Data Analytics: Using data to enhance acquisition outcomes
Mission
The Data Analytics division of API serves as the functional lead for establishing an Analytic Framework to support "Data Driven Decisions" within ASD(A). The division gathers strategic questions from the organization, integrates acquisition data from disparate DoD and Federal data stores, and conducts appropriate analytics to answer those questions. This informs acquisition strategic decision making and policy changes in OUSD (A&S) and the DoD at large, at the speed of relevance, improving acquisition outcomes. The Data Analytics Division also conducts analyses to help the Department inform the public and other parts of the U.S. Government, including the Legislative Branch, on the performance of the defense acquisition system.
Capabilities
Through our experienced team of data analysts and data scientists, we provide expertise in analytics, data visualization, machine learning, natural language processing, and artificial intelligence. We partner with functional owners and subject matter experts across A&S to develop analytic products and interactive dashboards that improve analysts understanding of complex data and enable better acquisition decision-making.
Research & Reports
Working Collaboratively
Acquisition Analytic Forum
This forum creates a culture that collectively shares industry analytics best practices to improve analytics and data literacy within the acquisition workforce. It brings together OUSD(A&S) and service component representatives to discuss analytics and ensure that the correct metrics are created and used to answer the strategic questions that informs the Analytics Framework and ultimately improve outcomes.
Training Opportunities
ADVANA
Advana*, DoD’s big data platform for advanced analytics, has numerous free training materials* and third party training resources for its various tools, as well as webinars and office hours*. Please reach out to the Advana Help Desk* and initiate a Help Desk Ticket to inquire about or request a training.
Advana Access Request Guide
Databricks Training
Databricks Academy
*DoD network access only
DAU Coursera 
DAU is teaming up with the world’s largest provider of massive online open courses to extend the reach of its DoD workforce training with online DoD-Coursera programs. Relevant courses include Data Science, covering Programming in R, Practical Machine Learning, Statistical Inference, and more.
What We Do
Data Mining
Data Mining uses the Analytic Framework to search through copious amounts of computerized data to find insightful patterns or trends.
Machine Learning
Machine Learning uses statistical models and algorithms to give computers the ability to do new tasks based on patterns and inference, without being explicitly programmed. This diagram shows a small sample of the applications in which machine learning is currently being used.
Tree-Based Modeling
Decision trees can be used to aid the description, categorization and generalization of a set of data, such as shown on the right with our model of total and procurement costs.
Machine Learning Visualizations
Machine Learning algorithms can be used to analyze a variety of data, including schedule and cost growth.
Natural Language Processing & Text Mining
In machine learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP) is the computer’s ability to understand and analyze human language. Text mining is useful in analyzing patterns and unexpected trends by measuring the frequency of words, which can indicate topics of concern or importance like the diagram on the right.
Topological Data Analysis
“Data has Shape, Shape has Meaning, Meaning drives Value.” -Gunnar Carlsson
Topological Data analysis studies the underlying shape of data by bringing together mathematics with computer science. It uses algorithms and concepts from algebraic topology to extract insights from complex multi-dimensional data structures.
Get Started with DATA
