Last week, several of the faculty members of the International Institute for Analytics (IIA) —Tom Davenport, Jeanne Harris, James Taylor, John Elder, Bill Franks, Niel Nickolaisen, Jeremy Shapiro and I—offered some predictions for analytics in the coming year. You can hear an audio recording of the discussion or read a summary about it at that link.

Our predictions included thoughts on database capacity, new analytic methods, industry consolidation - and more. In one specific prediction, we're estimating that 15 Chief Analytics Officers (CAO) will be appointed in 2011. For further elaboration on that prediction, read my post, More Strategic Placement of Analytic Talent on the IIA site. Here's a small excerpt:

The importance of providing a career path for individual contributors as well as those who take on management responsibilities is important. By finding the right skill set for the CAO, you increase your chances of retaining the really exceptional problem solvers as well as attracting more. All of us like our efforts to be appreciated. The more numerate the hiring manager, the better he or she will be able to discern and appreciate the analytical abilities—and potential—in others.

For those who are unfamiliar with the IIA, it's a new community “Dedicated to the advancement of analytics in everyday business practices. Under the direction of Tom Davenport, IIA brings together the world’s leading analytics practitioners and researchers to provide unique insights to both business and IT leaders on the most current research findings and industry best practices."