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Our core message: Data connects.

We are an analytics club that sees a problem with analytics. The problem is that all organizations use data but the data sources, the departments working with data, and the methods used to derive meaning from data are siloed and often lack collaboration. Computer and Data Scientists work to build both databases and complex models. Then, Economists create models (pulling data from databases and building further complex models) and incorporate economic theory to forecast outcomes. Finally, Management use these forecasts to make financial decisions. This process, while streamlined, prevents a consistent discussion/understanding of data and makes it impossible to view the entire “data ecosystem”. Segmentation through process “siloing” results in miscommunication and poor management decisions, which harms the organization. Data Scientists and Economists have a good grasp of bias in data, but often miss aspects that aren’t influenced by their discipline. For example, they might miss a qualitative factor only seen by a department that is customer-facing (i.e. sales, marketing). The lack of clear, “common-ground” communication and segmented processes result in poor analysis of the data, polluting the entire data ecosystem eventually making its way to a decision maker who will inadvertently harm the organization due to miscommunicated data and poor interpretation.

We believe the disciplines should have a general understanding of the other functions and a holistic view of data usage to reduce the amount of error in an organization’s use of data. This will result in fewer “big data disasters”, where campaigns are sent erroneously to customers based on faulty data.

We understand this is a very large undertaking. We by no means intend to replace the skills taught in computer science, economics, management, or financial programs during our meetings. We instead plan to teach a high-level understanding of data and the ecosystem so that anyone who uses data can 1) “speak the language”, 2) understand the process and know the tools, 3) recognize potential dangers before it becomes an organizational crisis. Our mission is to connect the data disciplines using one holistic view of analytics. We hope to give members a good starting point in which to build their analytical skills and prepare for a career with data.

We aim to bridge the gap between business and the sciences.