Real Analytics 101
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Preface — Why the Promise Fell Short
Computers were sold as effortless clarity. In practice, they shifted where human judgement happens. This book traces five eras to show what was gained, what was lost, and what still depends on people.
Purpose of this Book
The goal is practical understanding. We look at tools as they were used in the wild — from manual ledgers to AI — and ask a simple question: did accountability improve?
Thesis
Technology rarely eliminates work; it rearranges it. Accounting’s core value — truth you can rely on — remains human. Systems amplify discipline or magnify chaos depending on incentives and data hygiene.
How to Read
- Section 1: The human craft of balancing by hand.
- Section 2: PCs, speed, and the birth of dirty data.
- Section 3: ERP promises vs. budget/time/scope reality.
- Section 4: Data science moves from reports to decisions.
- Section 5: AI’s value and the question of agency.
Author’s Note: This project invites reader examples. If you have a story from any era, email promotions@realanalytics101.co.za — selected stories will be credited.
What You’ll Get
- Clear, non-jargon explanations you can share with teams and clients.
- Real checklists and prompts to improve data hygiene and decisions.
- Sidebars called Tales from the Trenches — short, true stories.
Tales from the Trenches (Placeholder)
Add a 3–6 sentence anecdote here about a moment when a computerised process obscured, rather than clarified, the truth — and how you caught it.