Along with self-service analytics, a number of other key trends will drive data analytics forward in the coming year.
Prescriptive Analytics
Prescriptive becomes the new predictive.
The true value of analytics can only be realized when the analysis points to what steps you should take to drive optimization and maximize ROI in the future. But, conventional predictive analytics tools are limited in that they only look back at historical data and forecast what they think will happen, leaving the question of “What do I do about it?” up to you. In the coming year, prescriptive analytics — recommended actions based on smart pattern discovery — will take the lead as companies look for more sophisticated analyses that help them drive change, optimization and ROI, instead of just an historical snapshot or a probable forecast.