Solve Problems w/ Data - Exploring Business Applications

Common Problem Types in Data Analysis

1. Making Predictions

  • Example: Anywhere Gaming Repair

    • Problem: Determining the best advertising method for attracting new customers.

    • Approach: Used data to envision different advertising outcomes.

    • Outcome: Data-driven decision-making about likely success in advertising strategies.

2. Categorizing Things

  • Example: Improving Customer Satisfaction

    • Problem: A business wants to enhance customer satisfaction levels.

    • Approach: Analysts review recorded customer service calls to assess satisfaction levels.

    • Process: Identify keywords and categorize them (e.g., politeness, satisfaction, dissatisfaction, empathy).

    • Outcome: Helps to identify high-performing representatives and those needing coaching, ultimately leading to higher satisfaction scores.

3. Spotting Something Unusual

  • Example: Health Tracking Apps

    • Example of a woman with an athletic background receiving a notification on her smartwatch about an abnormal heart rate spike.

    • Context: Normal resting heart rate around 70, sudden spike to 90 indicated a potential health issue.

    • Importance: Data from the smartwatch prompted her to seek medical attention, revealing a serious health condition.

4. Identifying Themes

  • Example: User Experience Design

    • Problem: A designer wants to improve the interactions customers have with a coffee maker.

    • Approach: Collected anonymous survey data from users to gather insights about their experiences.

    • Process: Identify key themes in feedback to determine common issues (e.g., unclear on/off indication).

    • Outcome: Resulted in design optimizations leading to better user experience and satisfaction.

5. Discovering Connections

  • Example: Third Party Logistics

    • Problem: Reducing wait times for shipments during loading.

    • Approach: Sharing data between partner companies to analyze timelines and identify causes of delays.

    • Outcome: Companies align their delivery schedules to minimize downtime and enhance efficiency.

6. Finding Patterns

  • Example: Oil and Gas Companies

    • Problem: Stopping machines from breaking down.

    • Approach: Analyze historical data to identify patterns leading to breakdowns.

    • Insight: Found that machine failures increased when maintenance was neglected beyond a 15-day cycle.

    • Outcome: Improved monitoring and timely intervention has become key in preventing breakdowns.

Conclusion

  • Data analysis plays a crucial role in helping individuals and businesses make informed decisions, enhance satisfaction, and drive improvements through various problem-solving techniques.