English

Seven Principles for Rapid-Response Data Science: Lessons Learned from Covid-19 Forecasting

Applications 2022-03-31 v2

Abstract

In this article, we take a step back to distill seven principles out of our experience in the spring of 2020, when our 12-person rapid-response team used skills of data science and beyond to help distribute Covid PPE. This process included tapping into domain knowledge of epidemiology and medical logistics chains, curating a relevant data repository, developing models for short-term county-level death forecasting in the US, and building a website for sharing visualization (an automated AI machine). The principles are described in the context of working with Response4Life, a then-new nonprofit organization, to illustrate their necessity. Many of these principles overlap with those in standard data-science teams, but an emphasis is put on dealing with problems that require rapid response, often resembling agile software development.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2108.08445,
  title  = {Seven Principles for Rapid-Response Data Science: Lessons Learned from Covid-19 Forecasting},
  author = {Bin Yu and Chandan Singh},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2108.08445},
  year   = {2022}
}

Comments

4 pages, accepted in special issue of "Statistical Science" on COVID-19 Response

R2 v1 2026-06-24T05:14:20.056Z