The Strategic Data Project's tools and resources are referenced in the following Education Week blog post.
In today's data-rich, technology-driven world, being a "data nerd" is cool. Even Harvard Business Review has said that "data scientist" is the sexiest job of the 21st century. Are we surprised? From who we engage with on social media to what clothes we purchase online to the music we download, people around the world are collecting and analyzing massive amounts of data every day. The exponential growth and availability of data is often described as "big data"--and it has become a critical tool for businesses, governments, and other organizations. Why? As SAS® explains, "More data may lead to more accurate analyses. More accurate analyses may lead to more confident decision making. And better decisions can mean greater operational efficiencies, cost reductions, and reduced risk."
For example, data can help doctors to better diagnose illnesses to save lives. Grocery stores use the data they glean from various sources to reduce internal foot-traffic jams. Marketing departments use data to target products to customers based on their buying history. Police departments use data to uncover evidence that may help solve cold cases. Even the airline industry uses big data to provide piece-of-mind that your baggage will make it to your destination on time!
Big data doesn't necessarily mean more data. It's about being able to analyze non-relational data and draw conclusions upon which to strategically act. If used in appropriate ways, HR data can teach us a great deal about an individual's drivers and behavior, performance, needs, and their potential.
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