In advance of her presentation at People Analytics World 2018 in April, Caroline Williams shares a few thoughts on her experiences and predictions in HR Analytics...
I am an experienced People Analytics manager and IT leader, with over 25 years commercial IT experience. Successes include the transformation of BA’s People Analytics function – from reporting to analytics – and consolidating people data onto BA’s warehouse platform.
I have delivered key metrics and analytics to support business decisions aligned to our corporate strategy, whilst also providing data strategy and architecture leadership to embed analytics at the core of business decisions.
I have successfully led HR systems architecture and People Analytics engagement across all directorates at British Airways, building and leading cross-functional teams and managing stakeholders to deliver company wide analytics and reporting solutions.
For how long has your work involved analytics, either directly or in project leadership?
5 years.
For how long have you worked in the HR domain?
15 years.
How well do you feel People Analytics is progressing?
Progressing at the rate that your company requires. I have noticed with interest that not every company focusses on people analytics end to end in the HR cycle, they focus their efforts (and spend) where the greatest need lies, hence people analytics progresses at the rate required.
What have been the greatest challenges that you've faced within People Analytics?
The need for data cleansing, consolidation and standardisation. The analytics is the easy part if data integrity is not compromised.
What are your predictions for 2018 and beyond? Where are things heading?
Improved self service for managers, limited Build Your Own analytics as well as predictive analytics for traditional long standing problems.