The Art of Hovering : Lessons from the Kestrel for Data Analytics
Have you ever wondered why some birds glide effortlessly through the sky and others seem to hover motionless, as though they were weightlessly floating in outer space? Take a look at the kestrel, a rather small but hearty raptor belonging to the Falconidae family, a bird that has perfected a method known as “hovering flight.” With a wingspan of about 75 centimeters and a tail that fans out to act as an aerodynamic rudder, this bird shows the marvel of intelligent design. Skillfully manipulating of its tail feathers and rapidly flapping its wings, the kestrel remains suspended in mid-air, its speed countering the wind’s flow. This enables it to scan the ground below for unerring accuracy, identifying prey at a distance without expending energy in keeping itself moving. Where there is no wind upon which to hover, the kestrel compensates using more sophisticated wing movements to counteract gravity’s pull; a process, though energy-intensive, by which it survives.
This seemingly effortless hovering is, in reality, a complex and deliberate movement that requires the bird to remain still while making slight adjustments to its position. Hovering allows the bird to expand its field of vision, pinpoint its prey accurately, and strike with precision, but it consumes a significant amount of energy. The kestrel must weigh the benefits of remaining in the air against the physical strain it incurs. It’s a matter of balancing; one that’s as much planning as execution.
Now, what does this have to do with data analytics? Surprisingly, quite a bit.
Hovering in the World of Data
As the kestrel seems to float suspended in the air, businesses today float in an arena where staying stuck is not an option. The virtual world churns with data; terabytes upon terabytes of data, generated per second. The challenge is not collecting this data; it’s hovering over it well, examining it from the proper perspective, and making smart decisions based on it. In analytics, much like in nature, the power to swoop in, look, and land with precision is what determines success and failure.
Consider your company or organization like a kestrel in flight. The data you collect, such as customer feedback, sales trends, marketing metrics, and operations performance, represents the wide landscape down below. You can’t spend time chasing after every shiny object or trend that piques your interest. Instead, you need to hover strategically, lock onto the right data points, then draw insights that will let you thrive in a competitive landscape. As with the kestrel, you can accomplish this with the right tools, technique, and, yes, with vigor.
However, a key distinction exists between the kestrel’s hovering flight and the way most companies handle analytics. The kestrel’s behavior in flight is intentional, accurate, and effective. By contrast, businesses often find themselves confused, flapping their metaphorical “wings” chaotically in various directions, trying to make sense of a jumble of the unstructured data with which they’re surrounded. It is here that principles of hovering (namely, stability, focus, and responsiveness) are so valuable.
The Human Quest to Hover: A Mechanical Breakthrough
Humans, too, have been fascinated by the concept of hovering. While nature perfected the art through creatures like the kestrel, we’ve spent decades trying to replicate it mechanically. Enter the modern marvel of engineering: the tiltrotor aircraft. One of the most prominent examples is the V-22 Osprey, a hybrid aircraft that combines the vertical lift capabilities of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing airplane. The Osprey transitions from vertical takeoff and hovering to high-speed forward flight by simply tilting its rotors, making it arguably the most versatile aircraft ever built.
The Osprey’s ability to hover is both a technological spectacle and a game-saver for combat missions, search-and-rescue operations, and humanitarian aid. Take, for example, disaster areas where runways aren’t possible. The Osprey can drop supplies and personnel in the area they’re needed by means of hovering. However, as with the kestrel, there’s a cost. Hovering consumes more fuel and works the aircraft’s systems harder, requiring careful planning and operation.
And so, what do we learn from both the kestrel and the Osprey? The key lies in understanding the trade-offs. Whether you are a bird, a machine, or a leader, hovering involves finding the right balance between effort and reward. It’s all about recognizing when to stay put, when to move forward, and how to respond to your surroundings.
Analytics as the Art of Hovering
In analytics, hovering is more of a mindset than a metaphor. In much the same way that the kestrel and the Osprey use hovering to get a strategic advantage, so also businesses need to learn to hover and focus their analytical resources on what matters most. This requires three critical principles: stability, focus, and adaptability.
1. Stability: You need to establish a stable foundation before you can effectively process data. This includes investing in the right infrastructure, from cloud ecosystems to data stores, so that your analytics work is established on solid ground. It also means establishing objectives and KPIs, so that you can identify success before you take flight.
2. Focus: Not all data are created equal. As the kestrel narrows its focus to spot prey, your business has to identify what metrics and what insights are most relevant to your objectives. That may involve dividing customers by behavior, observing trends in supply chain limitations, or tracking ROI of promotions. Targeted analytics is good analytics.
3. Adaptability: The digital environment is constantly changing, and inflexible analytical approaches are inadequate. Companies need to be able to adjust, whether that means integrating new data sources, adopting cutting-edge technologies such as AI and machine learning, or shifting strategies in reaction to evolving market conditions. Flexibility is essential for successfully maneuvering through the changing landscape.
Bringing It All Together
As we’ve taken a look at the kestrel’s graceful flight, the impressive mechanics of the Osprey, and the sophisticated dance of data analysis, one truth stands out: achieving success demands both strategy and execution. Whether stalking prey, delivering relief, or looking at market trends, the principles remain constant. You need to sit back to see, observe, and implement with precision.
But consider this: hovering embodies a lifestyle rather than merely a technique. It involves recognizing that sometimes the most effective path is to pause, recalibrate, and concentrate on what is genuinely important. In an era where the pressure to accelerate and accomplish more is ever-present, the skill of hovering teaches us to decelerate, engage in critical thinking, and reflect thoughtfully.
Therefore, when confronted with an overwhelming amount of data or a significant business dilemma, tap into your inner kestrel. Take a moment to hover. Use the tools at your disposal to stabilize, focus, and adapt. And keep in mind that the secret to success in both analytics and in life lies in understanding both when to keep moving and when to stay still.
Conclusion: Hovering Into the Future
Let’s go back to the kestrel for just a moment: suspended in mid-air, its wings flapping furiously as it counterbalances the wind. Apart from being a marvel of nature, this phenomenon serves a metaphor for the challenges and opportunities we encounter in our modern world. Whether we are interpreting data, engineering aircraft, or simply working our way through the complexities of life, the ability to hover (both literally and metaphorically) equips us to appreciate the broader perspective.
We, like the kestrel, should hover with purpose, accuracy, and intention. Hovering in the realm of data analysis isn’t an indication of indecision; it’s an indication of greatness. It’s about pausing to see, examine, and act with accuracy. It’s about finding the equilibrium between exertion and reward, energy and aftermath.
So, as you begin to your next analytical task, remember the kestrel, the Osprey, and the hovering. Invite the stillness, find your focus, and strike. For with a world in which data is the new terrain, being capable of hovering can be the best competitive advantage.
“Bringing Data to Life and Life to Data”
About the Author:
Dr. Joe Perez,
Team Lead / Senior Systems Specialist,
NC Department of Health and Human Services
Dr. Joe Perez ( Dr.Joe ) is also the Chief Technology Officer – CogniMind
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Dr. Joe Perez is a truly exceptional professional who has left an indelible mark on the IT, health and human services, and higher education sectors. His journey began in the field of education, where he laid the foundation for his career. With advanced degrees in education and a doctorate that included a double minor in computers and theology, Joe embarked on a path that ultimately led him to the dynamic world of data-driven Information Technology.
In the early 1990s, he transitioned into IT, starting as a Computer Consultant at NC State University. Over the years, his dedication and expertise led to a series of well-deserved promotions, culminating in his role as Business Intelligence Specialist that capped his 25 successful years at NC State. Not one to rest on his laurels, Dr. Perez embarked on a new challenge in the fall of 2017, when he was recruited to take on the role of Senior Business Analyst at the NC Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). His impressive journey continued with promotions to Senior Systems Analyst and Team Leader, showcasing his versatility and leadership capabilities.
In addition to his full-time responsibilities at DHHS, Joe assumed the role of fractional Chief Technology Officer at a North Carolina corporation in October 2020. A top-ranked published author with over 18,000 followers on LinkedIn and numerous professional certifications, he is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, a recognized expert in data analytics and visualization, and a specialist in efficiency and process improvement.
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