[Joel Wasson]

Thanks for raising this dialogue. Adding a framework for what I think is being discussed with some additional questions and comments. Basically you need a manager, functional lead and technical lead as a bare minimum. Increase the functional support roles first (Data/BI Analyst or Analytics Engineer), potentially including a change (Value Engineer) role, and ramp up the technical and specialty (LOB, Science) roles as the scale increases.

Thanks again.

ANALYTICS TEAM PURPOSE	ANALYTICS TEAM MEMBERS	STAFFING (Min)	STAFFING (Recommended)	Comment	ROLE-SKILL SET
Team-Capability Management	ACE Leader (Analytics Director/Manager)	One (1)	One (1)+E3:E8		o Continuously advocates for and sells the value of analytics to the rest of the organization o Focuses on business value not the math o Working knowledge of analytics and analytics architecture
	Business Manager		One (1) x LOB	Are you saying these are in the ACE, or located in LOB or either?	o Responsible for a line of business o Wants the best information to help make business decisions o Domain expert on the related line of business
	Value Engineer (Change Manager)		One (1) – 2	Interesting idea- wish I had this role; Usually embed this function between all the other manager/functional roles with the expectation being the ability to tell the story of data. Would probably staff this support as a Data Analyst.	o Dedicated to analytic business & community development o Helps to make the overall impact of the entire ACE team more impactful and understood across the organization o Works closely with all ACE members to define the business value with proposed analytics work/projects o Changes algorithms into business value stories and graphics to make it easier for the ACE leader to communicate with internal stakeholders/decision makers
Solution & Data Management	Data Scientist (Analytics Engineer, ML Engineer)		~ One (1)	Would think an “Analytics Engineer” or Sr Data Analyst function would come before a Data Science who may not be needed	Artificial Intelligence-Advanced Analytics- Data & AI Model Focused: o Analytic expertise in at least one or more of these areas: predictive modeling, forecasting, optimization o Typically trained in statistics or data science and then learns programming o Broadens the use of analytics and drives more informed decision making across the organization
	Business Data Analyst (Citizen Data Scientist, Bus Intelligence Analyst, Visualization Specialist)	One (1)	One (1) to 4 Depends on demand	…usually the most positions once the ACE is proven and growing. Would staff this first with someone who knows how to functionally  work with data models	Data Model – Analytics – Business Intelligence Focused o Responsible for model validation and operationalizes analytics o Makes dashboards and reports that leverage analytics o May develop into a future data scientist (more likely roles evolve to Sr Analyst/Analytics Engineer)
Technology Management	Data Engineer (architect/platform/DevOps)	One (1)	One (1) to 2 Depends on demand	Increases with level of system build-out and also build out of functional / data teams	o Maintain IT control and governance of data while empowering data scientists and business users to have easy access to all the necessary data needed to solve business issues o Ensure the analytics environment is healthy and secure o Typically comes from a computer programming/IT background o Good knowledge of databases, SQL, and cloud technologies o Will serve as Data/Information Architecture and Platform Management  if these are not separate roles

——————————
Joel Wasson.
Manager Enterprise Data & Analytics
Hawaiian Electric
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 11:59
From: David Pope
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

Mark – thank you for reading and for your questions.  The business manager could be considered a liaison to the business unit or department for which the ACE is doing a use case; basically serves as the domain SME or “voice of your internal customer”.  

1. The “data architect” may be another role; however, I suggest this data architect “skill” could fall under the data engineer role.
2. I would prioritize these 3 postions: ACE Leader, a data engineer, and a data scientist.  If you are wondering why my reasons would be that first of all you need to have a leader for any group to be successful.  A data engineer is needed to ensure data can be accessed efficiently and to work with the data scientist to ensure the necessary analytics data preparations are done and automated.  A data scientist is needed to do the data science part.  The other roles could initially exist in other groups or a group until the business value has been proven and used to make the business case for expanding the ACE.
3. I would prioritize the different roles, along with my guidance on the number of each role based on my experience, as follows:
   1. ACE Leader – number of positions 1
   2. Data Scientist – varies but typically there are more of position V 
   3. Data Engineer – varies but typically 1 to work with/support 3 to 4 of postion II and those in position V
   4. Business Manager – 1 per line of business 
   5. Business Analyst/Citizen Data Scientist – usually the most positions once the ACE is proven and growing
   6. Value Engineer – 1 or 2 depending size of the ACE

——————————
David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197
——————————

Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 10:52
From: Mark Getecha
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

Hi David,

 

Thanks for sharing that summary of titles and skill sets that you have found important to have within a core analytics team. The value engineer was a new role that I haven’t heard of but makes sense based on the description of their role. I am not sure I fully understand the purpose of the business manager.

 

I also have some follow up questions:

1. I noticed you didn’t include a data architect. Could you please let us know why?
2. For organizations that have limited resources and can only start with 3 out of the 6 positions, which 3 would you recommend?
3. For organizations that can fully staff an ACE, how would you prioritize the list?

Thanks

 

Mark Getecha | Business Intelligence Lead

Western Area Power Administration | Headquarters, CIO

(O) 480.352.3591 | getecha[at]wapa.gov

 

 

Original Message:
Sent: 2/27/2023 8:30:00 AM
From: David Pope
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

We all know at this point to be successful at implementing analytics you need more than data scientists. Having advised organizations over all industries how to setup their own analytics center of excellence (ACE) I’ve shared this list of team members and their skill sets in a variety of presentations, papers, and even a book.   As such here is a short summary of titles and their skill sets which I’ve found is important to have within your core analytics team to help it be successful across an entire organization.   

• ACE Leader 
  • Continuously advocates for and sells the value of analytics to the rest of the organization
  • Focuses on business value not the math
  • Working knowledge of analytics and analytics architecture
• Business Manager
  • Responsible for a line of business
  • Wants the best information to help make business decisions
  • Domain expert on the related line of business
• Data Engineer
  • Maintain IT control and governance of data while empowering data scientists and business users to have easy access to all the necessary data needed to solve business issues 
  • Ensure the analytics environment is healthy and secure
  • Typically comes from a computer programming/IT background
  • Good knowledge of databases, SQL, and cloud technologies
• Data Scientist
  • Analytic expertise in at least one or more of these areas: predictive modeling, forecasting, optimization
  • Typically trained in statistics or data science and then learns programming 
  • Broadens the use of analytics and drives more informed decision making across the organization
• Business analyst/citizen data science
  • Responsible for model validation and operationalizes analytics 
  • Makes dashboards and reports that leverage analytics 
  • May develop into a future data scientist
• Value Engineer 
  • Dedicated to analytic business development
  • Helps to make the overall impact of the entire ACE team more impactful and understood across the organization
  • Works closely with all ACE members to define the business value with proposed analytics work/projects
  • Changes algorithms into business value stories and graphics to make it easier for the ACE leader to communicate with internal stakeholders/decision makers

What do you think of these roles?   Were any of them a surprise or new to you?  Did I miss a role that you have at your organization?  I hope this summary of the roles and responsibilities for a success ACE proves useful and helps to generate some productive conversations. 

——————————
David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197
——————————

[Mark Getecha]

Hi David,

 

Thanks for sharing that summary of titles and skill sets that you have found important to have within a core analytics team. The value engineer was a new role that I haven’t heard of but makes sense based on the description of their role. I am not sure I fully understand the purpose of the business manager.

 

I also have some follow up questions:

1. I noticed you didn’t include a data architect. Could you please let us know why?
2. For organizations that have limited resources and can only start with 3 out of the 6 positions, which 3 would you recommend?
3. For organizations that can fully staff an ACE, how would you prioritize the list?

Thanks

 

Mark Getecha | Business Intelligence Lead

Western Area Power Administration | Headquarters, CIO

(O) 480.352.3591 | getecha[at]wapa.gov

 

 

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 2/27/2023 8:30:00 AM
From: David Pope
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

We all know at this point to be successful at implementing analytics you need more than data scientists. Having advised organizations over all industries how to setup their own analytics center of excellence (ACE) I’ve shared this list of team members and their skill sets in a variety of presentations, papers, and even a book.   As such here is a short summary of titles and their skill sets which I’ve found is important to have within your core analytics team to help it be successful across an entire organization.   

• ACE Leader 
  • Continuously advocates for and sells the value of analytics to the rest of the organization
  • Focuses on business value not the math
  • Working knowledge of analytics and analytics architecture
• Business Manager
  • Responsible for a line of business
  • Wants the best information to help make business decisions
  • Domain expert on the related line of business
• Data Engineer
  • Maintain IT control and governance of data while empowering data scientists and business users to have easy access to all the necessary data needed to solve business issues 
  • Ensure the analytics environment is healthy and secure
  • Typically comes from a computer programming/IT background
  • Good knowledge of databases, SQL, and cloud technologies
• Data Scientist
  • Analytic expertise in at least one or more of these areas: predictive modeling, forecasting, optimization
  • Typically trained in statistics or data science and then learns programming 
  • Broadens the use of analytics and drives more informed decision making across the organization
• Business analyst/citizen data science
  • Responsible for model validation and operationalizes analytics 
  • Makes dashboards and reports that leverage analytics 
  • May develop into a future data scientist
• Value Engineer 
  • Dedicated to analytic business development
  • Helps to make the overall impact of the entire ACE team more impactful and understood across the organization
  • Works closely with all ACE members to define the business value with proposed analytics work/projects
  • Changes algorithms into business value stories and graphics to make it easier for the ACE leader to communicate with internal stakeholders/decision makers

What do you think of these roles?   Were any of them a surprise or new to you?  Did I miss a role that you have at your organization?  I hope this summary of the roles and responsibilities for a success ACE proves useful and helps to generate some productive conversations. 

——————————
David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197
——————————

[Gary Rector]

Mark,

I think these are excellent questions. I think the data architect role is under-appreciated, and the practicalities of building the team can’t be ignored.

 

-G

Stay hydrated and watch kids around water!

 

Gary Rector, MSDS (he/him/his)

Senior Data Scientist  |  Information Consultant

SRP  |  Analytics Center of Excellence  |  Mailstop CUB330

P: (602) 236-6961  |  M: (602) 361-8601

 

Confidentiality Notice

This message and any accompanying attachments may contain confidential and/or privileged information. The message and attachments should be read and retained by intended recipients only. If you received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the message and any attachments.

 

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 2/27/2023 10:53:00 AM
From: Mark Getecha
Subject: RE: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

Hi David,

 

Thanks for sharing that summary of titles and skill sets that you have found important to have within a core analytics team. The value engineer was a new role that I haven’t heard of but makes sense based on the description of their role. I am not sure I fully understand the purpose of the business manager.

 

I also have some follow up questions:

1. I noticed you didn’t include a data architect. Could you please let us know why?
2. For organizations that have limited resources and can only start with 3 out of the 6 positions, which 3 would you recommend?
3. For organizations that can fully staff an ACE, how would you prioritize the list?

Thanks

 

Mark Getecha | Business Intelligence Lead

Western Area Power Administration | Headquarters, CIO

(O) 480.352.3591 | getecha[at]wapa.gov

 

 

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 2/27/2023 8:30:00 AM
From: David Pope
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

We all know at this point to be successful at implementing analytics you need more than data scientists. Having advised organizations over all industries how to setup their own analytics center of excellence (ACE) I’ve shared this list of team members and their skill sets in a variety of presentations, papers, and even a book.   As such here is a short summary of titles and their skill sets which I’ve found is important to have within your core analytics team to help it be successful across an entire organization.   

• ACE Leader 
  • Continuously advocates for and sells the value of analytics to the rest of the organization
  • Focuses on business value not the math
  • Working knowledge of analytics and analytics architecture
• Business Manager
  • Responsible for a line of business
  • Wants the best information to help make business decisions
  • Domain expert on the related line of business
• Data Engineer
  • Maintain IT control and governance of data while empowering data scientists and business users to have easy access to all the necessary data needed to solve business issues 
  • Ensure the analytics environment is healthy and secure
  • Typically comes from a computer programming/IT background
  • Good knowledge of databases, SQL, and cloud technologies
• Data Scientist
  • Analytic expertise in at least one or more of these areas: predictive modeling, forecasting, optimization
  • Typically trained in statistics or data science and then learns programming 
  • Broadens the use of analytics and drives more informed decision making across the organization
• Business analyst/citizen data science
  • Responsible for model validation and operationalizes analytics 
  • Makes dashboards and reports that leverage analytics 
  • May develop into a future data scientist
• Value Engineer 
  • Dedicated to analytic business development
  • Helps to make the overall impact of the entire ACE team more impactful and understood across the organization
  • Works closely with all ACE members to define the business value with proposed analytics work/projects
  • Changes algorithms into business value stories and graphics to make it easier for the ACE leader to communicate with internal stakeholders/decision makers

What do you think of these roles?   Were any of them a surprise or new to you?  Did I miss a role that you have at your organization?  I hope this summary of the roles and responsibilities for a success ACE proves useful and helps to generate some productive conversations. 

——————————
David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197
——————————

[David Pope]

Mark – thank you for reading and for your questions.  The business manager could be considered a liaison to the business unit or department for which the ACE is doing a use case; basically serves as the domain SME or “voice of your internal customer”.  

1. The “data architect” may be another role; however, I suggest this data architect “skill” could fall under the data engineer role.
2. I would prioritize these 3 postions: ACE Leader, a data engineer, and a data scientist.  If you are wondering why my reasons would be that first of all you need to have a leader for any group to be successful.  A data engineer is needed to ensure data can be accessed efficiently and to work with the data scientist to ensure the necessary analytics data preparations are done and automated.  A data scientist is needed to do the data science part.  The other roles could initially exist in other groups or a group until the business value has been proven and used to make the business case for expanding the ACE.
3. I would prioritize the different roles, along with my guidance on the number of each role based on my experience, as follows:
   1. ACE Leader – number of positions 1
   2. Data Scientist – varies but typically there are more of position V 
   3. Data Engineer – varies but typically 1 to work with/support 3 to 4 of postion II and those in position V
   4. Business Manager – 1 per line of business 
   5. Business Analyst/Citizen Data Scientist – usually the most positions once the ACE is proven and growing
   6. Value Engineer – 1 or 2 depending size of the ACE

——————————
David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 10:52
From: Mark Getecha
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

Hi David,

 

Thanks for sharing that summary of titles and skill sets that you have found important to have within a core analytics team. The value engineer was a new role that I haven’t heard of but makes sense based on the description of their role. I am not sure I fully understand the purpose of the business manager.

 

I also have some follow up questions:

1. I noticed you didn’t include a data architect. Could you please let us know why?
2. For organizations that have limited resources and can only start with 3 out of the 6 positions, which 3 would you recommend?
3. For organizations that can fully staff an ACE, how would you prioritize the list?

Thanks

 

Mark Getecha | Business Intelligence Lead

Western Area Power Administration | Headquarters, CIO

(O) 480.352.3591 | getecha[at]wapa.gov

 

 

Original Message:
Sent: 2/27/2023 8:30:00 AM
From: David Pope
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

We all know at this point to be successful at implementing analytics you need more than data scientists. Having advised organizations over all industries how to setup their own analytics center of excellence (ACE) I’ve shared this list of team members and their skill sets in a variety of presentations, papers, and even a book.   As such here is a short summary of titles and their skill sets which I’ve found is important to have within your core analytics team to help it be successful across an entire organization.   

• ACE Leader 
  • Continuously advocates for and sells the value of analytics to the rest of the organization
  • Focuses on business value not the math
  • Working knowledge of analytics and analytics architecture
• Business Manager
  • Responsible for a line of business
  • Wants the best information to help make business decisions
  • Domain expert on the related line of business
• Data Engineer
  • Maintain IT control and governance of data while empowering data scientists and business users to have easy access to all the necessary data needed to solve business issues 
  • Ensure the analytics environment is healthy and secure
  • Typically comes from a computer programming/IT background
  • Good knowledge of databases, SQL, and cloud technologies
• Data Scientist
  • Analytic expertise in at least one or more of these areas: predictive modeling, forecasting, optimization
  • Typically trained in statistics or data science and then learns programming 
  • Broadens the use of analytics and drives more informed decision making across the organization
• Business analyst/citizen data science
  • Responsible for model validation and operationalizes analytics 
  • Makes dashboards and reports that leverage analytics 
  • May develop into a future data scientist
• Value Engineer 
  • Dedicated to analytic business development
  • Helps to make the overall impact of the entire ACE team more impactful and understood across the organization
  • Works closely with all ACE members to define the business value with proposed analytics work/projects
  • Changes algorithms into business value stories and graphics to make it easier for the ACE leader to communicate with internal stakeholders/decision makers

What do you think of these roles?   Were any of them a surprise or new to you?  Did I miss a role that you have at your organization?  I hope this summary of the roles and responsibilities for a success ACE proves useful and helps to generate some productive conversations. 

——————————
David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197
——————————

[David Pope]

Joel – thank you for your interest, your summary, and your questions. 

The “Business Manager” role(s) could be within the ACE; however, more likely they would be more of a liaison, or at large member of ACE, whose primary role is leading a line of business that needs wants to use analytics to make their teams more successful.   This would make the organizational structure of the ACE a wheel and spoke type. In this case as the ACE grows you would most likely want to have a data scientist/analyst manager role(s) added in the ACE who would help guide the ACE sub-teams and act as the main contact/collaborator with all the “business managers” from lines of business.

As far as you question about a “data scientist” vs an “analytics engineer or Sr Data analyst” I’d argue we mean the same role/skills but are using different “labels”. 

Regards,
David

——————————
David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 17:53
From: Joel Wasson
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

Thanks for raising this dialogue. Adding a framework for what I think is being discussed with some additional questions and comments. Basically you need a manager, functional lead and technical lead as a bare minimum. Increase the functional support roles first (Data/BI Analyst or Analytics Engineer), potentially including a change (Value Engineer) role, and ramp up the technical and specialty (LOB, Science) roles as the scale increases.

Thanks again.

ANALYTICS TEAM PURPOSE	ANALYTICS TEAM MEMBERS	STAFFING (Min)	STAFFING (Recommended)	Comment	ROLE-SKILL SET
Team-Capability Management	ACE Leader (Analytics Director/Manager)	One (1)	One (1)+E3:E8		o Continuously advocates for and sells the value of analytics to the rest of the organization o Focuses on business value not the math o Working knowledge of analytics and analytics architecture
	Business Manager		One (1) x LOB	Are you saying these are in the ACE, or located in LOB or either?	o Responsible for a line of business o Wants the best information to help make business decisions o Domain expert on the related line of business
	Value Engineer (Change Manager)		One (1) – 2	Interesting idea- wish I had this role; Usually embed this function between all the other manager/functional roles with the expectation being the ability to tell the story of data. Would probably staff this support as a Data Analyst.	o Dedicated to analytic business & community development o Helps to make the overall impact of the entire ACE team more impactful and understood across the organization o Works closely with all ACE members to define the business value with proposed analytics work/projects o Changes algorithms into business value stories and graphics to make it easier for the ACE leader to communicate with internal stakeholders/decision makers
Solution & Data Management	Data Scientist (Analytics Engineer, ML Engineer)		~ One (1)	Would think an “Analytics Engineer” or Sr Data Analyst function would come before a Data Science who may not be needed	Artificial Intelligence-Advanced Analytics- Data & AI Model Focused: o Analytic expertise in at least one or more of these areas: predictive modeling, forecasting, optimization o Typically trained in statistics or data science and then learns programming o Broadens the use of analytics and drives more informed decision making across the organization
	Business Data Analyst (Citizen Data Scientist, Bus Intelligence Analyst, Visualization Specialist)	One (1)	One (1) to 4 Depends on demand	…usually the most positions once the ACE is proven and growing. Would staff this first with someone who knows how to functionally  work with data models	Data Model – Analytics – Business Intelligence Focused o Responsible for model validation and operationalizes analytics o Makes dashboards and reports that leverage analytics o May develop into a future data scientist (more likely roles evolve to Sr Analyst/Analytics Engineer)
Technology Management	Data Engineer (architect/platform/DevOps)	One (1)	One (1) to 2 Depends on demand	Increases with level of system build-out and also build out of functional / data teams	o Maintain IT control and governance of data while empowering data scientists and business users to have easy access to all the necessary data needed to solve business issues o Ensure the analytics environment is healthy and secure o Typically comes from a computer programming/IT background o Good knowledge of databases, SQL, and cloud technologies o Will serve as Data/Information Architecture and Platform Management  if these are not separate roles

——————————
Joel Wasson.
Manager Enterprise Data & Analytics
Hawaiian Electric
——————————

Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 11:59
From: David Pope
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

Mark – thank you for reading and for your questions.  The business manager could be considered a liaison to the business unit or department for which the ACE is doing a use case; basically serves as the domain SME or “voice of your internal customer”.  

1. The “data architect” may be another role; however, I suggest this data architect “skill” could fall under the data engineer role.
2. I would prioritize these 3 postions: ACE Leader, a data engineer, and a data scientist.  If you are wondering why my reasons would be that first of all you need to have a leader for any group to be successful.  A data engineer is needed to ensure data can be accessed efficiently and to work with the data scientist to ensure the necessary analytics data preparations are done and automated.  A data scientist is needed to do the data science part.  The other roles could initially exist in other groups or a group until the business value has been proven and used to make the business case for expanding the ACE.
3. I would prioritize the different roles, along with my guidance on the number of each role based on my experience, as follows:
   1. ACE Leader – number of positions 1
   2. Data Scientist – varies but typically there are more of position V 
   3. Data Engineer – varies but typically 1 to work with/support 3 to 4 of postion II and those in position V
   4. Business Manager – 1 per line of business 
   5. Business Analyst/Citizen Data Scientist – usually the most positions once the ACE is proven and growing
   6. Value Engineer – 1 or 2 depending size of the ACE

——————————
David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197

Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 10:52
From: Mark Getecha
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

Hi David,

 

Thanks for sharing that summary of titles and skill sets that you have found important to have within a core analytics team. The value engineer was a new role that I haven’t heard of but makes sense based on the description of their role. I am not sure I fully understand the purpose of the business manager.

 

I also have some follow up questions:

1. I noticed you didn’t include a data architect. Could you please let us know why?
2. For organizations that have limited resources and can only start with 3 out of the 6 positions, which 3 would you recommend?
3. For organizations that can fully staff an ACE, how would you prioritize the list?

Thanks

 

Mark Getecha | Business Intelligence Lead

Western Area Power Administration | Headquarters, CIO

(O) 480.352.3591 | getecha[at]wapa.gov

 

 

Original Message:
Sent: 2/27/2023 8:30:00 AM
From: David Pope
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

We all know at this point to be successful at implementing analytics you need more than data scientists. Having advised organizations over all industries how to setup their own analytics center of excellence (ACE) I’ve shared this list of team members and their skill sets in a variety of presentations, papers, and even a book.   As such here is a short summary of titles and their skill sets which I’ve found is important to have within your core analytics team to help it be successful across an entire organization.   

• ACE Leader 
  • Continuously advocates for and sells the value of analytics to the rest of the organization
  • Focuses on business value not the math
  • Working knowledge of analytics and analytics architecture
• Business Manager
  • Responsible for a line of business
  • Wants the best information to help make business decisions
  • Domain expert on the related line of business
• Data Engineer
  • Maintain IT control and governance of data while empowering data scientists and business users to have easy access to all the necessary data needed to solve business issues 
  • Ensure the analytics environment is healthy and secure
  • Typically comes from a computer programming/IT background
  • Good knowledge of databases, SQL, and cloud technologies
• Data Scientist
  • Analytic expertise in at least one or more of these areas: predictive modeling, forecasting, optimization
  • Typically trained in statistics or data science and then learns programming 
  • Broadens the use of analytics and drives more informed decision making across the organization
• Business analyst/citizen data science
  • Responsible for model validation and operationalizes analytics 
  • Makes dashboards and reports that leverage analytics 
  • May develop into a future data scientist
• Value Engineer 
  • Dedicated to analytic business development
  • Helps to make the overall impact of the entire ACE team more impactful and understood across the organization
  • Works closely with all ACE members to define the business value with proposed analytics work/projects
  • Changes algorithms into business value stories and graphics to make it easier for the ACE leader to communicate with internal stakeholders/decision makers

What do you think of these roles?   Were any of them a surprise or new to you?  Did I miss a role that you have at your organization?  I hope this summary of the roles and responsibilities for a success ACE proves useful and helps to generate some productive conversations. 

——————————
David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197
——————————

[Angie Colacarro]

LIMITED DISCLOSURE

 

Our Analytic Services team was created in the summer of 2020. At the time, these were our roles:

 

1. Analytics Manager (working position that designs and implements the Data Warehouse with IT engagement).
2. Data Scientist (analyzes data through R, Python and SQL as well as builds dashboards and active BI reports through Power BI and Excel)
3. Business/Data Analyst (gathers requirements, tests DW implementations, builds dashboards and active BI reports through Power BI)

 

After approximately 2 years, we have added another role that is currently being filled by a contractor with hopes of hiring.

 

4. Data Warehouse Architect (took over design and implementation of the DW as well as being the main IT – Analytics liaison.

 

With the ever increasing role of data in our industry, we expect to be running at full capacity with 5 roles (an additional analyst) by the end of 2024.

 

 

Thanks,

 

Angie

 

——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 3/1/2023 11:00:00 AM
From: David Pope
Subject: RE: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

Joel – thank you for your interest, your summary, and your questions. 

The “Business Manager” role(s) could be within the ACE; however, more likely they would be more of a liaison, or at large member of ACE, whose primary role is leading a line of business that needs wants to use analytics to make their teams more successful.   This would make the organizational structure of the ACE a wheel and spoke type. In this case as the ACE grows you would most likely want to have a data scientist/analyst manager role(s) added in the ACE who would help guide the ACE sub-teams and act as the main contact/collaborator with all the “business managers” from lines of business.

As far as you question about a “data scientist” vs an “analytics engineer or Sr Data analyst” I’d argue we mean the same role/skills but are using different “labels”. 

Regards,
David

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David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 17:53
From: Joel Wasson
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

Thanks for raising this dialogue. Adding a framework for what I think is being discussed with some additional questions and comments. Basically you need a manager, functional lead and technical lead as a bare minimum. Increase the functional support roles first (Data/BI Analyst or Analytics Engineer), potentially including a change (Value Engineer) role, and ramp up the technical and specialty (LOB, Science) roles as the scale increases.

Thanks again.

ANALYTICS TEAM PURPOSE	ANALYTICS TEAM MEMBERS	STAFFING (Min)	STAFFING (Recommended)	Comment	ROLE-SKILL SET
Team-Capability Management	ACE Leader (Analytics Director/Manager)	One (1)	One (1)+E3:E8		o Continuously advocates for and sells the value of analytics to the rest of the organization o Focuses on business value not the math o Working knowledge of analytics and analytics architecture
	Business Manager		One (1) x LOB	Are you saying these are in the ACE, or located in LOB or either?	o Responsible for a line of business o Wants the best information to help make business decisions o Domain expert on the related line of business
	Value Engineer (Change Manager)		One (1) – 2	Interesting idea- wish I had this role; Usually embed this function between all the other manager/functional roles with the expectation being the ability to tell the story of data. Would probably staff this support as a Data Analyst.	o Dedicated to analytic business & community development o Helps to make the overall impact of the entire ACE team more impactful and understood across the organization o Works closely with all ACE members to define the business value with proposed analytics work/projects o Changes algorithms into business value stories and graphics to make it easier for the ACE leader to communicate with internal stakeholders/decision makers
Solution & Data Management	Data Scientist (Analytics Engineer, ML Engineer)		~ One (1)	Would think an “Analytics Engineer” or Sr Data Analyst function would come before a Data Science who may not be needed	Artificial Intelligence-Advanced Analytics- Data & AI Model Focused: o Analytic expertise in at least one or more of these areas: predictive modeling, forecasting, optimization o Typically trained in statistics or data science and then learns programming o Broadens the use of analytics and drives more informed decision making across the organization
	Business Data Analyst (Citizen Data Scientist, Bus Intelligence Analyst, Visualization Specialist)	One (1)	One (1) to 4 Depends on demand	…usually the most positions once the ACE is proven and growing. Would staff this first with someone who knows how to functionally  work with data models	Data Model – Analytics – Business Intelligence Focused o Responsible for model validation and operationalizes analytics o Makes dashboards and reports that leverage analytics o May develop into a future data scientist (more likely roles evolve to Sr Analyst/Analytics Engineer)
Technology Management	Data Engineer (architect/platform/DevOps)	One (1)	One (1) to 2 Depends on demand	Increases with level of system build-out and also build out of functional / data teams	o Maintain IT control and governance of data while empowering data scientists and business users to have easy access to all the necessary data needed to solve business issues o Ensure the analytics environment is healthy and secure o Typically comes from a computer programming/IT background o Good knowledge of databases, SQL, and cloud technologies o Will serve as Data/Information Architecture and Platform Management  if these are not separate roles

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Joel Wasson.
Manager Enterprise Data & Analytics
Hawaiian Electric
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 11:59
From: David Pope
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

Mark – thank you for reading and for your questions.  The business manager could be considered a liaison to the business unit or department for which the ACE is doing a use case; basically serves as the domain SME or “voice of your internal customer”.  

1. The “data architect” may be another role; however, I suggest this data architect “skill” could fall under the data engineer role.
2. I would prioritize these 3 postions: ACE Leader, a data engineer, and a data scientist.  If you are wondering why my reasons would be that first of all you need to have a leader for any group to be successful.  A data engineer is needed to ensure data can be accessed efficiently and to work with the data scientist to ensure the necessary analytics data preparations are done and automated.  A data scientist is needed to do the data science part.  The other roles could initially exist in other groups or a group until the business value has been proven and used to make the business case for expanding the ACE.
3. I would prioritize the different roles, along with my guidance on the number of each role based on my experience, as follows:
   1. ACE Leader – number of positions 1
   2. Data Scientist – varies but typically there are more of position V 
   3. Data Engineer – varies but typically 1 to work with/support 3 to 4 of postion II and those in position V
   4. Business Manager – 1 per line of business 
   5. Business Analyst/Citizen Data Scientist – usually the most positions once the ACE is proven and growing
   6. Value Engineer – 1 or 2 depending size of the ACE

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David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197

Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 10:52
From: Mark Getecha
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

Hi David,

 

Thanks for sharing that summary of titles and skill sets that you have found important to have within a core analytics team. The value engineer was a new role that I haven’t heard of but makes sense based on the description of their role. I am not sure I fully understand the purpose of the business manager.

 

I also have some follow up questions:

1. I noticed you didn’t include a data architect. Could you please let us know why?
2. For organizations that have limited resources and can only start with 3 out of the 6 positions, which 3 would you recommend?
3. For organizations that can fully staff an ACE, how would you prioritize the list?

Thanks

 

Mark Getecha | Business Intelligence Lead

Western Area Power Administration | Headquarters, CIO

(O) 480.352.3591 | getecha[at]wapa.gov

 

 

Original Message:
Sent: 2/27/2023 8:30:00 AM
From: David Pope
Subject: Do you have the right team members on your analytics center for excellence?

We all know at this point to be successful at implementing analytics you need more than data scientists. Having advised organizations over all industries how to setup their own analytics center of excellence (ACE) I’ve shared this list of team members and their skill sets in a variety of presentations, papers, and even a book.   As such here is a short summary of titles and their skill sets which I’ve found is important to have within your core analytics team to help it be successful across an entire organization.   

• ACE Leader 
  • Continuously advocates for and sells the value of analytics to the rest of the organization
  • Focuses on business value not the math
  • Working knowledge of analytics and analytics architecture
• Business Manager
  • Responsible for a line of business
  • Wants the best information to help make business decisions
  • Domain expert on the related line of business
• Data Engineer
  • Maintain IT control and governance of data while empowering data scientists and business users to have easy access to all the necessary data needed to solve business issues 
  • Ensure the analytics environment is healthy and secure
  • Typically comes from a computer programming/IT background
  • Good knowledge of databases, SQL, and cloud technologies
• Data Scientist
  • Analytic expertise in at least one or more of these areas: predictive modeling, forecasting, optimization
  • Typically trained in statistics or data science and then learns programming 
  • Broadens the use of analytics and drives more informed decision making across the organization
• Business analyst/citizen data science
  • Responsible for model validation and operationalizes analytics 
  • Makes dashboards and reports that leverage analytics 
  • May develop into a future data scientist
• Value Engineer 
  • Dedicated to analytic business development
  • Helps to make the overall impact of the entire ACE team more impactful and understood across the organization
  • Works closely with all ACE members to define the business value with proposed analytics work/projects
  • Changes algorithms into business value stories and graphics to make it easier for the ACE leader to communicate with internal stakeholders/decision makers

What do you think of these roles?   Were any of them a surprise or new to you?  Did I miss a role that you have at your organization?  I hope this summary of the roles and responsibilities for a success ACE proves useful and helps to generate some productive conversations. 

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David Pope
Senior Manager, US Energy
SAS
9192713197
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