Our Six Step Analytical Process
We apply a structured approach to Workplace Analytics framed around the disciplines of social science research and business management practices. Our analysis is guided by our expertise in statistics and knowledge in solving key workforce challenges. This blending of methods is essential to guide the exploration of the initial problem, to hypothesize causal links, to identify relevant data, and to build valid solutions.
While every challenge and engagement is unique, we believe our Six Step framework for tackling workforce issues can be applied to ensure analysis is correctly focused and fruitful. It involves the following six steps:
- Understand the central problem. In the push for action, executives may mistake the symptoms for the disease and act before they fully take stock of the problem. The determination to pursue data based answers ensures that the solution fits the problem.
- Apply a conceptual model. Overcome the problem of “too much data, too little information.” Applying a conceptual model outlines the potential causes and solutions to be investigated. When combined with a company’s business and operational constraints, clear hypotheses about underlying causes can be formed.
- Focus data collection. Avoid drowning in the data ocean. The conceptual model informs what data are critical and what might need to be captured in the future.
- Analyze the data. Illuminate the causes and potential answers to the challenges the organization is facing, as well as the requirements, costs, and benefits of solutions. Uncovering the relationships that emerge from the data results in fact-based solutions with real return on investment.
- Present the findings to stakeholders. Engage the stakeholders in understanding and elaborating their views of the research results. This process builds commitment to undertaking the proposed changes in processes, organization, and people, and provides opportunities to fine tunes changes in order to realize the full benefit of the analysis.
- Define action steps to implement the solution. This step produces a clear road map and time line to guide workers and managers in implementing the change process. The actions and decisions required by the implementation must be supported and monitored as well as the desired outcomes.
Once this analytics research process is complete, focus shifts to building the solutions — ensuring they are maintainable, sustainable and are able to effectively capture and integrate feedback and innovation.