The Agilist vs

The Data Scientist

Elaine McVey, Director of Quantitative Mobility, TransLoc

Eric Hannan, Agile Practices Lead,TransLoc

The PlaybillAct I - Can data science be a team sport?Act II - Vertical slicing, no way, not in data science!

Act III - Data science backlog … from whence?

Cast of CharactersThe Data Scientist

Played by Elaine McVey

The Agilist

Played by Eric Hannan

Act I - Can data science be a team sport?

(cross-functionality)

Data Science Takeaway

Cross functionality is more than members on a team, it describes how you work

Agile Takeaway

Data science hasn’t historically been a team sport, we are breaking new ground

Act II - Vertical slicing, no way, not in data science!

(iteration)

Data Science Takeaway

Iteration can be done in many ways, and there is surprising value in getting something in front of the user as soon as possible

Agile Takeaway

The outputs of data science and software are very different

Act III - Data science backlog…from whence?

(stakeholders and users)

Data Science Takeaway

The disciplined prioritization of work is important

Agile Takeaway

Data science is not widely understood which requires a different approach

Takeaways - Agile

● Don’t assume the same things will work, we must adapt the method

● Drop the jargon, talk about the practices and principles● Data Science discipline is maturing in how it works in

organizations and teams

Takeaways - Data Science

Contact info

elaine.mcvey@transloc.com

Twitter: @eamcvey

eric.hannan@transloc.com

Twitter: @erichannan320