In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson discuss the concept of DecisionOps with Carolyn Mooney, Co-Founder & CEO of Nextmv. They discuss the evolution of decision-making systems, the importance of simulation and testing, and how to build trust within organizations. Carolyn shares insights on hierarchical optimization, the responsibilities of different roles in decision systems, and the latest trends in decision-making technologies, including the impact of generative AI. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear communication and collaboration between technical teams and operational users to enhance decision-making processes.

Chapters

0:00 - Preview

0:38 - Meet Carolyn Mooney

1:38 - What is DecisionOps?

3:44 - The Journey of Nextmv

6:20 - Applications of DecisionOps in Various Industries

8:30 - Simulation and Testing in DecisionOps

12:37 - Building Trust Through Testing and User Interaction

14:40 - Hierarchical Optimization and Decision Making

18:21 - Ownership and Responsibilities in DecisionOps

22:11 - Working on the Product With Clients

31:28 - Trends in Decision-Making Technologies

33:54 - Final Thoughts and Resources

Takeaways

* Decision Ops is essential for getting decisions live in organizations.

* Simulation helps in understanding the impact of decisions.

* Testing capabilities should be integrated with CI/CD platforms.

* Hierarchical optimization allows for balancing cost and service levels.

* Ownership of decision-making processes should involve operational teams.

* Prototyping and user feedback are key to successful decision systems.

Follow the show

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠

Connect with guest

Carolyn Mooney: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-m-mooney/

Nextmv: https://www.nextmv.io/

Connect with hosts

Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠

Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠

About the podcast

The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes.

For business inquiries, email at ⁠[email protected]⁠

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson engage with Karthik Gada, a CFO and author, to explore the accelerating rate of change in technology and its implications for businesses, economies, and individuals. Gada discusses how technological advancements are interconnected and how they impact various sectors, including healthcare and education. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to rapid changes, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, and leveraging individual strengths to navigate the complexities of the modern world. The conversation also touches on the challenges posed by institutional rigidity and the need for effective leadership in an era of constant disruption.

Chapters

0:00 - Preview

0:40 - Meet Kartik Gada

1:40 - Understanding Technological Disruption & Accelerating Pace of Change

4:05 - The Impact of Cost Reduction on Technology

7:40 - Bottlenecks in Healthcare and Education

12:30 - How Individuals Respond to Change

15:48 - Embracing Change and Entrepreneurial Mindset

20:50 - Education and Career Pathways in a Changing World

24:15 - Managing Economic Complexity with AI

28:20 - Leadership in an Era of Rapid Change

31:50 - Closing Thoughts

Follow the show

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠

Connect with guest

Kartik Gada: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartikgada/

Connect with hosts

Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠

Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠/

About the podcast

The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes.

For business inquiries, email at ⁠[email protected]⁠

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Laboratory podcast, Borja Menéndez, Lead Operations Research Engineer at Trucksters who also earned his PhD in OR, joins us to discuss his journey into the field of operations research, the impact of his work at Trucksters, and the importance of integrating data science with traditional optimization methods. He shares insights on the relay optimization problem, the challenges of implementing algorithms in logistics, and the significance of user-centric design in developing effective solutions. Borja also reflects on the transition of his blog, Feasible, to a paid model and the future of operations research in the context of Gen.AI.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Operations Research and Borja Menendez

01:14 The Journey into Operations Research

04:39 Real-World Applications of Operations Research

07:03 Understanding Trucksters and Relay Optimization

12:48 Challenges in Relay Optimization

16:21 Non-Technical Aspects of Implementing OR

20:15 Testing and Quality Assurance in Optimization Models

25:22 User-Centric Design in Optimization Solutions

27:47 Transitioning to a Paid Model for Feasible

29:32 Integrating Data Science with Operations Research

35:52 The Future of Operations Research and Gen.AI

Follow the show

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠

Check out Borja Menéndez's Newsletter: https://www.feasible.club/

Connect with guest

Borja Menéndez: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/borjamenendezmoreno/

Connect with hosts

Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠

Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠

About the podcast

The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes.

For business inquiries, email at ⁠[email protected]⁠

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson engage with Ben Alamar, a PhD economist and sports analytics expert. They explore the evolution of sports analytics, the impact of motion tracking technology, and the challenges of integrating data into decision-making processes in sports. Ben shares personal anecdotes about his experiences with teams, the importance of understanding risk, and the role of leadership in fostering a data-driven culture. Ben offers advice for aspiring sports analysts and concludes with recommendations for further reading.

Chapters

00:00 - Preview

1:30 - Meet Ben Alamar

3:21 - The Evolution of Sports Analytics

7:04 - Motion Tracking and Its Impact

10:03 - Translating Sports Analytics to Business

12:00 - Behavior Change and Mindset Shifts

14:40 - Risk Perception in Decision Making

19:16 - Fan Engagement and Business Objectives

20:20 - Draft Decisions: Case Studies

28:00 - Fostering Evidence-Based Culture in Sports

33:43 - Advice for Aspiring Sports Analysts

36:46 - Recommendations for Further Reading

Book Recommendations:

- "Basketball Beyond Paper" by Dean Oliver

- "Ballistic" by Henry Abbott

Check out P3 Applied Sports Science: https://www.p3.md/

Follow the show

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠

Connect with guest

Benjamin Alamar: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/benalamar/

Connect with hosts

Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠

Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠

About the podcast

The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes.

For business inquiries, email at ⁠[email protected]⁠

In this episode, Mike & Vijay sit down with Peter Cacioppi, Principal Operations Research Scientist at Decision Spot to dive into the intersection of model building and production software development. Peter shares insights on the tools he's developed, the role of Python in the Gurobi ecosystem, and the transformative impact of LLMs on software development workflows, particularly in real-time optimization. Tune in to explore the challenges and innovations in bringing production models to life.

Chapters

0:00 - Preview

1:20 - Meet Peter Caccioppi

1:47 - Integrating Computer Science in OR

7:16 - Tidy, Tested, and Safe

16:55 - The History & Utitlity of Ticdat

31:21 - GenAI's Role in OR and Software Development

Follow the show

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠

Connect with guest

Peter Cacioppi: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-cacioppi-86519210/

Connect with hosts

Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠

Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠

About the podcast

The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes.

For business inquiries, email at ⁠[email protected]⁠

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, host Vijay Mehrotra and co-host Michael Watson engage with Zahir Balaporia, an expert in analytics and decision-making. They explore the concepts of the 'last mile' and 'extra mile', and the politics of analytics. Zahir also shares real-world examples of how organizational dynamics can impact the success of analytics initiatives. The conversation highlights the significance of beliefs in decision-making, the necessity of building trust, and the challenges of change management in the face of evolving technologies like AI.

Chapters

0:00 - Preview

1:00 - Meet Zahir Balaporia

2:00 - The Last Mile & Extra Mile Problems in Supply Chain

7:24 - Real-World Examples of Analytics Failures

11:54 - Building Trust and Relationships in Analytics

21:25 - Cultural Dynamics in Technology Adoption

29:15 - The Future of Work with AI and Change Management

Follow the show

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠

Connect with guest

Zahir Balaporia: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahirbalaporia/

Connect with hosts

Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠

Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠

About the podcast

The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes.

For business inquiries, email at ⁠[email protected]⁠

In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, Ganesh Ramakrishna joins our hosts Vijay & Mike to share his journey from co-founding Opex Analytics to launching Lyric. He discusses the challenges of building a software company, the importance of fundraising with scaled ambitions, and the critical role of product-market fit. Ganesh emphasizes the need for an AI-first mindset in supply chain intelligence and the responsibilities that come with venture capital. He also highlights Lyric's innovative approach to solving supply chain problems through a comprehensive platform that integrates data, algorithms, and user experience.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ganesh Ramakrishna

03:05 The Birth of Lyric: Vision and Challenges

06:05 Navigating the Startup Landscape: Fundraising Insights

08:59 Building a Software Company: Early Stages and Funding

12:07 Achieving Product-Market Fit: Lessons Learned

14:58 The Role of Venture Capital: Control and Responsibility

17:58 Supply Chain Challenges: Lyric's Approach

21:02 AI-First Mindset: The Future of Supply Chain Intelligence

Follow the show

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠

Connect with guest

Ganesh Ramakrishna: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ganeshatalk/

Connect with hosts

Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠

Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠

About the podcast

The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes.

For business inquiries, email at ⁠[email protected]⁠

In this podcast episode, Michael Watson & Vijay Mehrotra interviews Harley Davis, Founder and CEO of Athena Decision Systems. They discuss the rise of generative AI and its integration with business rules, emphasizing the importance of reliable decision-making in mission-critical applications. Harley explains the limitations of LLMs, referring to them as 'stochastic parrots,' and highlights the challenges of scaling these technologies while ensuring privacy and compliance. The conversation also covers the role of RAG in enhancing LLM performance and shares real-world use cases where AI can improve administrative processes.

Chapters

0:00 - Introduction & Preview

1:19 - Meet Harley Davis & Athena Decision Systems

4:30 - Business Rules in Mission-Critical Applications

9:23 - Understanding LLMs and Their Limitations

12:05 - Integrating LLMs with Business Rules

14:12 - Challenges in Scaling LLMs and Privacy Concerns

17:34 - The Role of RAG in Enhancing LLM Performance

20:15 - Deploying LLMs in Real-World Applications

24:24 - Improving Administrative Processes with AI

27:10 - Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Follow the show

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠

Connect with guest

Harley Davis: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/harleydavis/

Athena Decision Systems: https://athenadecisions.com/

Connect with hosts

Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠

Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠

About the podcast

The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠[email protected]⁠

We live in a world filled where our lives and livelihoods increasingly depend on complex systems.  In this episode, Professor Laura Albert from the University of Wisconsin discusses a recent paper on the “Grand Challenges in Industrial and Systems Engineering” and offers some suggestions on how educational programs must evolve in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

Timestamps

0:00 - Preview & Introduction

3:20 - Definition & Importance of Resiliency

5:38 - The Need for Big Thinking in the Field

6:45 - Significance of case studies in bridging academia and industry needs9:00 - Rethinking educational approaches in light of GenAI advancements

11:23 - The Threat of Irrelevance for Industrial & Systems Engineering

12:55 - Challenges of Teaching with GenAI

13:55 - Lessons from COVID-19: Supply Chain Resiliency

16:32 - AI in Decision-Making and Governance

18:15 - Identifying and managing trade-offs

21:24 - Barriers to Impact in Data Science and OR Fields

23:45 - Cybersecurity as an Opportunity for Industrial and Systems Engineering & Operational Research

26:10 - The 'Equifax Breach Story'

29:10 - Laura Albert’s blog

Follow the show

Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠⁠

Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠⁠

Connect with guest

Laura Albert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalbertphd

Laura's Blog: https://punkrockor.com/

Connect with hosts

Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠⁠

Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠⁠

About the podcast

The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes.

For business inquiries, email at  [email protected]

Keywords:

Industrial Engineering, Grand Challenges, Resiliency, Education, AI, Cybersecurity, Supply Chain, Governance, Decision-Making, Operations Research, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Operations Research, Resiliency, Complex Systems, Cybersecurity, Supply Chain, Education, Case Studies, Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI (GenAI), AI Governance, Engineering Curriculum, AI Ethics, Human-AI Teaming, Systems Thinking, Optimality, AI Audits, Workforce Training, Trade-offs, Data Science Projects, Impact Measurement, Public Outreach, Software Supply Chains, Power Systems, Digital Transformation, Decision-Making, Risk Management, Academic Blogging

In this episode’ of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast we have Doug Gray, Director of Data Science at Walmart Global Tech and co-author of Why Data Science Project Fail. Whether you are a business leader trying to capture value from your analytic investments, a practicing data scientist, or a student in a technical field aspiring to bring your skills to solve real world problems, this episode will provide you with valuable insights, examples, suggestions, and inspiration.

Chapters

0:00 - Preview, & Introductions

2:30 - Birth of Why Data Science Projects Fail?

4:36 - Top 5 People-Related Factors in Data Science Project Failure

13:00 - Cost and Complexity Beyond the Model

20:34 - Business User Resistance to “Black Box” Models

26:17 - Doug’s Estimate of an Optimal Failure Rate

31:20 - Organizational Maturity and Its Impact on Success

36:50 - Doug's Recommendations

Follow the show

Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠

Connect with guest

Doug Gray: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-gray-06bb4a4/

Books:

1. Why Data Science Projects Fail2:  The Art of Data Science: A Practitioner's GuideConnect with hosts

Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠

Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠

Additional Notes:

BOOK: All in on AI

ARTICLE:  "$100 of Implementation for $1 of modeling"

About the podcast

The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes.

For business inquiries, email at [email protected]

Keywords

Project failure, analytics, organizational maturity, change management, Doug Gray, decision science, business value, success rates, data science projects, AI implementation, analytics failure rates, organizational maturity, change management, communication challenges, project management, unrealistic expectations, technology focus, business value, key performance indicators (KPIs), stakeholder engagement, decision intelligence, model deployment, production systems, data pipelines, integration challenges, testing and validation, airline operations research, supply chain optimization, cost avoidance, AI adoption in business, center of excellence, subject matter experts, user interface design, interactive optimization, prompt engineering, business process alignment, success rates in analytics, learning from failure