Chapter 13.1

Personal Analytics

Abstract

In addition to corporate data, there are individual data, or personal data. Personal data
typically reside on the PC or work station. In many ways, the personal data environment
becomes an individual “sandbox.” The essence of personal data is autonomy of
processing. Because of the autonomy of processing, personal data normally are not mixed
with corporate data.

Keywords

Personal data; Personal sandbox; Personal computer; Spreadsheet; Integrity of data

In every corporation, there are two levels of decision-making—the corporate level of
decision-making and the personal level of decision-making. The corporate level of
decision-making is a formal and even regulated environment. The personal level of
decision-making is informal.

There is a big difference between the corporate level of decision-making and the personal
level of decision-making. The corporate level of decision-making is where there are
contracts, management decisions, and even compliance regulations. There is
responsibility to the shareholders at this level of decision-making.

The other level of decision-making is the personal level of decision-making. The personal
level of decision-making is off the cuff, individual, and informal. There usually is not any
audit trail here. Personal decisions are made spontaneously and the needs for personal
decision-making as fluid, changing as often as every minute.

The personal analyst can look at data—any data—through the facilities of the personal
analytic environment. The analyst can look at corporate data or personal data. The
analyst can look at data in his/her time frame. There is no time constraint on doing
personal analysis.

Fig. 13.1.1 shows the two kinds of decision-making.

Chapter 13.1: Personal Analytics