David Bartenwerfer brings more than three decades of experience, having made a substantial impact at top organizations like The Boston Consulting Group, Charles Schwab, Verizon, Genesys Technologies, Yahoo!, eBay, Webvan Group, and the US Department of Defense.
His extensive expertise across strategy, technology, product management, and operations has played a crucial role in guiding these organizations toward success and shaping their growth.
Bartenwerfer’s strong academic foundation includes an MBA from Stanford University and a BS in Systems Engineering with high distinction from the University of Virginia, where he also minored in applied mathematics and economics.
This comprehensive educational background has been a key driver in his professional success.
Right after college, David Bartenwerfer joined a defense contractor, where he earned Top Secret clearance and developed analytical tools for building defense systems, assessing cost/benefit risks for major IT initiatives, and supporting joint operations across military branches.
Working primarily within the Defense sector, Bartenwerfer managed operations for projects valued at $70 million, overseeing budgets, forecasts, and analytics across more than 20 sub-projects, and consistently received top evaluations from Department of Defense auditors.
He began his career as a finance and operations manager at SRA International in the early 90s, later pursuing an MBA at Stanford University before moving on to The Boston Consulting Group.
David Bartenwerfer: Pioneering Business Executive and Industry Leader
Following his time at the Boston Consulting Group, David Bartenwerfer’s career took off as he assumed executive roles with prominent corporations across the nation.
In 2006, he launched Quantum Consulting and Technology in San Francisco, marking the start of a transformative journey. His entrepreneurial drive and strategic leadership have empowered organizations to leverage advanced quantitative methods and strategic insights to foster profitable growth, gain a sustainable competitive edge, and improve operational intelligence.
Building on his entrepreneurial success, Bartenwerfer co-founded REALbasis Inc. in 2021, a forward-thinking real estate asset management company. As Chief Technology Officer, he supports investors in achieving superior returns by applying sophisticated quantitative techniques to identify top-performing markets and cash-flow-generating real estate assets.
QuantumCT enables product and marketing teams to enhance their decision-making demonstrate forecast, and maximize impact and ROI. Through customizable algorithms and advanced economic and financial modeling, QuantumCT delivers rapid, actionable insights that drive long-term results.
Bartenwerfer’s expertise has also reached professional sports franchises and a regional sports network, where he designed analytical frameworks to pinpoint and measure factors that drive synergies within conglomerates.
David Bartenwerfer Launches REALbasis Inc.
In 2021, David Bartenwerfer co-founded REALbasis Inc., a forward-thinking real estate asset management firm. As co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, he has played a key role in helping investors secure above-market returns by applying sophisticated quantitative techniques to identify high-performing markets and cash-flow-generating real estate assets.
His work has led to groundbreaking solutions for clients, highlighting his ongoing influence in the industry.
Bartenwerfer developed a series of layered algorithms to pinpoint optimal micro-markets, generating superior cash flows and net operating income for above-market returns. Additionally, he designed a generic simulation model employing Monte Carlo simulations to assess risks beyond expected value, offering an accurate view of project viability against investment benchmarks.
He continues to innovate with optimization and continuous learning mechanisms for the investment sector, enhancing both efficiency and effectiveness.
Innovative and Strategic Leadership
David Bartenwerfer is widely respected for his ability to lead cross-functional teams in high-stakes, competitive environments. Known for his collaborative approach and creative problem-solving, he consistently delivers exceptional results. His strategic contributions to business operations through advanced analytics have earned him recognition as both a forward-thinking innovator and a strategic leader.
Bartenwerfer has crafted a series of layered algorithms to pinpoint optimal micro-markets and developed predictive models, including multi-variate multiple regression frameworks, to analyze supply and demand dynamics for residential real estate pricing. He also created Monte Carlo simulation models to accurately evaluate project risks, and his work in software architecture and optimization highlights his commitment to technological advancement.
A thought leader in marketing ROI and technology investment, Bartenwerfer’s articles on applying advanced analytics to business strategy have had a significant industry impact, providing peers and colleagues with fresh insights and innovative perspectives.
David Bartenwerfer Examines Overlooked IT Project Risks and Proposes Solutions
In his recent publication, “Why IT Projects Are Riskier Than Planned and What to Do About It,” David Bartenwerfer advocates for a stronger, more comprehensive approach to technology investment, one that moves beyond traditional ROI analysis.
“Technology investment is critical,” Bartenwerfer states. “Whether to reduce costs, generate revenues, or outpace rivals, investment in technology is an integral part of most corporate strategies. Successful investments can be game-changers for companies, but colossal failures can be equally transformative. Unfortunately, too many technology investments go badly wrong, destroying profits, careers, and sometimes entire companies.”
“While successful investments deliver benefits that outweigh the costs, the popularity of return on investment (ROI) analysis often needs to be improved, particularly for technology initiatives. Business leaders who want to increase the likelihood of success should think beyond ROI and employ a more robust process that drives organizational clarity and accountability while uncovering the potential for both hidden profit and hidden risk.”
David Bartenwerfer Highlights the Importance of Marketing ROI
In his recent four-part series, “Marketing ROI 2.0,” David Bartenwerfer examines the essential role of marketing ROI in today’s fast-changing digital environment. In the article “Why Marketing ROI Is So Important,” he addresses both the challenges and opportunities that arise from the explosion of new channels, including social media, search engines, and an expanding array of keyword options.
The rise of these channels has transformed how consumers engage with brands, pushing marketing teams to reevaluate how they allocate resources in an increasingly competitive funding environment.
Bartenwerfer highlights the unique complexity of marketing compared to other departments. Unlike the straightforward ROI evaluations used to justify investments in products or equipment, marketing demands a more sophisticated approach due to its interconnected nature. He explains that it can take seven to nine “touches” before a customer makes a purchase, which requires marketing strategies to overlap and work together synergistically.
Bartenwerfer notes, “Marketers spend a lot — global spending on media is expected to reach $2.1 trillion in 2019. And, as senior management applies increasing pressure to deliver evidence justifying marketing investments, marketers are also likely to objectively measure the ROI of their efforts. As a result, Marketing organizations today must adapt by optimizing their resources across the new spectrum of marketing objectives. However, even though marketing budgets are high, over 40% of businesses say their top marketing challenge is proving marketing ROI. And without an ROI, businesses cannot determine if their marketing dollars are well spent.”
To address this, he suggests that it “can be accomplished most effectively through careful measurement and scrutiny of holistic ROI, employing both top-down and bottom-up approaches.”
David Bartenwerfer on Marketing in the Digital Age
David Bartenwerfer uses the example of purchasing a major appliance to highlight evolving consumer behavior. Today, consumers have many research tools at their disposal, allowing them to make informed decisions before ever stepping into a store. This change reduces the effectiveness of traditional advertising and in-store marketing. Bartenwerfer emphasizes that marketers must now prioritize the evaluation phase of the consumer decision journey, an area often underfunded yet critical in influencing purchase decisions.
The role of social media, which allows consumers to both advocate for or criticize brands, adds a layer of complexity to marketing strategies. While marketers can try to influence online discussions, many aspects of consumer advocacy remain out of their control, reinforcing the need for a robust approach to measuring marketing ROI.
Bartenwerfer underscores the value of comprehensive marketing ROI analysis, noting key benefits:
- Justification: Analyzing the cost and added value of each marketing initiative at both detailed and broad levels provides clear proof of marketing’s impact on profitability.
- Decision-Making: Detailed ROI assessments help marketers pinpoint high-return activities, guiding more effective budget allocation.
- Accountability: Applying analytical rigor ensures marketing funds are spent wisely, with marketers accountable for each dollar invested.
- Credibility: Demonstrating ROI in terms of Finance and C-level executives’ understanding boosts credibility and reduces pressure by proving marketing’s contribution to overall success.
Bartenwerfer writes that by establishing the right metrics and understanding how they connect, marketing teams can better quantify the value of their investments and drive impactful, informed decisions.
Looking Ahead
David Bartenwerfer’s career is a testament to the power of innovative thinking combined with strategic action. From his early days at SRA International through impactful roles at leading corporations and the founding of Quantum Consulting and Technology, Bartenwerfer has consistently pushed the boundaries of business and technology. His work with professional sports teams, regional sports networks, and his latest venture, REALbasis Inc., highlights his versatility and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Bartenwerfer’s thought leadership in marketing ROI and technology investment reflects a profound understanding of complex business challenges, establishing him as a true industry leader. With his holistic approach to analytics and strategic planning, he continues to guide organizations in achieving sustainable growth and a competitive edge.
