About 

DATAGROTTO is a website devoted to advanced data analysis, data visualization, and use of data for real-time decision making. Dr. Ron Schack, who has over 25 years of experience in these areas, created Data Grotto to help people interested in data by sharing important data principles, advanced analytic techniques, and real-life examples.

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Inside the

DataGrotto

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The following video is from a Performance Management And Accountability class Ron teaches.  In this video, Ron talks about some important considerations when creating a performance management system for an organization.  There are a few references to material discussed in other classes, but the material presented is easily understood in this stand-alone video.  Check out some more video content on the instruction page.

About Ron Schack, Ph.D., founder of Data Grotto

Dr. Schack is Managing partner with The Charter Oak Group, LLC, a well-regarded publicnpolicy and performance management consulting firm. Ron holds a doctoral degree in political science from the University of Connecticut, where he also received a master’s degree in public affairs and studied philosophy as an undergraduate.

Dr. Schack’s areas of expertise include:

  • Developing performance management systems

  • Developing performance measures, reports, and data visualizations

  • Advanced statistical analysis, predictive modeling, structural equation modeling (SEM)

  • Developing Results-Based Accountability models, reports and processes

  • Facilitating decision-support processes, including decision conferencing and applied multi-attribute utility (MAU) modeling § Conducting program evaluations

  • Quantitative and qualitative research and analysis

  • Facilitating and developing strategic and operational plans

  • Expertise in public budgeting, revenue forecasting, and resource allocation models

  • Subject matter expertise in workforce development, criminal justice policy, education, early childhood programming, environmental policy, and homeland security policy 

Some of Ron’s recent projects include:

  • Performance Measurement and Evaluation of CT Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN)

  • Performance Measurement and Evaluation of The Justice Education Center’s Career Pathways Program

  • Development of a Data-Integration Approach for the Hartford Opportunity Youth Collaborative (HOYC), working with the Hartford Data Collaborative

  • Evaluation of the Hartford Student Internship Program

  • “Supply” Studies for Targeted Occupations in Healthcare and Manufacturing for the Capital Area Pipeline Partnership

  • Social Network Analysis for CT Project Longevity

  • Development of a statistical adjustment model for the US Department of Labor’s Older Worker Program

Over a 10-year period, Dr. Schack provided performance measurement technical assistance to the CT General Assembly Appropriations Committee. Ron developed an RBA Implementation Plan for the CT Juvenile Justice Policy Oversight Committee, as well as a set of population indicators for the juvenile justice system. Working with the Justice Education Center, Inc., Ron has staffed the Eyewitness Identification Taskforce since 2011, and recently completed an analysis of the eyewitness procedures conducted since 2014. Ron also enjoys teaching. He currently teaches Applied Quantitative Methods and Performance Management and Accountability for the UCONN Department of Public Policy. When he is not consulting, Ron likes to compose and record music (he plays 12 string bass), study medieval long sword, and read cosmology, philosophy, and classic fantasy literature. He lives with his wife, Lisa in Manchester, CT.

Click here to find about more about Dr. Schack!