People Analytics from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to People Analytics, and Performance Evaluation

In this module, you'll meet Professors Massey, Bidwell, and Haas, cover the structore and scope of the course, and dive into the first topic: Performance Evaluation. Performance evaluation plays an influential role in our work lives, whether it is used to reward or punish and/or to gather feedback. Yet its fundamental challenge is that the measures we used to evaluate performance are imperfect: we can't infer how hard or smart an employee is working based solely on outcomes. In this module, you’ll learn the four key issues in measuring performance: regression to the mean, sample size, signal independence, and process vs. outcome, and see them at work in current companies, including an extended example from the NFL. By the end of this module, you’ll understand how to separate skill from luck and learn to read noisy performance measures, so that you can go into your next performance evaluation sensitive to the role of chance, knowing your environment, and aware of the four most common biases, so that you can make more informed data-driven decisions about your company's most valuable asset: its employees.

Staffing

In this module, you'll learn how to use data to better analyze the key components of the staffing cycle: hiring, internal mobility and career development, and attrition. You'll explore different analytic approaches to predicting performance for hiring and for optimizing internal mobility, to understanding and reducing turnover, and to predicting attrition. You'll also learn the critical skill of understanding causality so that you can avoid using data incorrectly. By the end of this module, you'll be able to use data to improve the quality of the decisions you make in getting the right people into the right jobs and helping them stay there, to benefit not only your organization but also employee's individual careers.

Collaboration

In this module, you'll learn the basic principles behind using people analytics to improve collaboration between employees inside an organization so they can work together more successfully. You'll explore how data is used to describe, map, and evaluate collaboration networks, as well as how to intervene in collaboration networks to improve collaboration using examples from real-world companies. By the end of this module, you'll know how to deploy the tools and techniques of organizational network analysis to understand and improve collaboration patterns inside your organization to make your organization, and the people working within in it, more productive, effective, and successful.

Talent Management and Future Directions

In this module, you explore talent analytics: how data may be used in talent assessment and development to maximize employee ability. You'll learn how to use data to move from performance evaluation to a more deeper analysis of employee evaluation so that you may be able to improve the both the effectiveness and the equitability of the promotion process at your firm. By the end of this module, you'll will understand the four major challenges of talent analytics: context, interdependence, self-fulfilling prophecies, and reverse causality, the challenges of working with algorithms, and some practical tips for incorporating data sensitively, fairly, and effectively into your own talent assessment and development processes to make your employees and your organization more successful. In the course conclusion, you'll also learn the current challenges and future directions of the field of people analytics, so that you may begin putting employee data to work in a ways that are smarter, practical and more powerful.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines techniques used to recruit and retain high-performing individuals, which is valuable knowledge for hiring managers and talent acquisition specialists

Led by three Wharton professors who are pioneers in the field of people analytics

Teaches learners the practical applications of people analytics, which can help organizations improve their talent management strategies

Provides an overview of the theory of people analytics, which is a fundamental understanding for those interested in the field

Explores the use of data to measure performance, a critical skill for evaluating employee contributions and making informed decisions

Covers topics that are relevant to both academic and industry settings, making it a valuable course for a wide range of learners

Reviews summary

Applied people analytics

According to students, this practical course offers an engaging introduction to People Analytics.

Students find interactive materials interesting.

Course provides real-world applications.

"newer applications and research with analytics to address common concerns relating to managing people."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in People Analytics with these activities:

Explore Google's People Analytics Tutorial

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Learn the fundamentals of people analytics by following a guided tutorial from a leading company in the field.

Browse courses on People Analytics

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Visit the Google People Analytics Tutorial page.
Watch the introductory video.
Complete the interactive exercises.

Seek Mentorship from a People Analytics Professional

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Connect with an experienced people analytics professional who can provide guidance and support.

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Identify potential mentors through networking events or online platforms.
Reach out to your potential mentors and express your interest in their mentorship.
Meet with your mentor regularly to discuss your progress and get feedback.

Join a People Analytics Study Group

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Engage with peers in regular study sessions to reinforce your understanding of people analytics.

Browse courses on People Analytics

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Find or create a study group with other learners.
Set regular meeting times and stick to them.
Take turns leading discussions and sharing insights.

Four other activities

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Create a People Analytics Resource Library

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Gather and organize valuable resources on people analytics to facilitate your learning journey.

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Conduct research to identify relevant articles, books, and websites.
Create a central repository to store your resources.
Categorize and organize your resources for easy access.
Regularly update your resource library with new and relevant content.

Read Measuring and Managing Performance in Organizations

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Review a classic text on performance evaluation to understand in-depth the theories and practices involved in performance evaluation.

View Melania on Amazon

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Read Chapter 1: The Nature and Importance of Performance Measurement.
Read Chapter 2: Methods of Performance Measurement.
Read Chapter 3: Evaluating Performance Measurement Systems.

Develop a People Analytics Plan for Your Organization

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Create a comprehensive plan that outlines how you will use people analytics to improve your organization.

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Define the goals and objectives of your people analytics plan.
Identify the key metrics that you will track.
Develop a strategy for collecting and analyzing data.
Create a plan for using your people analytics insights to make better decisions.
Present your plan to stakeholders and get their buy-in.

Participate in a Data Analytics Hackathon

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Apply your people analytics skills in a practical setting and compete against others to solve real-world problems.

Browse courses on People Analytics

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Find a data analytics hackathon that aligns with your interests.
Form a team or work individually.
Gather relevant data and analyze it using people analytics techniques.
Develop a solution to the problem.
Present your solution to a panel of judges.

Career center

Learners who complete People Analytics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Human Resources Manager

People analytics can provide an HR manager with insight into the performance of employees in recruiting, performance evaluation, and other key areas. The course on People Analytics provides a firm understanding of the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help an HR manager make more informed decisions about how to manage people. This course may be particularly useful for HR managers who are looking to use data to improve the effectiveness of their HR practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Data Analyst

A data analyst who specializes in people analytics can use data to improve the effectiveness of HR practices, such as recruiting, performance evaluation, and talent management. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help a data analyst develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Talent Acquisition Manager

Talent Acquisition Managers can use people analytics to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their recruiting efforts.

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Recruiter

People analytics can help recruiters make more informed decisions about which candidates to hire. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help a recruiter develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Organizational Psychologist

People analytics can help organizational psychologists understand the factors that contribute to employee performance and satisfaction. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help an organizational psychologist develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Compensation and Benefits Manager

People analytics can help compensation and benefits managers design and implement compensation and benefits programs that are fair and equitable. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help a compensation and benefits manager develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compensation and Benefits Manager

Performance Management Consultant

Performance management consultants help organizations improve their performance management systems. People analytics can provide performance management consultants with the data they need to make informed recommendations about how to improve performance management practices. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help a performance management consultant develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Performance Management Consultant

Training and Development Manager

Training and development managers can use people analytics to identify the training and development needs of their employees. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help a training and development manager develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Change Management Consultant

Change management consultants help organizations implement change initiatives. People analytics can provide change management consultants with the data they need to understand the impact of change on employees. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help a change management consultant develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Employee Relations Manager

Employee relations managers can use people analytics to understand the concerns of employees and develop strategies to address them. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help an employee relations manager develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Labor Relations Manager

Labor relations managers can use people analytics to understand the needs of unions and develop strategies to negotiate with them. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help a labor relations manager develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and inclusion managers can use people analytics to identify and address barriers to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help a diversity and inclusion manager develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Business Analyst

Business analysts can use people analytics to understand the impact of business decisions on employees. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help a business analyst develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Financial Analyst

Financial analysts can use people analytics to understand the impact of financial decisions on employees. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help a financial analyst develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts can use people analytics to understand the needs and wants of customers. The course on People Analytics provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of people analytics, which can help a market research analyst develop the skills needed to succeed in this role.

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