An interview with Erin Kiesewetter
Dr. Soroush Saghafian, founder and director of the Public Impact Analysis Science (PIAS) Lab at Harvard University, applies analytical tools to improve decision-making in healthcare, public policy, and other complex systems. In his new book, Insight Driven Problem Solving, Saghafian draws on decades of research and practical experience to create an accessible guide for anyone who wishes to harness analytics science to tackle meaningful challenges.
EK: Who is this book for, and what do you want readers to get out of it?
SS: “Given the growing need to understand and effectively apply analytics across diverse fields, many people can benefit from this book. I wrote it for anyone interested in learning the main ideas of analytics science in simple terms and understanding how they can be used to generate actionable and impactful insights. This includes entrepreneurs, practitioners in both the private and public sectors, students, and, more broadly, any curious mind.”
Analytics, Saghafian explains, is no longer the exclusive domain of data scientists. It’s becoming a universal language of problem-solving and an essential skill for success in the information economy. “While the focus of the book is on the large-scale, public, and complex problem-solving impact of analytics science, readers will also find that learning the foundational ideas discussed can contribute to their personal growth. Analytics science is an essential part of the information economy we live in.”
Saghafian argues that learning how to interpret, question, and act on data-driven insights is indispensable. “Individuals who understand and can apply the principles of analytics science to execute insight-driven problem solving become highly attractive to leading employers across both public and private sectors,” he notes. “They may even choose to become entrepreneurs and start their own ventures. If you doubt this, look closely at the most successful entrepreneurs, and you will see that their core idea has always been about solving a meaningful problem.”
For Saghafian, the ultimate audience is united by curiosity. “As I say in the book,” he adds, “if someone is eager to make a positive impact on the world and curious about the range of possibilities that analytics science offers, this book is for them.”
EK: You work at the intersection of academia and real-world impact. What was your process like translating technical research into stories and advice that a broad audience could connect to?
SS: “One of my goals has been to bridge the gap between technical detail and meaningful impact. I wrote this book to help readers not only harness the superpower that analytics science offers, but also ask the right questions, interpret results wisely, and drive better decisions in both public and private organizations.”
Throughout the book, readers are introduced to individuals and organizations that have turned analytical insights into purposeful change—from improving healthcare systems to designing more equitable public policies. “The individuals featured throughout this book exemplify how mastering these principles can lead to discoveries that leave a lasting mark on the world,” Saghafian says.
EK: What is one common misconception about analytics or data-driven problem solving that you hope your book will clear up for readers?
SS: “Various common misconceptions are discussed and clarified in the book. Some sections illustrate how easy it is to make mistakes when working with data. Even the role of data in analytics is frequently misunderstood.”
“One of the most striking ideas in the book is that data is not sufficient or necessary for analytics to develop impact. As I discuss in the book, data availability is neither sufficient nor necessary for analytics science to solve problems and create impact,” he explains. “There are many cases in which analytics scientists have addressed public challenges and generated meaningful results without relying on data. Data analysis is only one of the many branches of analytics science, and equating this vast and powerful field with data science is a serious mistake.”
EK: Looking ahead, what are some of the most exciting or urgent challenges you think analytics science could help solve next?
SS: “We are confronting a range of deeply complex and high-stakes challenges, from inefficiencies in healthcare and environmental degradation to inequities in public services and the profound risks and opportunities posed by AI itself. Analytics science offers a framework for bringing clarity to such complexity.”
“In healthcare, it can help reduce wait times, allocate resources more efficiently, and personalize care,” Saghafian explains. “In public policy, it can guide smarter, evidence-based interventions that save both money and lives. These challenges are not merely technical, they are fundamentally human. When applied responsibly, analytics empowers us to uncover insights that drive real, systemic transformation.”
EK: After someone finishes your book, what is one mindset shift or practical habit you hope they will adopt in their own problem solving, and what is one action you would encourage them to take?
SS: “My aspiration is that readers finish this book not only with a stronger grasp of analytics and problem-solving frameworks, but also with a mindset that integrates analytical rigor with human-centered purpose. The most valuable insights are those that improve lives and strengthen systems that serve the public good.”
“The book ends with a call to action, encouraging every reader to reflect on how the ideas discussed might be used to create positive change, whether in their organizations, communities, or everyday decisions. Analytics science, at its best, is a powerful tool for significantly improving the human condition. If this book inspires even a few readers to apply its lessons toward that goal, it will have achieved its purpose.”
Throughout Insight Driven Problem Solving, Soroush Saghafian offers a human-centered perspective on analytics. His book reminds us that behind every dataset lies a person, a decision, and a possibility for positive impact. For anyone looking to understand how data and reasoning can be woven together to make the world a better place, Saghafian’s insights provide a thoughtful roadmap of possibility.