Your team is split between data and gut feelings for project strategy. How will you make the right call?

In my experience, when a team is split between data and gut feelings for a project strategy, it's effective to weigh both perspectives carefully. I facilitate a structured discussion where each side presents their rationale, supported by data or experiential insights. Then, I use a decision matrix to objectively evaluate the options based on factors like impact, resources needed, and risk level. This approach balances quantitative data with qualitative insights, ensuring the decision is well-rounded and informed. Combining both data and intuition leads to more comprehensive and effective project strategies.

In my experience, bridging gaps between data-driven decisions and gut feelings involves promoting collaboration and understanding. I encourage open discussions where team members present both data insights and experiential knowledge. We often adopt a pilot approach, testing strategies on a smaller scale to see real-world outcomes. This helps the team appreciate the value of both data and intuition, leading to a consensus on the most effective strategy. By validating each approach in practice, we facilitate more unified and informed decision-making.

Ultimately, everyone wants the "right" decision to be made. If that means the "data-camp" try to gather data to refute the "instinct-camp", so be it. Bridging may at times look adversarial, but healthy scepticism, academic curiosity and use of the scientific method (time permitting) should be encouraged.

In my experience, scenario planning effectively bridges the gap between data-driven decisions and gut instincts. We create multiple scenarios incorporating both quantitative data and qualitative insights. This helps visualize the outcomes of various strategies, allowing the team to assess the feasibility and consequences of each. By considering a range of possibilities, we enhance strategic thinking and foster a more comprehensive decision-making process that respects both data and intuition.

I once facilitated a final assessment for a software development project. We gathered various metrics, such as sprint velocity and bug rates, alongside team feedback on process efficiency and collaboration quality. During the assessment, we created a comprehensive review document that highlighted key successes and areas for improvement. We then used this data to conduct a retrospective meeting where the team could discuss their experiences openly. This dual approach, combining quantitative data with qualitative insights, allowed us to create a balanced view of the project’s outcomes and plan more effectively for future iterations.

Commit decisively to making data driven decisions. I always say that a mixture of data and instinct is good, but in the end, data must win. MessageSpring Business Intelligence empowers businesses to make data driven decisions by leveraging analytics and intelligence. To learn more, DM me!