Data Analytics: A Road Map for Expanding Analytics Capabilities

The recent evolution of data and analytics provides organizations with limitless opportunities to capture more value. Most organizations know they need to implement analytics in their operations, but many struggle with how best to do that. The material in this book will help managers and decision makers gain the necessary perspective to develop a strategy or hone existing efforts even as continued innovation and technological advances are creating new applications for technologies. The first several chapters provide an overview of the critical elements of an analytics effort, discuss a framework for digital transformation, and cover how to identify the highest-value priorities. The last three chapters discuss specific applications of analytics in internal audit and offer detailed examples. Readers will learn about: The keys to analytics success The changing data and analytics needs of companies A digital transformation to unlock analytics Defining, scoring, and determining priorities Detecting trends and patterns through blended data How to measure the value of analytics How to apply analytics to an enterprisewide risk assessment This book will be of interest to executive leaders, chief audit executives (CAEs), and internal auditors who want to make a case for investing in analytics.

Richard Cline is the managing director of data analytics at Grant Thornton. He has 35 years of management and technology consulting experience and specializes in technology transformation, systems implementation, and analytics solutions. He has extensive experience with programs that optimize and monetize a wide variety of digital and physical assets. Ward Melhuish, CSSGB, is a principal with Grant Thornton where he serves as the advisory leader for the firm s consumer and industrial products industry team as well as the advisory services leader for data analytics. He has more than 30 years of experience and specializes in performance improvement and transformation services. Meredith Murphy, CFE, CAMS, is a director within Grant Thornton s Data Analytics Center of Excellence. She has spent more than 16 years helping clients create and protect value. Her primary areas of focus are developing and executing growth strategies, enabling clients with analytic insights, and providing forensic and investigative expertise.