## Steps 1. Phrase the ask in terms of the business [objective](1.%20Validate%20the%20objective.md). 1. Envision what a worthy answer might look like. - What do you expect or estimate the final answer to be? - How would you answer the question manually? - How would you frame such a potential answer? - Is initial data exploration and analysis needed before you can define a good answer (remember: "elephant carpaccio")? - What approach do you want to take to answer the question? (Data analytics "only", descriptive statistics, predictive modeling, automation, etc.) - How will your answer be used? 1. How should success be measured? - Define the obstacle you expect to overcome. - Ensure that performance measures align with the objective (or its key results). - What is the minimal outcome needed to overcome the obstacle? - What is the minimum performance needed to reach the objective? 1. List the assumptions you or others have made so far. - Verify those assumptions if possible. ## Pitfalls - Misleading success metrics. Next up is [3. Plan the analysis](3.%20Plan%20the%20analysis.md).