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Grant Ward

Unlock the power of data and transform your HR practice with our dynamic course, Principles of Analytics.

Dive into the pivotal role that data plays in today's workplace and discover innovative ways to harness its potential for strategic HR decisions.

Designed for intermediate-level HR professionals eager to elevate their skills, this self-paced, four-week course offers a comprehensive exploration of data-driven HR practices.

What you’ll learn:

Read more

Unlock the power of data and transform your HR practice with our dynamic course, Principles of Analytics.

Dive into the pivotal role that data plays in today's workplace and discover innovative ways to harness its potential for strategic HR decisions.

Designed for intermediate-level HR professionals eager to elevate their skills, this self-paced, four-week course offers a comprehensive exploration of data-driven HR practices.

What you’ll learn:

  • The role of data in HR: Understand the critical importance of data in the modern workplace and how it drives decision-making and strategic planning.
  • Harnessing data for HR: Learn the various methods and tools HR professionals can use to collect, analyse and interpret data to enhance organisational outcomes.
  • Data's influence on organisations: Explore how data integrates into different parts of the organisation, from improving employee experience to optimising customer service and stakeholder engagement.
  • Evidence- based practice: Discover how to apply evidence-based practices to inform organisational measures and outcomes, ensuring decisions are grounded in reliable data.
  • Creating value: Gain insights into how data-driven strategies can create value for employees, customers, and other stakeholders, enhancing overall organisational performance.

Join us for this expertly designed course by HR professionals and take a decisive step towards becoming a data-savvy HR leader.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Week 1: principles of analytics
  • Week 2: how to apply evidence-based practice (ebp)
  • Week 3: how evidence-based practice adds value
  • Week 4: why evidence-based practice matters to hr

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Designed for intermediate-level HR professionals seeking to upgrade their skills
Provides a comprehensive exploration of data-driven HR practices
Taught by HR professionals with industry expertise

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Reviews summary

Essential analytics for hr professionals

According to learners, Principles of Analytics provides a solid foundation for applying data in HR, making it highly relevant for intermediate HR professionals. Students consistently highlight the course's ability to clarify the critical role of data in strategic HR decisions and its emphasis on evidence-based practice. The self-paced, four-week structure is frequently praised as flexible and well-designed for integrating into busy schedules, offering actionable insights for improving organizational outcomes. While some advanced users found it too foundational for deeper technical skills, the overall consensus is that it serves as a valuable step towards becoming a data-savvy HR leader.
Flexible structure, easy to manage alongside work.
"The self-paced format was perfect for my busy work schedule, allowing me to learn at my own convenience."
"I could easily fit the weekly lessons into my evenings and weekends, which was a huge plus for me."
"The four-week structure felt just right, providing enough time to absorb the material but keeping momentum."
Provides a clear, comprehensive introduction to data and EBP.
"It lays a very clear and concise foundation for understanding HR analytics, even for someone new to the topic."
"I had limited prior knowledge, and this course made evidence-based practice accessible and easy to grasp."
"The modules effectively cover the basic principles without being overwhelming, building knowledge step-by-step."
Highly relevant for HR, offering practical insights.
"This course genuinely transformed how I view data in HR; it's incredibly practical and applicable to my daily work."
"I appreciate how the course directly ties analytics to strategic HR decisions, making the concepts immediately useful."
"I now feel much more confident in applying data principles to my human resources tasks and discussions."
Occasional repetition of core concepts.
"A few sections felt a bit repetitive, particularly regarding the value proposition of evidence-based practice."
"I found some overlap between the content covered in week 3 and week 4, which could have been condensed."
"The course could have been more concise in certain areas to avoid reiterating points multiple times."
Focuses on principles, not hands-on analytical tools.
"I was hoping for more hands-on work with analytical software, but it's largely theoretical rather than practical tool-based."
"For experienced analysts, this course might feel too basic in terms of technical application and data manipulation."
"It's great for understanding *why* data matters, but less on *how* to perform complex analyses step-by-step."

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 Principles of Analytics with these activities:
Read 'People Analytics' by Alex Brigham
Gain insights into the practical applications of people analytics in HR.
Show steps
  • Review the fundamentals of people analytics
  • Explore case studies and best practices
Engage in peer discussion forums
Connect with peers, exchange knowledge, and contribute to a collaborative learning environment.
Show steps
  • Join and participate in online forums
  • Ask and answer questions
  • Share insights and experiences
Solve data analysis challenges
Enhance data interpretation skills through targeted data analysis exercises.
Browse courses on Data Analysis
Show steps
  • Access and interpret HR data using tools
  • Identify patterns and trends in data
  • Draw insights and make recommendations
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore advanced HR analytics techniques
Expand knowledge of cutting-edge HR analytics techniques to gain a competitive advantage.
Browse courses on Predictive Analytics
Show steps
  • Identify advanced techniques for HR
  • Follow tutorials and online courses
  • Apply techniques to real-world HR challenges
Contribute to open-source HR analytics projects
Gain hands-on experience, build a portfolio, and contribute to the HR analytics community.
Browse courses on Software Development
Show steps
  • Identify open-source HR analytics projects
  • Contribute code, documentation, or support
  • Collaborate with developers and researchers
Create a data-driven HR plan
Develop a comprehensive plan to utilize data for decision-making and improve HR outcomes.
Show steps
  • Identify HR challenges and objectives
  • Collect and analyze HR data
  • Develop data-driven strategies and interventions
  • Implement and evaluate the plan
Design a data dashboard for HR metrics
Develop a visually engaging dashboard to present key HR metrics and insights.
Browse courses on Data Visualization
Show steps
  • Select relevant HR metrics to track
  • Choose appropriate visualization techniques
  • Design and develop the dashboard

Career center

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

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Principles of Analytics.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of organization development, covering theory, research, and practical applications.
The third edition of the essential guide to data wrangling with pandas, NumPy, and Jupyter in Python. Updated for newer versions of the libraries, this book remains a core resource for anyone performing data analysis in Python. It widely used textbook and reference for its clear explanations and practical examples.
Provides a practical guide to doing EBP in healthcare, covering the principles, methods, and application of EBP in various healthcare settings.
Often used as reading material for HR analytics classes, this book dives into metrics and predictive analytics in detail. It's suitable for those looking to deepen their understanding of forecasting and advanced analytical techniques in HR. Useful for graduate students and professionals.
Provides a foundational understanding of the fundamental principles of data science and the data-analytic thinking necessary for extracting value from data in a business context. It is highly relevant for undergraduate business analytics programs and working professionals. It serves as a useful reference for understanding the business applications of data analysis and is commonly used as a textbook.
Practical guide to using HR analytics in all aspects of HR, from strategic planning to workforce management to employee development.
A solid introduction for HR professionals and students, this book focuses on applying data to HR challenges. It's a practical guide that helps build confidence in handling employee and organizational data. Useful for undergraduates and those starting in the field, providing a good overview of key concepts and applications.
Focuses on the crucial skill of communicating insights from data effectively through compelling visualizations. is highly relevant for all levels, emphasizing the importance of clear and impactful data presentation. It is valuable additional reading that complements technical data analysis skills.
Provides a practical, step-by-step approach to using data for HR decision-making. It's a useful guide for HR professionals looking to implement analytics in their daily work. Suitable for undergraduates and professionals seeking actionable guidance.
Bridges the gap between statistical theory and its practical application in data science using R and Python. It focuses on the statistical concepts most relevant to data scientists and provides code examples. It's a useful reference and learning resource for those applying statistics in their work.
Offers hands-on approaches to connecting data with HR policies and practices. It's suitable for professionals at all levels looking to understand and engage with data analytics in HR. It provides practical guidance and can serve as a useful reference tool for applying analytics in real-world scenarios.
Offers key concepts spanning the entire analytics lifecycle with step-by-step instructions for applications in R. It's a good resource for those who want to learn how to apply analytical techniques using a popular open-source tool. Suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals.
Offers a new way of thinking about data science and ethics informed by intersectional feminist thought. It challenges existing power structures within data and explores how data can be used to work towards justice. It's highly relevant for contemporary discussions around fairness and bias in data analysis.
Is an excellent starting point for anyone new to data analysis or statistics. It demystifies core statistical concepts without relying heavily on mathematical formulas, making it highly accessible for high school and undergraduate students. It provides a strong foundation in the intuition behind statistical analysis and helps readers understand how data can be used and misused. This is valuable background reading that builds prerequisite knowledge.
Provides a guide to creating effective and aesthetically pleasing data visualizations. It delves into the principles behind good visualization design, helping readers make informed choices about how to represent their data. It valuable reference for anyone creating visualizations, from students to professionals.
Written by Google's former SVP of People Operations, this book offers real-world examples of how Google used data and analytics to manage its workforce. It provides inspiring case studies and demonstrates the practical application of People Analytics principles. Engaging for all audiences.
Is an excellent starting point for anyone new to People Analytics, including high school students and undergraduates. It provides a clear, practical introduction to the field, explaining how to gather, analyze, and apply workforce data. It's particularly useful for providing foundational knowledge and demystifying the subject.
Focuses specifically on Organizational Network Analysis (ONA), a key technique in People Analytics for understanding communication and collaboration patterns. is valuable for those wanting to specialize in ONA or apply it in their organizations. Best suited for graduate students and professionals.
Is for those who want to get hands-on with HR analytics using the R programming language and machine learning techniques. It's more technical and suitable for advanced students and professionals with a quantitative background or willingness to learn programming for analytics.
Discusses the importance of talent management in today's competitive business environment. It provides practical advice on how to attract, develop, and retain top talent.
Teaches probability and statistics using a computational approach with Python. It's ideal for students and professionals with programming experience who want to understand statistical concepts by doing. It helps solidify understanding through hands-on application.
Addresses the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in HR, which is closely related to contemporary People Analytics. explores how AI can be used to streamline HR processes and improve decision-making. Relevant for those interested in the future of People Analytics and technology's impact.
An earlier but still relevant book focusing on using predictive analytics in HR. It provides a good foundation in applying statistical methods to forecast HR outcomes. Useful for those looking for a more in-depth understanding of predictive modeling in the HR context.
Explores the concept of organizational agility and its benefits for innovation, growth, and customer satisfaction.
A timeless classic that remains highly relevant today. exposes common ways statistics can be manipulated or misinterpreted, fostering a critical eye essential for anyone working with data. It's valuable for all levels, from high school to professional, as it highlights the importance of data integrity and ethical considerations. This serves as crucial additional reading to develop data literacy.
SQL fundamental skill for data analysis, and this book delves into advanced techniques for working with data in databases. It's essential for anyone who needs to retrieve and manipulate data stored in relational databases. It serves as a valuable reference for more complex data extraction and transformation tasks.
Provides a practical guide to EBP for healthcare professionals, covering the principles, methods, and application of EBP in various healthcare settings.
Provides a comprehensive guide to EBP in psychiatry, covering the principles, methods, and application of EBP in psychiatric practice.
Focuses on how HR analytics can be used to improve organizational performance by leveraging social science research.
Presents the balanced scorecard, a performance measurement framework that aligns organizational objectives with strategic goals.
Focuses on the interpersonal skills and facilitation techniques needed by change agents to navigate organizational dynamics and support change initiatives.
A concise guide that covers the fundamentals of HR analytics. It's a good resource for beginners and those looking for a quick overview of the key concepts and processes involved in HR analytics. Suitable for high school students and undergraduates.
Focuses on creating a positive employee experience, an area where People Analytics plays a significant role in measurement and improvement. provides context on the importance of understanding employee sentiment and behavior through data. Relevant for anyone interested in the impact of analytics on the employee journey.
Explores the world of prediction and forecasting across various fields, demonstrating how data analysis and statistical modeling are used in practice. It's particularly engaging for undergraduate and graduate students interested in the application of data analysis in real-world scenarios. It adds breadth by showcasing diverse applications and the challenges involved in making accurate predictions.
Provides a high-level overview of the data science process, from asking questions to interpreting results. It focuses on the principles and concepts rather than specific tools, making it suitable for a broad audience. It helps in gaining a broad understanding of the data analysis workflow.
Provides a hands-on guide to implementing the Toyota Production System (TPS), a renowned approach to organizational efficiency and continuous improvement.
A practical guide to facilitating change in organizations, this book provides techniques and strategies for engaging stakeholders and guiding the change process.
Provides a critical appraisal of EBP in social work, examining its strengths, limitations, and implications for social work practice.
A foundational economics text that introduced the concept of human capital. While not directly about People Analytics as it's known today, it provides essential theoretical background on viewing people as assets and the economic impact of skills and education. This classic that can provide valuable context for graduate students and researchers.
While more focused on the engineering aspects of data systems, this book provides a deep understanding of the underlying infrastructure for data analysis. It's particularly valuable for graduate students and professionals involved in building and maintaining data pipelines and databases. It adds significant depth to understanding the data landscape.
A seminal work on information design and data visualization. While not specific to data analysis techniques, its principles are fundamental for effectively presenting data. It's a classic that influences how we think about visual communication of quantitative information.
Beginner-friendly introduction to HR analytics, covering everything from data collection to analysis to reporting.
Focuses on the talent development aspect of talent management. It provides practical advice on how to develop and retain top talent.

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