Mums Making Science and Tech Look Easy - The Data Analyst

PHOTO and GRAPHIC: Tang Ying Hui

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Constance Loo, Senior Manager, Data Analytics Unit, Gaming Technology Division in Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), and her colleagues were inundated with requests from multiple government agencies for casino visitorship statistics. Each needed daily updates in different formats. Managing those simultaneous requests in a timely manner while maintaining data accuracy “was the most challenging period [of my time in GRA],” she recalled. This was one of many moments where her work in data analytics proved crucial in GRA.

Keeping up with Technologies for Analytics

Working with different stakeholders, Constance ensures that the requestor and her team are clear about what is required. PHOTO: Tang Ying Hui

Constance has been part of the data analytics team since it was formed in 2018 under the then-Casino Regulatory Authority. Her team extracts, cleans and transforms data related to the entities GRA regulates. The resultant statistics are used to support policy formulation and reviews by GRA and other government agencies.

To make sense of the data, Constance uses a range of tools. She creates dashboards using Qlik Sense to filter and analyse information. With a few deft clicks, she can efficiently present data in different forms to GRA’s senior management, such as the number of casino visitors by day, month or casino. She uses both enhanced machine learning models and the newer AI models for predictive analytics. She said, “We explored both enhanced and new models in our work, and built predictive models, to detect persons who may be at higher risk of problem gambling.”

Qlik Sense is used to visualise data easily. PHOTO: Melody Ho

Adapting to new technologies, like the AI models, requires a bit of time. But Constance takes it in stride. “It is always difficult at the beginning when I start using them. That is also when we are prone to making mistakes. But as we identify the mistakes, we get to learn more about the technology.” With the continued advancement of technology like enhanced automation and analysis tools, she looks forward to focusing on improving data accuracy and deriving meaningful insights, while reducing the time on manually processing large volumes of data. Constance also strives to empower her colleagues by making the data analysis tools accessible and easy to use to aid their policy and operational decision making.

Multitasking As a Mum

Constance (left) cherishes every moment with her family. PHOTO: Constance Loo

Asked if her son knows what Constance does at work, she laughed, “I don’t think he understands what I do. Sometimes, he will sit in front of my laptop and say ‘Mama, I’m working on the laptop!’”

Constance is thankful to have the support of her supervisors and teammates when she needs to tend to her four-year-old. “Young kids fall sick often and take time to recover. My team would cover for me when I need apply leave to care for my son.”

Handling multiple requests of different priorities at work has helped her learn to stay calm and prioritise when managing the demands of work and family. “I might be in the middle of a task when my son urgently calls out to me to fix a toy. If it only takes a short while, I will try to give him that moment first.”

Security Through a Mother’s Eyes

Balancing her protective roles as a mother and safeguarding the people in Singapore from the harms of gambling, Constance (left) brings a deeper understanding of security to both worlds. PHOTO: Tang Ying Hui

Becoming a mother has changed Constance’s perspective on safety and security. While she used to focus on physical safety and broader aspects like national security, crime and societal stability, she realised emotional safety and security are just as important. “It is not just about protecting my child from physical harm but also creating a space where he feels secure to express himself.”

As a mother of a young child, what is Constance’s advice for other Home Team officers who are soon-to-be mothers? “Kids grow up so fast. The tough moments can feel endless, but they pass quicker than expected,” she said. “Enjoy the little happy moments as well, they pass just as quickly too.