the original authors, but if not, please let me know and I will update as soon as possible.
“Without Data, you’re just another person with an opinion.” W. Edwards Deming, electrical engineer and statistician
Let’s start at the beginning: Let’s talk about data. We often tend to forget this, even among data enthusiasts when we discuss a decision to be made. As long as there is no data, it remains an opinion. And all opinions must be heard. But if you add data, it becomes an argument and it’s much better.
“Most people use statistics like a drunk man uses a lamppost, more for support than illumination.” Andrew Lang, poet
Probably my favorite one and the one I use the most. Just a reminder to make sure that we are coming to conclusions based on the most possible objective analysis and not that we are looking for the data to prove a conclusion already established.
“People don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc.
It’s not a judgement. Data field is not mature yet in every business. What you need to do is: to read between the lines in a data context. Think about making your projects concrete for your interlocutors. Prototype. Organize an interactive demo. This will be the best way to show the value and convince them of the usefulness of your idea.
“ ‘Let’s just see what happens’ is not a scientific experiment.” Cassie Kozyrkov, Chief Decision Scientist at Google
How to do an article on data quotes without Cassie Kozyrkov? I’m a total fan, like a groupie. She refers to an important aspect of data projects (and not only data): the testing and validation phase. And I love this quote because it resonates so much when someone asks to analyze the test they have conducted and they had not put anything in place for that. The data analysts know what I mean. All the tests, even the smallest ones, are scientific experiments with assumptions and need to be prepared in advance.
“Done is better than perfect” Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operation Officer at Facebook
The main pitfall of the data scientist. “One more small optimization please”. But if you are the only user of your model, you have a problem. An imperfect model in production will always be more useful than one that does not exist. Just, be clear about its performance.
“Stop asking business partner if they “believe in” data and start asking if they understand it. It’s science, not Santa Claus” Original quote : “Stop asking candidates if they “believe in” climate change and start asking if they understand it. It’s science, not Santa Claus” from Valorie Clark, Director of Marketing & Board Member at Go Fund Bean
Okay, that’s not really the original quote. But using data to optimize and transform your business is no longer a choice and not something to believe in or not. It exists and if it is adapted and executed well, it works.
“Work hard, be yourself and have fun” Michelle Kwan, figure skater, Olympic medalist
Data projects are often a long and difficult path. They are often complex subjects. You have to juggle with the quality of the data, the biases of the analytical approaches, the trial-and-error cycle and the uncertainty of a context. So, often, the best way to deal with the problems is simply to take a step back and think about having a little fun.
