Prescriptive Analytics

Prescriptive Analytics is the use of data, statistical models and optimization techniques to recommend specific actions that improve HR decisions and outcomes.

What is Prescriptive Analytics

Prescriptive analytics goes beyond describing past events and forecasting future trends. It evaluates possible interventions, ranks options and suggests the best course of action given constraints and objectives. In HR this means turning data into clear, actionable recommendations for people decisions.

How does it work

Typical steps include gathering HR data, applying predictive models to estimate outcomes, and using optimization or simulation to find the best actions. The output is actionable guidance such as which candidates to prioritise, when to hire, or which retention programs to deploy.

Practical usage in HR

Organizations use prescriptive analytics to align workforce decisions with business goals, control costs and maintain compliance. It supports recruitment, skill gap planning, shift scheduling, and pay decisions.

• Prioritising candidates to reduce time to hire
• Designing retention offers for at-risk employees
• Scheduling to meet demand while minimising overtime
• Optimising succession and training investments

Related HR concepts include predictive analytics, descriptive analytics, people analytics, workforce planning and optimization. These approaches work together to diagnose issues, forecast trends and recommend actions.