Data—whether it's sales, stock prices, or test scores—helps organizations measure their performance, but it's analytics that helps them identify patterns and make better, more comprehensive decisions. In this interview, awarding-winning mathematics professor Wayne Winston sits down with us to explain why analytics are important, and offer guidance for those trying to break into the field as an analytics professional. He also explains how analytics can provide insights into supply chains, marketing, and financial data, and help cities, school systems, and hospitals better meet the needs of the public.