# Making Assumptions Explicit By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2023-02-24 Analytics is having a moment. Much of the attention is on the increasing accumulation of data and advancements in computational power and model complexity. More advanced things are being done to increasingly expansive data. There is promise in this. However, one of the most beneficial aspects of applied analytics is something more basic. Analysis would be useful if the only thing it accomplished was helping us to make explicit our assumptions. Individuals and organizations operate on a host of implicit and explicit assumptions. Analysis is useful in making some of the implicit assumptions explicit. When assumptions are understood there is an opportunity to learn. What conforms to our assumptions? What is disconfirming our assumptions? An awareness of these experiences allows one to refine and improve. There is a benefit to attempting to optimize the high-tech/low-tech ratio when it comes to analytics. At a minimum, in our zeal for what the advanced applications of analytics promises one benefits from maintaining focus too on the most immediate benefits that are already available for incorporation. There is no need to wait, the future is now. #### Related Items [[Analytics]] [[Assumptions]] [[Learning]]