Center for Analytics Impact

About the Wake Forest Center for Analytics Impact

The Wake Forest University Center for Analytics Impact (CAI) is focused on the impact of analytics. As the first academic center to go beyond methodology to emphasize the non-technical aspects of the effective use of analytics, the goals of the center are:

• To be the leading authority on empirical research in the success or failure of analytics and its impact on organizations and society
• To be the premier provider for continuing education in the areas that can mitigate the difficulties posed by issues that inhibit the success of analytics
• To host world-class seminars and conferences that will disseminate thought leadership around analytics impact

Mission Statement

The research mission of the Center for Analytics Impact is to examine factors that lead to the successful application of analytics to improve the leadership and operations of organizations.  Importantly, we also explore lessons learned from the failure of such endeavors.

The educational mission of the Center for Analytics Impact is:

(1) to provide continuing education opportunities for corporations around effective influencing with analytics, storytelling, analytics leadership and how to be successful in implementing impactful analytics

(2) to provide conference and seminar experience for business partners and academia around impactful analytics

(3) to support the degree programs in the Wake Forest University School of Business by providing student projects and case studies for classroom use; leading-edge training in how to influence and drive impact with analytics; and extracurricular activities such as case competitions and internships to deepen the applied learning of these skills.

Primary Activities:

To advance the mission in research and education, within those broad categories, the Center focuses on a variety of activities, including:

• Research –The Center engages faculty and students to conduct research on analytics impact to better understand success factors and impediments for impactful analytics. These include among others, resistance to change, problem framing and structuring, communication, organizational structure, leadership, analytics maturity, and team performance.
• Education – Through executive and continuing education events, seminars, non-credit short courses, and the development of case studies, the Center expands awareness, educate, and deepen expertise in analytics impact. These educational opportunities are a direct result of the research activities of the Center. In addition to these educational events, member companies have the opportunity to engage in B2B meetings to exchange best practices.
• Promotion – The Center disseminates research findings, and advocates for, a broader understanding of analytics impact. An annual Conference on Analytics Impact will bring together analytics practitioners and academics focused on analytics impact.

Students:  Students from a variety of Masters and Undergraduate Wake Forest programs will be among those engaged in the Center’s educational and practical opportunities. The Center will also make fellowship opportunities available to students particularly dedicated to careers in analytics.

Partner Organizations:  Companies and non-profits seeking to enhance their abilities to apply these business analytics methods will be engaged through a variety of activities. Organizations that choose to join the Center as sponsors will receive enhanced benefits, such as guaranteed seats at short courses and seminars, advance opportunities to work with student groups on their applied projects, and better access to Wake Forest faculty and other business analytics professionals.

Faculty:  Faculty who are affiliated with the Center will develop and deliver educational events on various business analytics topics, advise students on applied projects, and be called upon to advise partnering organizations.