How People Analytics is Different from HR Reporting

People analytics is the use of data and analytics to improve the way organizations make decisions about their workforce. It involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data about employee behavior, attitudes, and performance, and using those insights to inform and guide HR policies, processes, and practices.

HR reporting, on the other hand, involves the collection and presentation of data about specific HR processes, such as payroll and attendance. While both people analytics and HR reporting involve the analysis of data, there are several key differences between the two.
One key difference is the scope of the data being analyzed. People analytics involves collecting and analyzing data from a range of sources within an organization, including HR systems, payroll records, and employee surveys, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the workforce. HR reporting, on the other hand, is typically focused on specific HR processes, rather than the broader workforce dynamics.

Another difference is the level of analysis and interpretation involved. People analytics involves a more in-depth analysis of the data, using techniques such as data visualization and predictive analytics to identify patterns and trends, and to inform and guide HR policies and practices. HR reporting, on the other hand, is generally more focused on presenting key metrics and data points, rather than providing analysis or interpretation of the data.

Finally, people analytics goes beyond just reporting to involve a more proactive and strategic approach to HR decision-making. While HR reporting can help organizations to track and monitor key HR metrics, people analytics enables organizations to use data and analytics to proactively identify and address key workforce challenges and opportunities. This might involve identifying high-performing employees who are ready for promotion, or identifying the factors that are most likely to lead to employee retention or turnover.

In an article for HRExaminer (Oct 2020), HR consultant and author John Sumser stated that “over the next two to five years HR’s most important asset will be its data”. People Analytics represents a new paradigm for HR decision-making, one that is driven by data and analytics rather than intuition and tradition.

In conclusion, while both people analytics and HR reporting involve the collection and analysis of data, there are several key differences between the two. People analytics is a more comprehensive and strategic approach to HR decision-making, one that involves collecting and analyzing data from a range of sources within an organization, and using data visualization and predictive analytics to identify patterns and trends, and to inform and guide HR policies and practices. By adopting a more data-driven approach to people analytics, organizations can use data and analytics to improve the way they make decisions about their workforce and drive business growth.