In this episode, Amir Bormand chats with Sarah Guidry, Head of Analytics and Data Science at LendingTree, about the intricacies of organizing work in data science. They explore frameworks for structuring work, stakeholder expectations, balancing quick wins with long-term goals, and how data teams can create space for innovation while delivering high-value results. If you’ve ever struggled with project prioritization, stakeholder buy-in, or maintaining agility in an ever-evolving data landscape, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

• Start with the End in Mind: Planning ahead ensures work is structured effectively and aligns with business needs.

• Stakeholder Alignment is Critical: Managing expectations and keeping stakeholders engaged prevents them from going rogue with their own makeshift solutions.

• Empower Business Users: Giving stakeholders access to structured, small data enables them to answer straightforward questions independently.

• Iterative Delivery Builds Trust: Regular updates help prevent surprises and align data insights with business needs in real-time.

• Don’t Plan to 100% Capacity: Leaving buffer time allows teams to handle ad-hoc requests without disrupting long-term priorities.

• R&D is Vital for Innovation: Dedicated time for exploration—like "Focus Fridays" and hackathons—fuels creativity and keeps the team ahead of the curve.

• Prioritization Frameworks Work: Implementing a "Must Do / Should Do" list creates clarity and helps balance workload distribution.

Timestamped Highlights:

• [00:00:00] Introduction to Sarah Guidry and LendingTree’s role in financial services.

• [00:02:00] What does it mean to organize work in data science?

• [00:04:00] The challenge of stakeholder expectations and delivering value.

• [00:06:00] The evolution of business intelligence and enabling self-service for stakeholders.

• [00:08:00] Why analytics is like investigative journalism—constant iteration is key.

• [00:10:00] Setting expectations upfront to buy time and align priorities.

• [00:12:00] Balancing speed with sustainability—delivering quick wins without technical debt.

• [00:15:00] Avoiding surprises—how to maintain proactive communication with stakeholders.

• [00:18:00] Managing work effectively through prioritization meetings.

• [00:20:00] Creating space for R&D: Focus Fridays, hackathons, and experimentation.

• [00:23:00] Using a “Must Do / Should Do” framework for clear prioritization.

• [00:24:00] How Sarah's team integrates learning and innovation into their workflow.

• [00:25:00] Closing thoughts and where to reach Sarah Guidry for further discussion.

Quote of the Episode:

"Analytics is investigative journalism—you don’t always know what you’re looking for, but through exploration and iteration, you uncover the most valuable insights." – Sarah Guidry

Connect with Sarah Guidry:

📩 LinkedIn: Sarah Guidry

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