The Final Deliverable

 The completion of analytics work is not solely about crunching numbers; it extends to effectively communicating findings to relevant stakeholders. In academia, this often takes the form of essays and reports, ranging from 1,000 to 7,000 words. In consulting and business, the final deliverable varies widely, from concise documents to comprehensive reports, with large firms like McKinsey and Deloitte often producing analytics-driven reports to showcase their expertise.

One example is Deloitte's "United States Economic Forecast," a 24-page report from December 2014. It skillfully employs data visualization and narrative to communicate insights. Contrary to popular belief, it emphasizes the robustness of economic and job growth in the U.S. It incorporates elements of storytelling, citing Voltaire and maintaining a thematic focus on positive economic news.

The report utilizes time series plots to illustrate market trends, including GDP growth and consumer spending. Narrative elements touch on income inequality, referencing Thomas Piketty's work. Graphics cover various sectors, international trade, labor, financial markets, and prices. The appendix supports the findings with tables for the discussed scenarios.

Deloitte's report exemplifies effective storytelling with data. The narrative enhances the impact of the analytics, conveying a powerful message about the U.S. economy and establishing Deloitte's competence in economic analysis.

The process of developing such a deliverable involves careful planning and conceptualization. Before analysis begins, discussions on the report's scope and key message occur. This initial planning is crucial for producing a compelling document. Analytics undertaken without considering the final deliverable may result in a document where analytics and narrative struggle to harmonize. The success of analytics, therefore, depends not only on the data and insights but also on the thoughtful construction of a narrative that resonates with the intended audience.