Asoka Diggs

After 15+ years of experience in a variety of data management disciplines, including database administration, ER modeling, ETL development, and data architecture, I have transitioned into the world of analytics / data science. It turns out that there IS something even more fun than ER modeling, and I've found it. It seems like every project I've worked on for 5 or more years has involved text - getting textual data sources, extracting information from text, and using text related information in analytical models. Some of these projects with spreadsheet scale data, and some of them with cluster scale (Spark / Hadoop) scale data. I continue to be fascinated by the organizational transformation involved in adopting analytics as a source of competitive advantage. How does an organization get there? Do job descriptions and training change? What organization design and leadership changes are needed to get the most benefit from analytics? My work life involves practicing these analytic modeling skills, and teaching others how to participate and contribute to predictive analytic projects.