Problems & Solutions

So many problems, so many analytics-oriented solutions. So where do we start? How about at the beginning, which, according to Maria in the “Sound of Music,” is a very good place to start.

Leading off in his “Executive Edge” column, Paul Roma, U.S. Deloitte analytics market leader, delves into the hot topic of “cognitive computing” and lists five “I wish I would haves” to avoid. How many of us have been there, done that and wished we had a do-over?

Next, longtime “Analyze This!” columnist and college professor Vijay Mehrotra looks at midlife changes and spending his sabbatical year visiting the Human Rights Data Analysis Group, while Tom Pohlmann, head of values and strategy at Mu Sigma, explores in his “Forum” commentary “why your company is doing data and analytics wrong, and how to fix it.”

Speaking of data – and we always are – Chuck Densinger and Mark Gonzales of Elicit take aim at the elephant in the room in their feature article, “There’s no such thing as unstructured data,” and offer four keys to giving structure to unstructured data initiatives. Meanwhile, Ron Stein of Space-Time Insight describes how situational intelligence brings together advanced analytics, data visualization and IoT for a 360-degree operational view for “Making effective decisions in real time.”

Fairfax, Va.-based consultant Doug Samuelson then examines the research behind Doug Hubbard’s new book, “How to Measure Anything in Cybersecurity.” The takeaway: The biggest risk to cybersecurity is the over-reliance on undependable, highly subjective methods of risk assessment. Frank Harmsen, a partner with Ernst & Young, follows with a feature on “Smart cities” that is built around the Amsterdam example and how real-time data helps reduce traffic, pollution, energy usage and crime.

Healthcare analytics is always on our radar, thanks to Rajib Ghosh, whose column, appropriately called “Healthcare Analytics,” appears in every issue of Analytics magazine. Rajib’s column is complemented by a feature article from Shaillee Chopra and Daniel J. Marino of GE Healthcare Camden Group that outlines best practices for high-performing healthcare organizations.

In our final feature, “Monte Carlo for the masses,” Sam Savage, whose book on “The Flaw of Averages” started the probability management revolution, describes a set of tools he developed to automate the data table process for Excel users. Best of all, the tools are free!