Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for The Decision Intelligence Lab
BusinessEntrepreneurship

The Decision Intelligence Lab

The Decision Intelligence Lab

The Decision Intelligence Lab explores practical challenges of applying data science, analytics, and AI to drive real-world business outcomes.

Hosted by Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University) and Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco) — both seasoned entrepreneurs, consultants, and researchers — this podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, & anyone seeking to leverage data for smarter decision making. Each episode features leaders sharing how smarter decisions are reshaping business and technology. Subscribe to join the conversation.

Play
Open in
  • 23 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 39 min
  • English

Episodes 23

NewestOldestLongest
All3Unplayed3In progress0Played0
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • #18
    Nov 28, 2025 · 30 min

    #18 Borja Menéndez and Zohar Strinka: Advent of OR & the Informs Analytics Framework

    In this special holiday episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab Podcast, Vijay welcomes back the show’s first-ever returning guests: Borja Menéndez, creator of Advent of OR, and Zohar Strinka, a lead contributor to the INFORMS Analytics Framework. Together, they explore two major initiatives released in 2024 that aim to reshape how the next generation of operations research (OR) and analytics professionals learn and practice. Together, the guests and host dive deep into why OR is NOT just math, why curiosity is essential, how user engagement changes everything, and how practitioners learn to build systems that actually solve decision problems — not just elegant models. Timestamps 0:00 - Preview & Intro 1:22 - What Is the Advent of OR? 3:45 - Introducing the INFORMS Analytics Framework 6:06 - OR isn't Just Math 10:10 - Skills Developed in the 2025 Advent of OR 12:10 - How Advent of OR Supports CAP Prep 14:21 - Why OR Must Teach Systems & Engineering 16:20 - The Consultant View: Building Real Systems 18:00 - Experiencing & Becoming a User Yourself 22:53 - Curiosity as a Core OR Skill 23:55 - How Borja Designs Advent of OR Challenges 26:00 - How to Learn More About the INFORMS Framework & CAP 27:22 - How to Join Advent of OR 2025 29:00 - Closing Thoughts Follow the show Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠ Resources Mentioned: 1. Advent of OR - Sign-up page for the annual 24-day challenge - https://adventofor.com 2. INFORMS Analytics Framework - https://www.informs.org/Professional-Development/Professional-Development-Classes/INFORMS-Analytics-Framework 3. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) Certification - https://www.certifiedanalytics.org/ 4. Decision Intelligence Lab Podcast (Substack) - https://decisionintelligencelab.substack.com Connect with the guest Borja Menéndez Moreno: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/borjamenendezmoreno/ Zohar Strinka: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zohar-strinka/ Connect with hosts Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠ Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠ About the podcast The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠decisionintelligencepodcast@gmail.com⁠

  • #17
    Nov 26, 2025 · 45 min

    #17 Warren Powell & Adam DeJans Jr. : Bridging the Gap Between Theory & Practice

    In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Mike Watson engage with guests Warren Powell, Co-Founder of Optimal Dynamics, and Adam DeJans Jr., Technical Account Manager at Gurobi Optimization, to explore the intricacies of decision-making in uncertain environments. The conversation delves into the importance of sequential decision optimization, the role of uncertainty in supply chain management, and the need for democratizing optimization techniques. The guests share their experiences in bridging the gap between academic theories and practical applications, emphasizing the significance of building trust and understanding in decision-making processes. They also discuss the potential of LLMs in enhancing accessibility to optimization tools, ultimately aiming to empower a broader audience in making informed decisions. Chapters 0:00 - Preview 0:31 - Meet Warren Powell & Adam DeJans Jr. 4:45 - Understanding Sequential Decision Optimization 9:30 - Common Sense in Decision-Making 11:50 - Incorporating Uncertainty in Models 15:45 - The Importance of Trust in Decision-Making 19:18 - Framework for Sequential Decision Analytics 22:44 - Collaboration Between Academia and Industry 24:49 - State Transitions & State Variables 29:40 - Human Decision-Making Challenges 34:40 - Democratizing Optimization & The Role of LLMs Takeaways - Uncertainty must be incorporated into decision-making frameworks. - Formalizing common sense can enhance understanding of complex problems. - The role of state transitions is vital in decision-making processes. - Democratizing optimization can empower non-experts to engage with complex problems. - LLMs can assist in modeling and interpreting optimization problems. - Understanding metrics, decisions, and uncertainties is foundational for effective problem-solving. ------ Follow the show Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠ ----- Connect with guest Warren Powell: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrenbpowell/ Adam DeJans Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/addejans/ Referenced: - On State Variables: https://castle.princeton.edu/statevariables/ - "Sequential Decision Analysis" by Warren Powell (2022) - "Reinforcement Learning and Stochastic Optimization" by Warren Powell - "You Got Your Data Job, Now What?" co-authored by Adam DeJans Jr. ----- Connect with hosts Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠ Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠ ------ About the podcast The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠decisionintelligencepodcast@gmail.com⁠

  • #16
    Nov 12, 2025 · 37 min

    #16 Peyton Fry: Optimizing Healthcare Operations

    How Call Centers Shape Patient Access In this episode of the Decision Intelligence Lab podcast, hosts Vijay Mehrotra and Michael Watson welcome Peyton Fry, founder of Glass Raven, to discuss the intricacies of healthcare operations, particularly focusing on call centers and patient access. Peyton shares his journey from working in call centers to consulting healthcare systems on optimizing operations. The conversation delves into the importance of metrics, the challenges of forecasting and staffing, and how call centers can significantly impact patient outcomes. Peyton emphasizes the need for clarity in metrics and the importance of building relationships in the healthcare industry for those looking to enter the field. Chapters 0:00 - Preview & Introduction 1:03 - Meet Peyton Fry 5:17 - Understanding Metrics in Call Center Operations 7:40 - Challenges in Forecasting and Staffing 15:04 - Navigating Bureaucracy & Driving Change in Healthcare 21:50 - Connecting Call Centers to Patient Outcomes 26:01 - Advice for Entering the Healthcare Field 30:11 - The Role of Medical Records in Call Center Efficiency 32:45 - Case Study: 40-Minute Hold Time Eliminated 34:49 - Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways Follow the show Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-decision-intelligence-lab/id1811085064⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0lFoAVKqJHTYSZNpeN61ou?si=0ae973aab0174b3b⁠ Connect with guest Peyton Fry: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/peyton-fry-mha-a4356862 Connect with hosts Prof. Vijay Mehrotra (University of San Francisco): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijay-mehrotra-ba9498/⁠ Prof. Michael Watson (Northwestern University): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-watson-07600a1⁠ About the podcast The Decision Intelligence Lab podcast delivers real-world insights for data professionals, business leaders, and anyone seeking to leverage data & AI for smarter decision-making & successful business outcomes. For business inquiries, email at ⁠decisionintelligencepodcast@gmail.com⁠

Showing 21–23 of 23 episodes