Oracle Analytics

The four realms of analytics: descriptive analytics, predictive analytics, prescriptive analytics, and diagnostic analytics can be organized along a dimension from rules-based to probability-based and the dimension of time (past and future). This simple two-by-two matrix offers a powerful framework for organizing and describing the differences between analytical processes. While the four realms are often cited, they seldom appear without there being considerable confusion in understanding the distinctions between them. Rather than relying on dictionary definitions and unspecified connotations, this simple framework is offered as a way to communicate different types of analytics to lay audiences.