Winning with Data Science: A Handbook for Business Leaders

by Howard Steven Friedman, Akshay Swaminathan

Whether you are a newly minted MBA or a project manager at a Fortune 500 company, data science will play a major role in your career. Knowing how to communicate effectively with data scientists in order to obtain maximum value from their expertise is essential. This book is a compelling and comprehensive guide to data science, emphasizing its real-world business applications and focusing on how to collaborate productively with data science teams.

Taking an engaging narrative approach, Winning with Data Science covers the fundamental concepts without getting bogged down in complex equations or programming languages. It provides clear explanations of key terms, tools, and techniques, illustrated through practical examples. The book follows the stories of Kamala and Steve, two professionals who need to collaborate with data science teams to achieve their business goals. Howard Steven Friedman and Akshay Swaminathan walk readers through each step of managing a data science project, from understanding the different roles on a data science team to identifying the right software. They equip readers with critical questions to ask data analysts, statisticians, data scientists, and other technical experts to avoid wasting time and money. Winning with Data Science is a must-read for anyone who works with data science teams or is interested in the practical side of the subject.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published January 30, 2024

About the author

Howard Steven Friedman, a leading statistician and health economist, is an expert in data science and applications of cost-benefit analysis. He teaches at Columbia University.

Reviews

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to need to read this at least one more time. So much information! So many ideas!
This book was so great because, instead of just listing out information, there are pretend scenarios where you can see how people really work with data, including possible dangers of sharing information and other potential problems. I highly recommend this for people working in data science and/or business to learn how to apply these concepts.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC

[Stacy Brunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

My team knows I’m not the person for any sort of math. But I really want to understand enough about data, algorithms, and statistics to be able to generate a vision for future products.

To that end, Winning with Data Science is a succinct overview of how product managers and other business people can wrap their heads around conceptualizing how big data and artificial intelligence can solve business problems. It covers the roles and expertise necessary on a data science team. You’ll learn about sourcing and processing data to get it ready for deeper analysis.

My favorite chapter was when a team of pretend data scientists held a “hackathon” to determine what other methods they might use to solve a business problem introduced earlier in the book. It was a fun way to learn (and keep straight in my head!) the different methodologies and why each produced better or more lackluster results.

The chapter on project management was my least favorite and could be left out. Anyone who’s reading this book likely already knows how project management happens - there isn’t anything added here that is specific to the data science activities.

[Maria Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and broach insight to data science from a project and data governance perspective, an area of professional interest for me. It provided practical observations on engaging and working with data science teams to provide business driver insights and deliver real value to business areas. Well written with clear examples. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last years of school or first year university primer on how to use data. Contacts useful basic information on aspects data specific and more broadly such as project management. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for a DRC.

[Josua Naiborhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a machine learning engineer myself, I found the book's narrative captivating. I really enjoyed reading it. It opens up some new ideas when it comes to interacting with anyone involved building data science projects and what kind of approaches I need to bring on to nontechnical people for thought-provoking questions that they will likely to ask. Really loved this book.

[Denise Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winning with Data Science is an extremely useful primer on data analysis and the world of data science. It was a very accessible book which took a story telling perspective to explain concepts. I really enjoyed learning through the eyes of a finance and healthcare manager how they structure and use data science to answer questions step by step. As a manager of the first data scientist on my team, the book has given me the introduction and understanding on how to communicate better. I plan to buy copies for other team members as well.