What is Data Analytics?

Descriptive Analytics describes what has happened over a given period of time.

For example, “Have the number of views gone up?” “Are sales stronger this month than last?”

Diagnostic Analytics focuses on WHY something happened. This requires more diverse data inputs and hypothesizing.

For example, “Did the weather affect beer sales?” “Did that latest marketing campaign impact sales?”

Predictive Analytics describes what is likely going to happen in the near term.

For example, “What happened to sales the last time we had a hot summer?” “How many weather models predict a hot summer this year?”

Prescriptive Analytics suggests a course of action.

For example, “The last time we had a summer this hot, our beverage sales went up 60%. This means we should increase beverage production.”