# Analytics Needs a Purpose By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-06-11 A fundamental nature of analysis is that it is pointless without a purpose. If one does not have an objective, there is nothing to analyze. Therefore, no matter how much one desires for analytics to produce insights and generate a return on investment, one will be left shrugging if there is no objective. One could produce vast amounts of capabilities and knowledge that sit on the shelf ready to be used, but if the organization does not know where to go, all the analytics products in the world gather dust. This is so even if the organization comprises individuals well-versed in analytics. Knowing and understanding are not simply enough - one must still pursue something. Even the act of declaring that one must figure out what to pursue is enough for the capabilities of analytics to engage. At least in this situation, one can begin the search. However, these wide-open declarations of finding a strategy or objective are often insufficient to maximize the value of analysis. At this stage, one is only philosophizing. While this is essential to being an analysis, it alone provides an incomplete picture of what actualization for the self and the organization is possible. Analytics is, first and foremost, a means of understanding the world in the pursuit of action. All the gauges and lights on a car's dashboard mean nothing if the vehicle is not running and going somewhere. Organizations with no purpose or objective may do many things, but the lack of intention implies a lack of meaningful analysis. Building a solid, practical, beautiful, and useful bridge requires knowing what gap one wishes to cross. #### Related Items [[Analytics]] [[Purpose]] [[Organization]] [[Objective]] [[Philosophy]] [[Self-Actualization]] [[Knowledge]]