# Purpose and Mistrust in Analytics By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2023-04-27 The biggest problem facing analytics today is not technology, data, or processes. It is purpose followed closely by leadership. Most analysts, managers, and executives can't coherently and succinctly express the purpose of analysis within the organization beyond the bumper sticker slogans. As a result, when things don't work, everyone focuses on technology, data, and processes because these are tangible. Why do all of our houses fall down? Let's make sure all the hammers, nails, blueprints, and materials are the right ones. Instead, shouldn't we start with the people building the house? You might learn very quickly that they don't know what they are doing or that they don't know why they are doing something outlined in the blueprint. All context is lost and no purpose exists. If you come to me saying you have an analytics problem and then show me technologies, data, and processes, you are exactly right. You do have an analytics problem. You are focused on all the wrong things regarding analytics. The question is whether you are really open to solving the bigger problem. It's easy to buy new technologies and data, or fix processes. It's hard to look in the mirror and realize you don't know what you are talking about. It's hard to change hearts and minds. It's hard to part ways with traditions and humans who aren't aligned with the future of the organization. If you don't know what you are talking about, you'll need to place trust in someone who you think does. Modern organizations, executive leaders, and managers primarily live in a world of mistrust, so analytics continues to flounder while data and technology vendors make out like bandits. #### Related Items [[Analytics]] [[Trust]] [[Problem Solving]] [[Management]] [[Organization]] [[Purpose]]