Important Non Technical Business Questions to Ask Before Starting an Analytics Project

Starting an #analytics project can be an exciting and game-changing endeavor for any business. Data can help you unlock insights that can drive growth, increase efficiency and even identify new revenue streams. But before you dive headfirst into a new project, it’s important to ask some critical #nontechnical questions. This will ensure that your project has a solid foundation and that you are aligned with your business goals. We will discuss some of these critical non-technical questions in the subsequent sections.

What are your business objectives?

Before starting any data analytics project, you need to identify and understand your #businessobjectives. This is critical because analytics should never be an end unto itself. Rather, it should be a tool to help you achieve your business goals. So, before starting an analytics project, think about what you want to achieve. Do you want to improve the customer experience? Do you want to optimize your supply chain? Do you want to increase your ROI? Whatever your objective, make sure your analytics project is aligned with it.

What data do you have?

The difference between magic and #datascience is DATA.

So the next question, sometimes the most important question to ask is about the availability of #data and its quality. This is important because you can only analyze the data you have. For example, if you don’t have access to customer data, you can’t analyze the customer experience. So, before starting your analytics project, make sure you have access to the data you need. If the data doesn’t exist, you may need to gather it through surveys, focus groups or other methods.

Do you have the right people?

Analytics projects require a team of people with varied skill sets. You will need #dataanalysts who can turn data into #insights, #datascientists who can build predictive models, and IT personnel who can maintain the infrastructure. You may also need #projectmanagers who can ensure that the project stays on track. So, before starting your analytics project, make sure you have the right people in place. If you don’t have the necessary skills in-house, consider hiring outside expertise.

What is your budget?

Analytics projects can be expensive. You need to account for the cost of software, hardware, personnel and infrastructure. So, before starting your analytics project, make sure you have a clear understanding of your #budget. This will help you plan the project and ensure that you don't run out of money before it’s completed.

What is your timeline?

Finally, you need to think about your timeline. Analytics projects can take a long time to complete. It’s important to have a clear timeline that takes into account your business objectives, data availability, people and budget. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you are making progress toward your goal.

Conclusion

Starting an analytics project can be exciting, but it’s important to ask critical non-technical questions before you begin. By asking questions about your business objectives, data, people, budget and timeline, you can ensure that your project has a solid foundation and that you are aligned with your business goals. This way, organizations can avoid costly mistakes and maximize the value of the analytics project to drive growth and results for your business.