Page 85 - The Real Work Of Data Science Turning Data Into Information, Better Decisions, And Stronger Organizations by Ron S. Kenett, Thomas C. Redman (z-lib.org)_Neat

76 The Real Work of Data Science

Where should data scientists report?

Required analytical “sophistication”
Fine-tuning a sophisticated
algorithm/informationalizing Series of fundamental
Basic process improvement a product “One-time” opportunity discoveries

In the line: Everyone Really close to, Project team with online Permanent “lab”
involved but not in the line responsibilities
“Home” for data scientists
Figure 15.1 The best “home” for data scientists, organizationally, depends on the sort of problem they
are attempting to solve.

Implications

The real work of the CAO involves acquiring enough data science talent and getting the right
organizational structure in place so the overall team of data scientists (and the organization
as a whole) is most effective in turning data into information, making better decisions, and
building organizational capabilities. The CAO must have the trust of senior executives if
this is to happen, so building that trust, and cultivating personal gravitas, is his or her most
important job.
The CAO should report as high into the company as possible. He or she will also lead a
contingent of data scientists, variously placed according to their roles. Some, such as those
helping solve day‐in, day‐out problems, will reside in the line. Conversely, a few devoted to
longer‐term or more strategic work may reside in a “data lab.” Finally, those whose work
supports midterm objectives may reside in a “center of excellence” or other structure close
to, but not in, the line.
Finally, the real work of the CAO involves adjusting the organizational structure more or
less continuously, as everything in the data space is in continuous flux.