In today’s complex, fast-paced database environment, collaboration—the intense peer-to-peer conversations that result in products, decisions, and knowledge sharing—is absolutely essential to success. But all too often, attempts to collaborate degenerate into agonizing discussions or ineffectual problem solving. Compound this process with the need for clean and accurate data within an organization’s database structure and the risk of poor decision making becomes exponentially higher. The emphasis of this book is on the discussion of ways in which classical data analysis techniques, through close collaboration, can be adapted to meet challenging organizational changes. The authors are quick to point out that proper problem solving within the corporate environment has too often neglected to follow a comprehensive, disciplined, and value-added process because of the seduction and inappropriate use of impressive methodology and technology. They contend that the efficient use of huge amounts of data and the involvement of all “stakeholders” facilitates problem solving if carried out through careful analysis and corporate-wide evaluation. Successful solutions that require collaborative teams in problem solving, data management and data analysis are showcased throughout the book.
