Reasons Why Both the Prescriptive Vs. Predictive Analytics Is Getting More Popular In Businesses

Businesses need to understand the distinctions and discuss the issues that may be resolved with the two kinds of analytics; Prescriptive Analysis and Predictive Analysis. Prescriptive analytics will offer solutions for long-term decision-making, while predictive analytics offers short-term measures for company understanding. Algorithms must be fine-tuned with the most recent data as the firm expands to collect current and pertinent information. The key differences and their respective usage must be understood to implement both analytical methods, and these are discussed further below. 

What Is Prescriptive Analysis 

Prescriptive analytics are different in that they do more than just predict what will happen; they also provide the user alternatives and decide which business solutions are optimal given a set of criteria. A business or organization’s model is developed using prescriptive analytics. To guarantee that this model correctly captures all aspects of the company, it is evaluated against historical and current data. Users may query the model to determine the optimal course of action based on established parameters such as profitability, SLAs, and throughput rather than just making predictions about what will happen. Prescriptive analytics in the context of the aforementioned predictive maintenance example recognizes the need for maintenance and evaluates the best options for repair, replacement, or outsourcing to maximize total profitability. 

What Is Predictive Analysis 

Predicting potential future outcomes using statistical and modeling methods are known as predictive analytics. It uses historical data and modeling approaches to determine the chance of a certain occurrence or event. Predictive maintenance, which used a variety of algorithms and observed machine data to estimate the life of important components, is an excellent example of predictive analytics in action. Although this information is practical and actionable, it does not specify what should be done; rather, it only alerts the user to the need for maintenance. 

The Key Differences 

Both predictive and prescriptive analytics are crucial tools for business, and each has a place in it. Predictive analytics, however, is behind prescriptive analytics in the Gartner hierarchy of analytics, as was mentioned above. This is because predictive analytics predicts what happens but does not provide direction for necessary actions. Prescriptive analytics, on the other hand, not only predicts what will happen but also identifies the optimal course of action for the organization. 

Prescriptive Analysis: 

• Makes predictions based on probabilistic models. 
• Determines the most likely time for an event to occur 
• Produces results that serve as decision-making indicators (non-actionable) 
• Posts that choices are made in response to a limited set of specified circumstances. 
• Is entirely data-driven 
• Makes specific business recommendations 
• Reflects on interdependencies 
• Is not constrained by fixed rules. 
• Brings about real, demonstrable advantages 

Predictive Analysis: 

• Assists in building a business model using data 
• Recommends leveraging dependent variables to make data-driven decisions for a corporation. 
• Builds measurable, quantifiable models that provide decision-makers with non-biased insights ● Combines inputs, outputs, and variables to create business models that are calibrated and validated. 
• Models specific features of a business. 
• Predicts what is most likely to occur 
• Determines when it will occur 
• The results are not actionable; they merely point out the necessity for a decision. 

Why Businesses Need Both 

Although most companies employ business intelligence, many companies have not yet advanced to predictive analytics. According to Gartner, just 11% of medium-sized and big organizations are now employing prescriptive analytics. But according to Gartner, the market for prescriptive analytics software will grow at a CAGR of 20.6 percent from 2017 to 2022. This predicts that prescriptive analytics will be used by approximately 37% of businesses.