This section will outline the business problem that we intend to solve and help you decide on the algorithm that would be used to get us the required predictions. We will discuss the data mining algorithms available from the Microsoft suite and their usage.
The discussion of data mining standards is important because it forms the basic framework for the data mining process in many organizations. The survey conducted by KDnuggets at http://www.kdnuggets.com/polls/2007/data_mining_methodology.htm clearly shows Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) as the winner.
The following diagram shows an outline of the CRISP-DM methodology:
The first stage, as shown in the preceding figure, is the Business Understanding phase, which has the prime objective of understanding the end objective from a business perspective. How will these results transform into business results? This phase is one of the important phases...