What is Analytics?
Analytics is the process of using data relationships and computer models to drive organizational value, improve decision making, and understand human relationships.
Prescriptive analytics focuses on trends using simulation and optimization, while predictive analytics uses statistical tools to predict the future, and descriptive analytics is concerned with enabling smart decisions based on data.
See examples on the Northwestern MSiA page: Analytics Examples
Check out Gapminder by Hans Rosling: www.gapminder.org
- 200 countries, 200 Years is a very cool way to spend 4 Minutes!!
Some great reads on analytics:
Competing on Analytics, by Thomas Davenport