Is self-service analytics just a pipe dream? Over the past 5-6 months I have been connecting and speaking with numerous Chief Analytics Officers (CAOs) and de-facto CAOs to really understand what drives them, what bugs them and ultimately, how they see their role evolving over the next few years. It is based on this research that I have produced for the Chief Analytics Officer Europe forum, which is taking place in London on 25-27 April.

I recently caught up with one of our speakers, Alan Gormley, CAO at Mobacar, a company that’s been known for its ground transportation distribution platform. During our conversation, he shared some interesting insights on embedding analytics at the heart of every business, the ‘death of Excel’ and his vision for self-service analytics. Read on.

Corinium: Please tell us about your journey to becoming a CAO.

Alan Gormley: After nearly 20 years in data and analytics, I found myself in the latest “next best thing” that is analytics. Years on the vendor side, working with a lot of organisations who were the real, early adopters of advanced analytics gave me a broad view. For a time, the technology was really exciting. But now, I think the most interesting place to be in is a position where one could really exploit data, as companies are now more primed to listen. That has been the real driver for me to join Mobacar as CAO.

Corinium: What would you consider as the biggest challenge you are facing right now? 

Alan Gormley: I believe advanced analytics should be at the centre of what, today, are usually dumb applications. The challenge I face over the next 12 months has two aspects: How to create a truly industrial scale analytics process with a small team; and then, how do we make sure that it is being fully utilised in core applications.

At the micro level, I expect analytics to be embedded in transactional systems, making millisecond decisions, where today, there is strict logic. 

Corinium: Do you see the role of the CAO changing/evolving in the next 5 years? If so, how?

Alan Gormley: I expect it to change beyond recognition. As more decisions are being made analytically, organisations have come to expect more, leading to an explosion in analytical needs. CAOs will find themselves becoming more embedded in the business, providing technical and advisory services on how best to exploit data. On the technical side, CAOs need to get closer to CTOs to put analytics at the centre of application development.

Corinium: What role do you see analytics playing in the next 5-10 years?

Alan Gormley: Eventually, we won’t have analytics, just business. But there is a long way to go. While there are great examples of analytics being applied today, very few embed them into decision-making processes. I expect this to change radically. At the micro level, I expect analytics to be embedded in transactional systems, making millisecond decisions, where today, there is strict logic. On the macro level, I expect businesses to start using much richer analytics, especially predictive, optimization, and forecasting for strategic planning.

Corinium: What is your ultimate goal as a Chief Analytics Officer (CAO)? 

Alan Gormley: I would say, the death of Excel. I know it’s useful but businesses use it because they are not getting everything they need from us in a reliable, controlled fashion. Ultimately, businesses should regard data and analytics as a service, like electricity. We are a long way off that, which makes it a very exciting time. But my real goal is self-service analytics for the masses, allowing true analytics resources to focus on exciting new areas. This is not just a pipe dream. I believe it’s a goal that can be achieved.

To hear more from Alan Gormley, join us at the Chief Analytics Officer Europe, where Alan will be discussing the importance of creating an analytics culture and how Mobacar is driving a personalised customer experience through the use of analytics. For more info, visit: www.coriniumintelligence.com/chiefanalyticsofficereurope

By Naomi Lasade: 

Naomi Lasade is the Programme Director – CAO Europe at Corinium Global Intelligence. You may reach her at naomi.lasade@coriniumintelligence.com

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