Data Analysis: The Future of Decision Making in TD

Today, data has become a coveted resource for organizations. If leveraged effectively, data promotes decision making based on facts rather than preference or an organization’s previous practices. While organizations may collect a lot of data, it’s only useful if it can be analyzed to draw conclusions. TD professionals should be able to collect and analyze data to generate meaningful insights about talent. Doing so positions TD as a strategic partner in accomplishing organizational objectives.

In Data Analysis: The Future of Decision Making in TD, 313 TD professionals answered questions about their skill level in data analysis, how they develop their skills in this area, and how they leverage data to influence the learning function and their organizations.

Key findings include:

• TD professionals are skilled in data analysis. However, 89 percent wish they were even more skilled in data analysis.

• Most TD professionals have received training in data analysis. Forty-four percent have received both formal and informal training, and nearly 60 percent have been encouraged by their manager to develop data analysis skills.

• TD professionals use a variety of tools (such as HR management systems, employee surveys, and learning assessments) to collect data. They use data to analyze performance gaps, inform training design, and demonstrate the value of TD.