The Profession Map / Specialist knowledge / People analytics

This area is about gathering and using data and information to provide insights into people issues and guide decision-making.

It involves understanding research design, framing of questions, and the quantitative and qualitative techniques which help to address organisational issues or challenges.

Analytical consulting enables the exploration of issues and problems in a methodical way, in order to shape solutions. Approaches will involve knowledge of statistical analysis, interpretation and presentation of data in a meaningful way.

This combination of people intelligence, combined with improved decision-making, should maximise our ability as people professionals to make informed and actionable recommendations.

Data transparency relating to the workforce is critical if data is to be used by line managers in their decision-making [...] Individuals in organisations with strong people analytics cultures also report strong business outcomes. People analytics cultures are also positively related to perceptions of HR strategy, demonstrating their importance in organisations wishing to improve overall outcomes."

CIPD 'People analytics: driving business performance with people data' (2018: 35)

People analytics standards

Each standard progresses through four levels of impact. Which level do you most embody in your day-to-day work?


	Foundation level	Associate level	Chartered Member level	Chartered Fellow level
	At this level you'll understand:	At this level you'll understand:	At this level you'll understand:	At this level you'll understand:
Databases	What databases are used in your organisation	Databases, their architecture, integration and landscape	Databases, their architecture, integration and landscape and how to select which database to use	Databases, their architecture, integration with other databases, landscape and how they drive strategic decision- making
Analytical consulting	What analytical consulting is	How to apply analytical consulting to people problems	How to apply an analytical consulting approach to problems to shape solutions	How to use analytical consulting to inform organisation decision- making
Understanding data	How data is generated, organised and extracted	Business intelligence tools and analysis methodologies	How to generate and align people data with business intelligence data to generate insights	How to generate and align people data with business intelligence data to inform strategic decision-making
Data modelling	How to create basic data models (eg analysis of change over time)	How people data modelling is influenced by machine learning and statistical modelling	How people data modelling is influenced by machine learning and statistical modelling	How to align modelling methodologies to people and business intelligence data
Research design	How to carry out basic quantitative research techniques	How to conduct research design and select from a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques to address issues	How to conduct research design and select from a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques to address issues	How to shape research design using innovations in practice to effectively analyse organisation problems
Data analysis	How to conduct data analysis (eg means, medians, percentiles, correlations, standard deviations)	How to do simple multivariate analysis (eg regression analysis, factor analysis)	How to do advanced multivariate analysis (eg structured equation modelling)	The value of multivariate analysis in addressing organisation problems
Visualisation techniques	How to use data tables and how to turn data into simple charts and graphs	Various data visualisation techniques to represent data and insights	Various data visualisation techniques and how to translate into actionable recommendations	Innovations, good practice and effective approaches to convey data, including storytelling techniques

Next: Resourcing

Identifying, attracting and recruiting to get the right people for the organisation

Continue to Resourcing

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