The analytics field is ever-changing, which can create many challenges for professionals -- especially those with massive amounts of data.

We reached out to our speakers and sponsors of Analytics 2012 to ask what are the obstacles they’re facing today.

“In my opinion, the biggest challenge is positioning Analytics as a necessary and strategic asset to an organization – and managed accordingly.  Far too often Analytics is placed as an adjunct function of Finance, Operations, IT, or some other corporate division.  Furthermore, future trends in development and customer management show that – in many cases – Analytics is the product.” Glenn Bailey, Manheim Auctions

“First and foremost, rising costs.  In a tough economy, affordable solutions to evaluate data and present results need to be available.  Second, and equally important, is that analytics professionals need to do more than just create reports.  They need to be helping consult with the recipients on how the reports should be used, and advice on any action that can be taken from the reports.   This is one of the biggest gaps I have continually encountered throughout my career.  In fact, I believe that the lack of skill from many analytics professionals to solve #2 is directly correlated with the difficulties to obtain funding to execute #1”. Steve VanWieren, Ultimate Software

“Lack of administration of unstructured data. It is not only about categorizing, storing and sharing; you need to ensure data quality. Also, you need a robust and constant process that generates it so you can compare yesterday's data with today's and an understanding of what approaches can really add something of interest to the final user of the analytical processes.” Manuel Sanchez, BBVA Bancomer

“Analytics professionals are not only challenged with the amount of data, otherwise known as big data, but the disparate data that is coming out of multiple systems and how you can turn data into information. In our world, analytics can optimize supply chains or you can use analytics in actuarial work, those are concrete things. Boxes don’t move. But in the HR world, when you apply it to people, these environments are dynamic and changing, people are moving. There still is the “art of HR” even when doing analytics work. Understand human behavior so you can put context behind what the numbers are telling you.”  Gene Pease, Capital Analytics

These are the kinds of discussions you can get involved in at Analytics 2012 in Las Vegas next week. Can’t make it? Share your ideas about the challenges in the analytics field by leaving a comment below.