This CBR issue is motivated by the following trend: the ability to access and analyze data as it's created in real (or near real) time. This issue's articles work particularly well together. Federico and Elisabetta help draw our attention to the higher-level question of value creation; a question every organization must tackle. After all, real-time data analytics is difficult and expensive and organizations need to know that they will earn a return on their investment. Zubin then grounds us with some excellent advice and insight around implementing and managing real-time data analytics. Regardless of where you are along the real-time data analytics path, I trust both the survey data and articles in this issue will serve you well.