Analyzing the Analyzers

Data science has become increasingly important in today's business landscape, but the lack of clear communication between data scientists and organizations seeking their help can lead to misunderstandings. This report by Harlan Harris, Sean Murphy, and Marck Vaisman aims to address this issue by identifying four distinct subgroups of data scientists, each with a unique set of skills. The authors' survey of over 200 data science practitioners revealed striking differences in how they view their roles, careers, and experiences. The report delves into these findings, exploring cases where miscommunication has occurred between data scientists and organizations looking to hire. It also explains the benefits of 'T-shaped' data scientists, who possess a broad range of skills, and provides guidance on how organizations can apply the survey results to identify, train, integrate, team up, and promote data scientists. By providing a new vocabulary for data science roles, teams, and career paths, this report offers valuable insights for anyone looking to understand the complexities of data science and its applications in business.