when spreadsheets aren't enough: making technology really work in the sports world

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Spreadsheets Are Not EnoughMaking Technology Really Work in the Sports World

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● Solution Architect - Speak tech to sales, sales to tech, etc.

● Think about Big Ideas that Solve Problems

● Lifelong, die-hard Red Sox fan

Introductions

Me!

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In-Game Success

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In-Game Success

Players

Strategy

Training

Luck

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In-Game Success

Players

Strategy

Training

Luck

Marketing

Re-Investment

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In-Game Success

Players

Strategy

Training

Luck

$ $ $

Marketing

Re-Investment

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● Team leaders need decision-making tools that don't require a Stats degree to understand.

● Software tools must support and reinforce the goals of scouts, front office leaders, and game personnel.

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● David Ortiz’s 2002 Stats○ 1.3 bWAR in 125 GP○ .272/.339/.500, 120 OPS+○ Steadily rising SLG heading into prime age-27

season

● The Business Side○ $950k salary, due for a sizeable raise in arbitration○ Mientkiewicz at 1B, LeCroy & Morneau coming up○ 2003 squad won AL Central...and lost in ALDS

● Could better tools have helped the Twins make a better decision?

How could the Twins have

known?

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Focus on the Users

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Right Information Right Users

Right Time Right Reason

Experience Strategy

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User Stories

What you need to know

vs.

What you need to do and why

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Example User Stories

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Front Office Leader

“I make decisions about player signings, trades,

and other factors in my team’s long- and

short-term success. I need information and

reports in a digestible, relevant format that

helps me make those decisions.”

Needs: Outputs!

● Reports

● Graphs

● Insights

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Field Scout

“I get a first-hand view of young players, and

provide my club with a long-term view of what

they might become. I need to be able to record

my reports consistently from the road.”

Needs: Input!

● Mobility

● Forms

● Regulated intuitiveness

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Analyst

“I study the game, find inefficiencies in the

market, and help my club leadership make

effective decisions on player acquisitions,

trades, and in-game strategy.”

Needs:

● Data Analysis

● Markup

● Heavy-Duty Stats Packages

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Coach

“If you’re going to add yet another thing for me

to manage in the middle of a game, it had

better be flawless and focused on my

moment-to-moment needs. I have enough on

my plate as it is.”

Needs:

● Ease of Use

● In-Game Media

● Live Diagramming

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Build the Right Software!(with the right partner…)

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Strategy: Plan, Plan, then Plan Some More

UX/Design: Focus on the Users

Technology: Build/Deploy the Right Tools for the Job (not the other way around)

Management: Budgets are Real Things

QA: Test the Heck Out of Your Tools Before They Go Live (Or else)

What makes a good development partner?

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Aggressively rethink what you’re doing...

... but don’t wait too long.

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Thanks!Questions?