The Data Analytics Zoo
A Guide to Understanding the Different Processes and Their Functions
3 min readDec 26, 2022
It’s possible to think about the different processes involved in data analytics as animals, with each process representing a specific characteristic or trait.
Here is a list of possible animals that could represent each of the 20 data analytics processes:
- Data collection: A bee, because it involves gathering data from various sources.
- Data cleaning: A penguin, because it involves identifying and correcting errors and making sure everything is in order.
- Data integration: A chameleon, because it involves combining data from multiple sources and adapting to different environments.
- Data visualization: A peacock, because it involves presenting the data in a colorful and visually appealing way.
- Data modeling: A fox, because it involves using intelligence and cunning to identify patterns and trends in the data.
- Data interpretation: An owl, because it involves using wisdom and insight to draw conclusions and make informed decisions based on the data.
- Data reporting: A parrot, because it involves presenting the results of an analysis to stakeholders or repeating the key points of the data to a wider audience.
- Data storage: A squirrel, because it involves organizing and storing data in a way that allows for easy access and retrieval.
- Data security: A guard dog, because it involves protecting data from unauthorized access or tampering.
- Data warehousing: A beaver, because it involves building a central repository for data that can be used for analysis.
- Data mining: A mole, because it involves digging deep into the data to uncover hidden patterns and insights.
- Data transformation: A caterpillar, because it involves changing and adapting the data as it moves through different stages of the analysis process.
- Data quality assessment: A hawk, because it involves carefully examining the data to identify any errors or issues, much like a hawk uses its keen vision to spot prey from a distance.
- Data governance: A lion, because it involves establishing rules and policies for managing and protecting the data.
- Data wrangling: A monkey, because it involves manipulating and shaping the data in order to make it easier to work with.
- Data harmonization: A flamingo, because it involves aligning data from different sources and creating a common format, much like flamingos are known for standing on one leg and balancing their bodies in a graceful and harmonious manner.
- Data blending: A spider, because it involves weaving together data from multiple sources to create a more comprehensive and interconnected dataset, much like a spider weaves together different strands of silk to create a web.
- Data analysis: An elephant, because it involves using memory and attention to detail to analyze the data and draw conclusions, much like an elephant is known for its excellent memory and ability to remember and recognize different patterns.
- Data exploration: A snake, because it involves using curiosity and flexibility to explore and learn from the data, much like a snake is known for its ability to adapt and explore new environments.
- Data security assessment: A turtle, because it involves protecting data from unauthorized access or tampering, much like a turtle uses its hard shell to protect itself from harm.