How to use this book

The chapters are organized by project responsibility rather than by a fixed schedule. A project team will often move back and forth among them as its understanding develops.

1. Define the problem, audience, decision, and scope.
2. Plan the work, responsibilities, milestones, and risks.
3. Document, protect, and understand the data.
4. Conduct a reproducible exploratory analysis.
5. Add secondary evidence where it improves context or measurement.
6. Select, justify, and evaluate analytical methods.
7. Develop forecasts, projections, insights, and recommendations.
8. Communicate the work through professional reports, presentations, and handoff materials.

The chapters can also be used independently. A reader preparing a data dictionary can begin with that chapter, while a team revising a presentation can move directly to storytelling, visualization, or professional delivery. Cross-references connect topics that depend on one another.