#whatimreading Big Data by Bernard Marr

Big Data: Using SMART Big Data, Analytics and Metrics To Make Better Decisions and Improve Performance seems to be less about data and analytics and more about providing structure to strategic planning and operations management.  Marr’s “SMART” process is the crux of his text, and mirrors the measure-manage-optimize process I’ve seen elsewhere, with a slightly different focus:

1. Start with strategy
2. Measure metrics and data
3. Apply analytics
4. Report results
5. Transform business

There is some great guidance on cataloging data sources, which will come in handy in my day job.

Marr also provides tips on data visualization and infographics:

• Identify your target audience
• Customize the data visualization
• Give the data visualization a clear label or title
• Link the data visualization to your strategy
• Choose your graphics wisely
• Use heading to make the important points stand out
• Add a short narrative where appropriate

He follows this with an effective distillation of Edward Tufte’s guidelines for visualizations. See also:

• • The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
  • Envisioning Information
  • Beautiful Evidence

How are you using data to drive strategic and operational decisions?

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