The Decision Intelligence Lab

The Decision Intelligence Lab
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The Decision Intelligence Lab explores practical challenges of applying data science, analytics, and AI to drive real-world business outcomes. Hosted by Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University) and Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco) — both seasoned entrepreneurs, consultants, and researchers — this podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, & anyone seeking to leverage data for smarter decision making. Each episode features leaders sharing how smarter decisions are reshaping business and technology. Subscribe to join the conversation.

  1. 6D AGO

    #22 John Brandon Elam: Building a Decision Factory in Large Organizations

    Make better business decisions with data and AI—subscribe to The Decision Intelligence Lab Newsletter at ⁠https://decisionintelligencelab.substack.com/⁠. In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab Podcast, hosts Michael Watson and Vijay welcome John Brandon Elam, Decision Systems Leader at Toyota and co-founder of Bit Bros. John shares deep, practical insights on why decision systems in large organizations often become “orphans,” how fragmented ownership across business, IT, and analytics creates risk, and what it takes to build scalable, repeatable decision-making systems. Drawing on experience at Toyota and AT&T (including work on FirstNet for first responders), the conversation explores decision ownership, incentives, change management, technical debt, and why simplicity must be earned. This episode is a must-listen for leaders, product managers, data scientists, and anyone working at the intersection of analytics, technology, and real-world decision-making. Chapters 0:00 - Preview 0:45 - Meet John Brandon Elam 1:55 - What are “orphaned” decision systems? 4:55 - Why decision ownership breaks down in large companies 7:28 - Who should own decision systems? The case for product ownership 10:21 - Preparing cross-functional leaders for analytics-driven decisions 15:20 - Lessons from AT&T’s FirstNet and mission-critical systems 20:05 - Adoption and change management at Toyota: “go and see” 25:01 - Trust, influence, and why being likable matters 27:01 - KISS 2.0: Keep it simple to start 30:02 - Rethinking technical debt 31:32 - Aligning incentives between operations and transformation teams 37:15 - From data to decisions: building a “Decision Factory” 39:29 - Bit Bros, books, and connect with John 40:42 - Closing remarks Follow the show Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠ Connect with guest John Brandon Elam: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbelam/ Connect with hosts Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠ Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠ About the podcast The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠decisionintelligencepodcast@gmail.com⁠

    42 min

  2. JAN 28

    #21 Linda Crowe & Benjamin Baer: Building a Community for Decision Intelligence

    Make better business decisions with data and AI—subscribe to The Decision Intelligence Lab Newsletter at ⁠https://decisionintelligencelab.substack.com/⁠. In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson welcome Linda Crowe and Benjamin Baer from DecideWise, a community focused on data, decision intelligence, and AI. The conversation explores the purpose of DecideWise and the importance of community in bridging gaps between vendors and buyers in the decision intelligence space. They discuss the challenges of implementing decision intelligence, the evolving landscape of vendors, and the significance of audibility and compliance in decision-making processes. The episode concludes with insights on the future of decision intelligence and the value of community engagement. Chapters 0:00 - Preview & Introduction 0:46 - Meet Linda & Benjamin 3:50 - Understanding DecideWise 6:40 - Bridging Gaps in Decision Intelligence 9:49 - The Role of Community in Technology Marketing 15:25 - The Evolution of Decision Intelligence Across Industries 18:15 - Vendor Landscape & Categorization 21:56 - Common Implementation Mistakes 26:00 - Audibility, Traceability, and Risk 33:00 - Lessons Learned from Early Community Engagement 39:00 - Conclusion and Call to Action Follow the show Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠ Connect with the guest Benjamin Baer: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminbaer/ Linda Crowe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/llcrowe/ Connect with hosts Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠ Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠ About the podcast The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠decisionintelligencepodcast@gmail.com⁠

    41 min

  3. JAN 14

    #20 Dr. Vijay & Dr. Mike: Reflections from the First Innings

    Make better business decisions with data and AI—subscribe to The Decision Intelligence Lab Newsletter at https://decisionintelligencelab.substack.com/. In this episode, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson reflect on the first year of the Decision Intelligence podcast, discussing the evolution of the podcast, key themes from their guests, and insights into decision intelligence, data science, and AI. They explore the importance of trust and collaboration in decision-making processes, the role of data in shaping decisions, and the challenges of project management in data science. The conversation also touches on the future of decision intelligence and the impact of generative AI on business practices. Chapters 0:00 Preview Reflecting on the Journey of Decision Intelligence Podcast 3:09 The Birth of the Podcast: A Personal Story 5:52 Exploring Decision Intelligence: Insights from Guests 8:47 The Role of Data in Decision Making 11:58 Project Risks and Failures in Data Science 15:14 Testing and Implementation of Models 17:57 The Value Chain of Decision Intelligence 20:53 Innovations in AI and Decision Making 24:08 Looking Ahead: The Future of Decision Intelligence 27:03 The Importance of Trust in AI 29:57 The Role of Humans in Decision Processes 32:49 The Upcoming Book: Capturing Business Value from Decision Intelligence Follow the show Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠ Connect with hosts Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠ Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠ Mike's blog: https://miketalksai.substack.com/ Resources: Advent of OR - https://adventofor.com About the podcast The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠decisionintelligencepodcast@gmail.com⁠

    38 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    #19 Dr. Lorien Pratt: Decision Intelligence Defined

    In this episode, Dr. Lorien Pratt discusses the concept of Decision Intelligence (DI), its importance in bridging the gap between data and decision-making, and how it evolves from decision engineering. She emphasizes the need for stakeholder alignment, the role of data in decision-making, and the importance of understanding the context of decisions. The conversation also touches on the integration of various technologies and the future of DI in a rapidly changing world. Chapters 0:00 - Preview 0:28 - Meet Dr. Lorien Pratt 1:43 - Defining Decision Intelligence 2:28 - The Gap Between Data and Decision-Making 5:05 - The Evolution from Decision Engineering to Decision Intelligence 9:28 - Integrating Operations Research with Decision Intelligence 14:14 - Pricing optimization, diffuse objectives & cross-silo interactions 16:44 - Two Meanings of “Decision” 18:55 - Incorporating Uncertainty in Decision-Making 20:54 - The Dangers of Over-Engineering Models 25:25 - Lack of a Shared Blueprint & The Need for Alignment 33:20 - Learn about Quantellia 33:55 - The Inflection Point 40:55 - Resources: DIHandbook.com & GettingStartedWithDI.com Follow the show Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠ Connect with the guest Dr. Lorien Pratt: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorienpratt/ Connect with hosts Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠ Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠ About the podcast The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠decisionintelligencepodcast@gmail.com⁠

    42 min

  5. 11/28/2025

    #18 Borja Menéndez and Zohar Strinka: Advent of OR & the Informs Analytics Framework

    In this special holiday episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab Podcast, Vijay welcomes back the show’s first-ever returning guests: Borja Menéndez, creator of Advent of OR, and Zohar Strinka, a lead contributor to the INFORMS Analytics Framework. Together, they explore two major initiatives released in 2024 that aim to reshape how the next generation of operations research (OR) and analytics professionals learn and practice. Together, the guests and host dive deep into why OR is NOT just math, why curiosity is essential, how user engagement changes everything, and how practitioners learn to build systems that actually solve decision problems — not just elegant models. Timestamps 0:00 - Preview & Intro 1:22 - What Is the Advent of OR? 3:45 - Introducing the INFORMS Analytics Framework 6:06 - OR isn't Just Math 10:10 - Skills Developed in the 2025 Advent of OR 12:10 - How Advent of OR Supports CAP Prep 14:21 - Why OR Must Teach Systems & Engineering 16:20 - The Consultant View: Building Real Systems 18:00 - Experiencing & Becoming a User Yourself 22:53 - Curiosity as a Core OR Skill 23:55 - How Borja Designs Advent of OR Challenges 26:00 - How to Learn More About the INFORMS Framework & CAP 27:22 - How to Join Advent of OR 2025 29:00 - Closing Thoughts Follow the show Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠ Resources Mentioned: 1. Advent of OR - Sign-up page for the annual 24-day challenge - https://adventofor.com 2. INFORMS Analytics Framework - https://www.informs.org/Professional-Development/Professional-Development-Classes/INFORMS-Analytics-Framework 3. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) Certification - https://www.certifiedanalytics.org/ 4. Decision Intelligence Lab Podcast (Substack) - https://decisionintelligencelab.substack.com Connect with the guest Borja Menéndez Moreno: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/borjamenendezmoreno/ Zohar Strinka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zohar-strinka/ Connect with hosts Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠ Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠ About the podcast The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠decisionintelligencepodcast@gmail.com⁠

    30 min

  6. 11/26/2025

    #17 Warren Powell & Adam DeJans Jr. : Bridging the Gap Between Theory & Practice

    In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Mike Watson engage with guests Warren Powell, Co-Founder of Optimal Dynamics, and Adam DeJans Jr., Technical Account Manager at Gurobi Optimization, to explore the intricacies of decision-making in uncertain environments. The conversation delves into the importance of sequential decision optimization, the role of uncertainty in supply chain management, and the need for democratizing optimization techniques. The guests share their experiences in bridging the gap between academic theories and practical applications, emphasizing the significance of building trust and understanding in decision-making processes. They also discuss the potential of LLMs in enhancing accessibility to optimization tools, ultimately aiming to empower a broader audience in making informed decisions. Chapters 0:00 - Preview 0:31 - Meet Warren Powell & Adam DeJans Jr. 4:45 - Understanding Sequential Decision Optimization 9:30 - Common Sense in Decision-Making 11:50 - Incorporating Uncertainty in Models 15:45 - The Importance of Trust in Decision-Making 19:18 - Framework for Sequential Decision Analytics 22:44 - Collaboration Between Academia and Industry 24:49 - State Transitions & State Variables 29:40 - Human Decision-Making Challenges 34:40 - Democratizing Optimization & The Role of LLMs Takeaways - Uncertainty must be incorporated into decision-making frameworks. - Formalizing common sense can enhance understanding of complex problems. - The role of state transitions is vital in decision-making processes. - Democratizing optimization can empower non-experts to engage with complex problems. - LLMs can assist in modeling and interpreting optimization problems. - Understanding metrics, decisions, and uncertainties is foundational for effective problem-solving. ------ Follow the show Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠ ----- Connect with guest Warren Powell: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrenbpowell/ Adam DeJans Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/addejans/ Referenced: - On State Variables: https://castle.princeton.edu/statevariables/ - "Sequential Decision Analysis" by Warren Powell (2022) - "Reinforcement Learning and Stochastic Optimization" by Warren Powell - "You Got Your Data Job, Now What?" co-authored by Adam DeJans Jr. ----- Connect with hosts Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠ Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠ ------ About the podcast The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠decisionintelligencepodcast@gmail.com⁠

    46 min

  7. 11/12/2025

    #16 Peyton Fry: Optimizing Healthcare Operations

    How Call Centers Shape Patient Access In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson welcome Peyton Fry, founder of Glass Raven, to discuss the intricacies of healthcare operations, particularly focusing on call centers and patient access. Peyton shares his journey from working in call centers to consulting healthcare systems on optimizing operations. The conversation delves into the importance of metrics, the challenges of forecasting and staffing, and how call centers can significantly impact patient outcomes. Peyton emphasizes the need for clarity in metrics and the importance of building relationships in the healthcare industry for those looking to enter the field. Chapters 0:00 - Preview & Introduction 1:03 - Meet Peyton Fry 5:17 - Understanding Metrics in Call Center Operations 7:40 - Challenges in Forecasting and Staffing 15:04 - Navigating Bureaucracy & Driving Change in Healthcare 21:50 - Connecting Call Centers to Patient Outcomes 26:01 - Advice for Entering the Healthcare Field 30:11 - The Role of Medical Records in Call Center Efficiency 32:45 - Case Study: 40-Minute Hold Time Eliminated 34:49 - Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways Follow the show Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠ Connect with guest Peyton Fry: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peyton-fry-mha-a4356862 Connect with hosts Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠ Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠ About the podcast The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠decisionintelligencepodcast@gmail.com⁠

    37 min

  8. 10/29/2025

    #15 Zohar Strinka: Solving the Meta Problem

    In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, Zohar Strinka discusses the concept of meta-problems in problem solving, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right problem to tackle. She shares real-world examples of how solving the wrong problem can lead to disastrous outcomes and highlights the iterative nature of problem-solving in analytics. Zohar also explores the distinction between problem selection and problem definition, the challenges of consulting, and the significance of focusing on outcomes in analytics. She provides valuable insights for young professionals in the field and discusses her involvement in the Analytics Plus Conference and the Edelman competition. Chapters 0:00 - Preview 0:31 - Meet Zohar Strinka 1:32 - Understanding Meta Problems in Problem Solving 2:31 - The Importance of Problem Selection vs. Problem Definition 3:45 - Navigating Client Expectations in Consulting 5:36 - The Dilemma of Problem Scope in Decision Making 10:41 - Transitioning to Independent Consulting 12:46 - Budgeting for Iterative Problem Solving 14:28 - Iterative Problem Solving and Agile Methodologies 16:57 - The Role of Analytics Professionals in Client Relationships 18:55 - Value of Analytics Plus Conference and Edelman Competition 20:50 - Advice for Young Analytics Professionals Follow the show Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠ Connect with the guest Zohar Strinka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zohar-strinka/ Connect with hosts Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠ Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠ About the podcast The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠decisionintelligencepodcast@gmail.com⁠

    27 min
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The Decision Intelligence Lab explores practical challenges of applying data science, analytics, and AI to drive real-world business outcomes. Hosted by Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University) and Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco) — both seasoned entrepreneurs, consultants, and researchers — this podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, & anyone seeking to leverage data for smarter decision making. Each episode features leaders sharing how smarter decisions are reshaping business and technology. Subscribe to join the conversation.

Information

  • Creator
    The Decision Intelligence Lab
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Decision Intelligence Lab
  • Show Website
    The Decision Intelligence Lab