Analysis
Discovering and monitoring metrics, through the use of mathematics/statistics, that describe team performance, behavior, strategy, value, or success.
‘Sports Analytics’ is a term that has been misused and abused by the media and popular culture. Many people now equate ‘Sports Analytics’ to the mathematical or statistical methods for analyzing sports data. This is not accurate. ‘Sports Analytics’ actually encompasses all the steps in the overall process, including the Data Management, and Visualization steps.
In actuality, the math/statistics portion can be included in a step called ‘Analysis’. This Analysis step includes a wide range of sophisticated data analysis methods, but also includes less rigorous methods that do not rely on fancy math/statistics such as trending and monitoring of basic metrics and stats. So the Analysis step is not reserved only for the statistician or mathematician, but can include staff and management as well.
The primary goal of the Analysis step is to evaluate the data that has been collected to determine what can be learned from it. Does the data suggest an explanation of how a team or player behaves and if those behaviors can be influenced positively (if it’s your team) or negatively (if it is your opponent). If so, this is information that has been created from the raw data. This information can be distributed throughout the organization to enable decisions and action.
Analysis can also help you understand what data is important and should be monitored closely or what data is not useful and safe to ignore. As the volumes of data steadily increase, knowing what data is important or not important is a crucial advantage, saving time, effort, and resources.
The leading sports franchises, brands, and businesses have learned that this analysis work is where you can find ways to separate yourself from the herd. The more you know about the factors that influence performance, behavior, strategy, value, or success then the more of an advantage you will have over your opponent. The key is to create an environment where the Analysis can be done easily, quickly, accurately, and incorporated into the day to day work of a variety of staff, not just the stats guy.