Leveraging Data to Transform the Human Experience: How People Analytics Unlocks Organizational Potential, by Jonathan H. Westover PhD

Abstract: The intersection of big data and human resources has created a powerful new discipline that is revolutionizing how organizations understand and manage their workforce. This article examines how companies are leveraging people analytics—the practice of applying data-driven methods to analyze employee metrics—to transform their operations and strategy. While data analytics has long been embedded in functions like marketing and finance, its application to human capital management represents a significant evolution in organizational thinking. Forward-thinking companies are now systematically collecting and analyzing employee data throughout the entire employment lifecycle, from recruitment through retirement, to gain unprecedented insights into workforce dynamics. By understanding patterns in how employees think, feel, and behave, these organizations are implementing evidence-based changes to their processes, intentionally shaping their cultures, and making more informed strategic decisions. The result is a competitive advantage through optimized human capital deployment that directly impacts business outcomes across multiple performance dimensions.