How can you take action on your analytical findings?

To effectively translate analytical findings into meaningful actions, define objectives, communicate findings, prioritize key insights, link them to business strategy, create an action plan, involve stakeholders, align with decision-making processes, implement incremental changes, monitor progress, encourage continuous improvement, provide training and support, communicate internal changes, measure and quantify impact, celebrate successes, and document lessons learned. This dynamic process requires collaboration, adaptability, and a commitment to using data-driven insights for positive change within the organization.

At a technical level, communicating findings has to do with summarizing the analytics work performed. However, the most important component is taking this technical output and conveying it to stakeholders/clients in way that matters to them the most. While I love to look at statistical metrics after an analytics project is completed, I know my clients want to understand how this translates to dollars and cents for their business. Understanding client KPI's at the outset of a project is vital. With this knowledge, reports can be created on the back-end that show how an analytics solution will improve these KPI's in practice. Clients want to know how their $1 spent will return $10 in value.

Turning recommendations into action requires a work breakdown structure that's actionable. Oftentimes, recommendations are high-level [qualitative] descriptions of what needs to be done but not worded in a way that's necessarily actionable. Recommendations should be decomposed into incremental steps that can be completed in ways that are [quantitatively] measurable. A 'definition of done' should also be agreed upon to make sure everyone involved knows when it's considered complete or not. SMART goals and OKRs are effective techniques but often used too loosely, leaving too much room for interpretation resulting in incomplete work or shattered expectations. Be sure to define SMART goals/OKRs in ways that are clear and measurable.