Jaime Fitzgerald presented on turning big data into social good by focusing analytics efforts. Fitzgerald recommends defining the business model's causal relationships through a causal model to identify key drivers and opportunities for improvement. This provides clarity on the insights and analyses needed. Fitzgerald emphasizes keeping analyses simple by focusing on the identified opportunities and drivers. This approach can help organizations better leverage data and analytics to increase results.

1. Turning Big Data into Social Good
The Challenge, The Opportunity
Jaime Fitzgerald
December 6, 2011 – Turin, Italy
Architects of Fact-Based Decisions™

2. Introduction
Jaime Fitzgerald,
Role: Founder @ Fitzgerald Analytics
• Find & unlock opportunities
Mission:
via data, technology, people, + processes.
Principles: “Begin with the End in Mind” (Covey)
“Quality is Free” (McGregor)
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3. From Data to Dollars…
“A journey of a thousand miles….”
Fitzgerald Analytics: Converting Data to Dollars™
Better Data Better Analysis Better Results
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4. The Gap vs. Potential
1. So Much “Buzz” about the Potential of Analytics
 Best-selling books on Analytics (Competing on Analytics, Supercrunchers, etc.)
 New efforts (business units, teams, roles, initiatives)
2. When Analytics Works, the Impact is Buzz-Worthy!
 Selected firms have made analytics a source of competitive advantage
 It happens every day… just not as broadly as would be ideal
1 2 3 4
Right Focus Right Method Execution Results!
Let’s discuss the keys to increasing your odds of success…
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5. Why So Much Untapped Potential?
Long Term Vision
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6. The #1 Threat to Results … Complexity
2. Decisions
1. Business Models
+ Processes
Analytic
Initiatives
4. Tech Tools,
3. Analysis Options Platforms, Plug-ins,
Deployment Options
We need a way to simplify this complexity without losing the potential
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7. Other Root Causes of “Analytic Underperformance”
While complexity is the largest impediment to results in analytics,
there are several other challenges worth mentioning…
1
Cross-Functional Collaboration
2
The good news is…
Communication Challenges
…managing complexity
3 makes all these other
Technology and problems easier to manage
Data Management Barriers also…
4
People: Talent, Skills, Learning,
Team Effectiveness
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8. What if Steven Covey Were An Analyst?
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9. Three Simplifying Concepts
To “begin with the business goal in mind,” I recommend three concepts
Term Definition
1. Point of Opportunity  An opportunity for improvement within YOUR
business model
 Defined because it impacts key drivers of your
results
2. Causal Clarity
 Clear Definition of key drivers, cause + effect in
Cause Effect your business model, business unit, etc.
 Easy to Explain to others, preferably visually
3. Causal Model
 A visual representation of “what drives results” in
Price
Revenue
your business model
Transactions  Create this, and you have achieved “Causal Clarity”
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10. Causal Models: A Simple “Base Case”
Each business model has an inherent “causal model,” but the “core branches” are
similar
Example: Drivers
of Net Profit
Revenue
less
Your Has Cost of Revenue Gross Profit
Business Operating Costs
Model less Net Profit
Marketing Other Costs
Overhead
Other
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11. Example: A Point of Opportunity
Here is an opportunity to enhance ROI on Marketing + Sales efforts:
Point of Opportunity: “Efficiency of New Client Acquisition”
Key Driver / KPI: Acquisition Cost per New Client
Formula: [spending on new client marketing]/[# New Clients)
Transactions Price per
per Client Transaction
X
# of Clients Volume
Sales and
Marketing
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12. Planning Your Analysis
Planning starts with the goal, the “point of opportunity”
Your Point of Opportunity (Decision or Process)
Translates to
Insights or Information Required
Which drives
Analysis Methods Required to Create this Information
Allowing definition of
Required Data
And selection of the right
Tools, Platforms, Technology, People, and Processes
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13. Summary of Key Takeaways
We hope you will benefit from the concepts shared today
For All 1. Begin Your 2. Define + 3. Identify 4. Define the 5. Keep
Attendees Business Agree on Points of info needed analysis as
Model the Causal Opp. to unlock simple as
Model the opp. possible…
Tips By Executives Leadership
Role:  Establish “causal clarity” visually so that everyone understands
 Encourage teams to use this context to prioritize and target effort
 Expect recommendations to be justified by their impact on key drivers
Business Professionals Technology Professionals
 Identify points of opportunity  Insist upon understanding the
before investing time in analytic business context and causal logic
details of requests for analytic systems
and effort
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14. Thank You!
For more information and comments, you may reach me through the following:
Email jfitzgerald@fitzgerald-analytics.com
Twitter jaimefitzgerald
Phone 1-917-846-3759
Website www.fitzgerald-analytics.com
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15. Let’s Change the World Together (for the better!)
Email jfitzgerald@fitzgerald-analytics.com
Twitter @jaimefitzgerald
@fitzanalytics
@data2dollars
Phone 1-917-846-3759
www.fitzgerald-analytics.com
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