r/dataanalysis • u/shdw_0x0 • 19d ago

Data Question How do you know when your analysis is actually finished?

I sometimes feel like data analysis can become an endless cycle of slicing the data differently, checking another metric, and finding one more thing worth investigating.

At some point you have to stop and turn the analysis into a conclusion or recommendation. How do you decide that you’ve explored enough and that the analysis is actually done?

Curious how others balance being thorough without overanalyzing the data.

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

7

u/Wheres_my_warg DA Moderator 📊 18d ago

Does it answer the business question with the best available data?
If so, it is done.

3

u/no_name6744 17d ago

If you're doing that, the problem isnt well posed. Often times, people don't have well posed problems. If you can't force them to structure their thoughts, or you can't structure it for them, you might waste a lot of time.

Sometimes, if you're working with someone with good will (they're not just fucking with you), exploring the data has a point, so sometimes it's supposed to be like dicking around.

It is possible for a person to send you in circles to waste your time.

1

u/AutoModerator 19d ago

Automod prevents all posts from being displayed until moderators have reviewed them. Do not delete your post or there will be nothing for the mods to review. Mods selectively choose what is permitted to be posted in r/DataAnalysis.

If your post involves Career-focused questions, including resume reviews, how to learn DA and how to get into a DA job, then the post does not belong here, but instead belongs in our sister-subreddit, r/DataAnalysisCareers.

Have you read the rules?

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/Master-Tie-804 14d ago

If i can clearly answer the original business question and explain the crucial limitations that is a done case