Coming soon · Book Profile
Fundamentals of HR Analytics A Manual on Becoming HR Analytical
A practical manual showing HR practitioners how to apply data, statistics, and analytical thinking to connect HR policies and practices to measurable business performance.
A profile of this book is on the way.
What it’s about
Fundamentals of HR Analytics demystifies people analytics by arming HR professionals with a hands-on, eight-step methodology to turn business problems into testable hypotheses, analyse data, derive insights, and tell compelling stories that drive decisions. Rather than treating turnover and engagement as ends in themselves, the book teaches readers to make business outcomes (revenue, profit, productivity) the dependent variable, and to combine HR variables with business data to demonstrate HR's true impact. With accessible reviews of finance, statistics, and analytic tools (Excel, Tableau, Workday), and richly detailed real-world case studies across turnover, training ROI, workforce planning, recruitment, compensation/benefits, and career planning, the book makes analytics achievable for every practitioner—helping HR finally earn its 'seat at the table' by speaking the language of business.
The through-line
- Who it’s for
- An HR practitioner who wants to be a credible, strategic business partner with a 'seat at the table' by making data-driven people decisions.
- The problem
- HR struggles to link its policies and practices to business outcomes and to answer leaders' questions with credible, fact-based analysis. They feel ignored or dismissed, fearing their arguments come across as 'gut feel' versus the line's 'gut feel'.
- The plan
- Learn the core finance and statistics concepts cast in an HR light.
- Adopt data-analytic thinking and the eight-step methodology.
- Master data collection, cleaning, and warehousing.
- Build and test hypotheses and models on real HR problems.
- Apply techniques to turnover, training, resourcing, recruitment, pay, and career planning.
- The payoff
- HR becomes a trusted, data-driven business partner whose recommendations are bought into by senior leadership. · People decisions demonstrably improve productivity, revenue, and profitability. · Turnover and other problems are reduced through evidence-based interventions with positive ROI.
See our guide
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Additional reading
- The Organism · Kurt Goldstein
Maslow sources the term 'self-actualization' from Goldstein and builds upon his holistic view of the organism.
- Explorations in Personality · H. A. Murray, et al.
Cited as providing an 'excellent discussion' on the basic principle of centering motivation theory on goals rather than instigation or behavior.
- Social Interest · Alfred Adler
Maslow credits Adler and his followers for stressing the importance of the 'esteem needs,' which he felt were neglected by Freudian psychoanalysts.
- Wisdom of the Body · W. B. Cannon
Provides the foundational concept of 'homeostasis,' which Maslow uses as the starting point for his discussion of physiological needs.
- Multipliers · Liz Wiseman
Explores how leaders can either amplify ('multiply') or diminish ('diminish') the intelligence and capabilities of their teams, a key concept for creating a positive, low-anxiety environment.
- The Fearless Organization · Amy Edmondson
Provides the foundational research and practical steps for creating psychological safety, which the book identifies as crucial for reducing interpersonal anxiety and encouraging people to speak up.
- Mindset · Carol Dweck
Explains the difference between a 'growth mindset' and a 'fixed mindset,' which is presented as a key tool for helping employees manage perfectionism and see failures as learning opportunities.
- Crucial Conversations · Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, et al.
Recommended as a resource for employees to learn how to navigate difficult, high-stakes conversations, directly addressing the book's theme of moving from conflict avoidance to healthy debate.
- Better Allies · Karen Catlin
The author is quoted on specific, actionable steps for allyship, making her book a practical guide for implementing the principles in Chapter 7.
- Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People · Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald
Explains the science of implicit bias, which is central to the book's argument that leaders need to be proactive allies because 'not being racist/sexist' isn't enough.