Why Would a Data Science Department Engage an Outside Firm?

Many organizations have invested in building internal data science teams.  These teams turn data into actionable insights, drive business growth, and help their companies stay competitive.  However, even the most capable internal teams can benefit significantly from engaging with an outside data science firm.

To understand why, consider how corporate law departments operate.  While they handle many legal matters internally, they frequently engage outside counsel for specialized expertise or to increase their capacity to handle a larger caseload.  Data science departments can benefit from a similar approach.

Here are some of the ways:

Increasing Capacity and Speed

Hiring additional data scientists internally can be a lengthy process, often taking several months to find the right fit.  Meanwhile, the demand for data-driven insights does not pause.  Engaging an outside firm allows you to scale up quickly, augmenting your internal team’s capacity to meet tight deadlines and tackle large projects.  This approach also prevents your internal team from becoming overwhelmed, reducing the risk of burnout and turnover.  For a perspective on the hiring and care of data scientists, check out this prior blog post.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

One of the biggest advantages of working with an outside data science firm is their ability to steer clear of common pitfalls.  With their experience from previous projects, they know which paths are likely to be dead ends and can help your team avoid wasting time and resources.  They bring best practices and proven methodologies to the table, ensuring that your data science initiatives are on the right track from the start.

Enhancing Learning and Development

Working with an outside firm is not just about outsourcing tasks; it is also an opportunity for your internal team to learn and grow. Through collaboration, your data scientists can gain new skills, learn advanced techniques, and see firsthand how experienced professionals approach complex problems.  This knowledge transfer contributes to the long-term development of your team.

Conclusion

Engaging an outside data science firm doesn’t diminish the value of your internal team—it enhances it. By bringing in specialized expertise, increasing capacity, avoiding common pitfalls, and fostering learning, an outside firm can significantly boost the productivity and impact of your data science department.  Just as corporate law departments strategically use outside counsel, your data science team can benefit from the support of external experts.

Disclosure: nearly all of this post was written by an AI, with human prompting end editing.  Check out our generative AI disclaimer.