Big Data for HR: People Analytics, Hiring & Retention

Ever feel like your HR data lives in ten different places—and none of them talk to each other? In this lecture, we’ll untangle the web of systems and tools that power modern HR analytics and show you how to connect the dots between them. You’ll see how companies are using integrated technologies to turn scattered information into a single, actionable view of their workforce.

• Identify the key internal and external sources of HR data and what each reveals

• Understand how systems like HRIS, ATS, and LMS generate and manage workforce insights

• Learn how BI tools like Power BI, Tableau, and Visier bring data together for analysis

• Explore real-world examples, including how Microsoft and PwC use analytics for productivity and well-being

• Recognize the importance of ethical and transparent data integration to maintain trust

Ever wondered how to turn a flood of HR data into clear, actionable strategy? This lecture introduces the frameworks and processes that transform raw numbers into insights—and insights into measurable results. You’ll learn how structured analytics, clear benchmarks, and goal alignment can make HR a true business driver.

• Learn the four-step HR analytics process—from data collection to actionable insights

• Understand the four types of analytics: descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive

• Explore how OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) connect HR metrics to business strategy

• See real-world examples from Unilever, Schneider Electric, and Experian of analytics driving impact

• Discover how to turn analytics into a continuous improvement loop that strengthens decision-making

You don’t need a fully built analytics function to start using data in HR—you just need the right strategy to begin. In this lecture, we’ll cut through the buzzwords and get into the real-world steps HR teams are taking to make analytics stick in daily practice. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling up, these best practices will help you turn intention into execution.

• Learn why small, focused pilot projects are the smartest way to launch HR analytics

• Explore how to choose the right tools, platforms, and infrastructure for your HR data stack

• Discover how companies like Henkel and Nestlé built internal analytics capabilities and cultures of evidence

• Understand why data quality and system integration matter just as much as the insights you generate

• Get practical tips on building momentum—from securing stakeholder buy-in to celebrating small wins that shift your culture

Hiring doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With the right data, HR teams can predict which candidates are the best fit, shorten the hiring cycle, and avoid costly attrition. In this lecture, we explore how big data is reshaping every stage of the recruitment process—from sourcing to selection to long-term success.

• See how companies use data to optimize sourcing channels and screen top candidates faster

• Learn how predictive hiring models identify candidates most likely to succeed and stay

• Explore key recruiting metrics—Time to Fill, Quality of Hire, and Cost per Hire—and how to improve them

• Examine real-world examples from SAP, Xerox, Vodafone, and others using data to reduce turnover and boost hiring efficiency

• Understand the ethical risks of algorithmic bias and how to keep fairness at the center of your recruiting strategy

What if you could predict tomorrow’s talent needs before they disrupt your business? Today’s leading companies are using big data to do just that—anticipating staffing gaps, optimizing labor costs, and aligning workforce strategy with evolving business demands.

• Learn how predictive analytics helps HR teams forecast future hiring and skill needs

• Explore how organizations like ING and Siemens identify and close skill gaps before they become critical

• See how scenario modeling helps companies plan for expansion, automation, and other shifts

• Discover how Walmart and Amazon use real-time data to optimize scheduling, productivity, and workforce agility

• Understand the ethical considerations of hyper-optimized planning—why employee well-being must be part of the equation

Annual reviews can feel like a formality—but big data is helping organizations turn performance management into something timely, fair, and actionable. In this lecture, we’ll explore how analytics is making feedback faster, evaluations more accurate, and development more personalized.

• Learn how real-time data is replacing outdated annual review cycles with continuous feedback

• See how companies like Adobe and Starbucks link performance metrics to team productivity and customer outcomes

• Understand how to identify business-relevant KPIs that actually drive results

• Explore how predictive analytics is being used to surface high-potential talent and prevent burnout

• Discover tools like Viva Insights and SAP SuccessFactors that enable smarter, more supportive performance strategies

Why do great employees leave—and could you have seen it coming? Data is helping HR teams spot the early warning signs and intervene before it’s too late.

• Understand how tools like eNPS, pulse surveys, and sentiment analysis give a real-time view of engagement

• Explore predictive retention models that flag at-risk employees based on behavioral and performance data

• Learn how companies like IBM and SAP use data to design high-impact interventions that actually reduce attrition

• Discover how to build personalized, data-driven strategies that improve morale and keep top performers engaged

• Get practical tips for combining structured and unstructured data to create a fuller picture of the employee experience

The power of HR analytics comes with real responsibility. Collecting and interpreting employee data can unlock incredible insights—but without strong ethics and transparency, it can just as easily erode trust. In this lecture, we’ll examine the fine line between using data to empower people and crossing into surveillance or bias.

• Learn the key global data privacy laws every HR professional should understand, including GDPR, CCPA, and BIPA

• See how companies like Microsoft and Barclays adjusted their analytics practices after employee backlash

• Understand how to balance transparency, consent, and communication to build employee trust

• Explore real-world examples of algorithmic bias—like Amazon’s AI recruiting failure—and how to prevent it

• Discover practical steps for data governance, security, and auditing to ensure ethical analytics practices

Big data isn’t slowing down—it’s evolving fast, and HR is right at the center of the transformation. From AI that suggests internal career paths to real-time dashboards that detect burnout risks, the future of HR is deeply data-driven—and it’s already arriving. This lecture explores the innovations shaping what’s next in HR analytics and how to prepare for it.

• Discover how AI and machine learning are reshaping hiring, development, and career planning

• Learn why real-time and continuous analytics are replacing static reports across HR functions

• Explore the rise of people analytics as a mainstream HR capability and strategic asset

• See how companies like Booking.com and Genpact are personalizing the employee experience with data

• Understand global adoption patterns and what emerging tools like prescriptive analytics mean for the future of work

You’ve covered a lot—tools, trends, metrics, models—and now it’s time to connect the dots. This final lecture helps you step back, see the full picture, and figure out how to move from theory to action. Whether you’re starting small or building momentum for a bigger shift, this session will help you chart your path forward.

• Review the core themes of the course and how each part fits into a data-informed HR strategy

• Learn how to start applying people analytics in your organization with small, practical steps

• Get tips for building confidence, earning buy-in, and sharing early wins with your team

• Discover resources to continue growing your HR analytics skills—from tools and communities to further learning

• Reflect on how data can make HR more strategic, more human, and more impactful across your organization