Big Data not so interesting....

Consider the following:

Data + Data = Big Data

Data + Analysis = Big Insight

In any system the "Garbage In, Garbage Out" rule applies and if the analysis of the data is incorrect or the wrong questions are asked, the insight is flawed no matter how "Big" the data is. So let's look at the chain of events, data is collected, a summary or analysis is made, and then insight is derived followed by a decision point leading to a series of actions or path's. The point being that data collection is just one part of a much larger equation.

Big Data is not new and in it's current form should actually be called "More Data". The true innovation that is taking place is the analysis and insight, a recent example of this is the whole Sub Prime Lending screwup. Check out The Big Short, lots of data was available to Banks with VERY large analytical research teams, however they were asking the wrong questions thus their insights lead to the biggest financial screw up the world has had to deal with.

A small bunch of relatively under resourced and misunderstood individuals who had access to the data and asked a different set of questions, gained an insight that lead to huge successful financial outcomes. The data and analysis were readily available to everyone, it was the insight that made the difference.

There is a false sense of enlightenment being created by "Big Data" as the real investment needs to made in "Big Insight" as it creates the value not "Big Data".

Are you asking the right questions and developing your Big Insight?