article thumbnail

To Make Better Decisions, Combine Datasets

Harvard Business Review

Using analytics, the city found a non-obvious systemic relationship—one where the dots may never have been connected otherwise—with costly unintended consequences: In fiscal year 2010, the budget allocated to the Parks and Recreation department for tree pruning was sharply reduced. Decision making Information & technology Strategy'

article thumbnail

Should Higher Education Be Free?

Harvard Business Review

According to the American Institute of Physics (PDF) , as of 2010, there are about 9,400 physics teachers teaching undergraduates every September in the United States. If we had 10 of the very best teach physics online and employed the other 9,390 as mentors, would most students get a better quality of education?

article thumbnail

Data Can Open College Doors for Disadvantaged Kids

Harvard Business Review

A revolution in information technology has transformed businesses around the globe over the past two decades. More recently, companies have discovered that technology-enabled data is an underappreciated but highly valuable asset. A parallel transformation is now taking hold in the nonprofit sector. But it's worth the effort.