Advocates of analytics often speak about the transformative power of data-enriched decision making in organizations--how analytics can enhance the use of data as a basis for decision making to achieve ever higher organizational performance.

However, organizations are made up of human beings whose skills and continued motivation are paramount for innovation and achieving shared goals. So leaders in an analytically sophisticated organization must be mindful of the data about the workforce that can empower and enhance the performance of employees.

Like me, you may consider your employees to be your organization’s most important resource and the well-spring of customer service and innovation. Transforming organizations requires involvement and commitment of properly skilled and aligned employees.

That is why it’s good for all local government managers to understand the role analytics is increasingly playing in the field of human resource management—an area that’s essential to the success of the organization. How can analytics assist the professionals in our Personnel or Human Resources departments in hiring and building the skill sets necessary to enable our employees to achieve higher levels of performance and attain the goals of our local governments and communities?

I just read a great article by Mark Berry, “HR Analytics - The ‘GPS’ of True HR Transformation” that provides an overview of the transformative role HR analytics can play in today’s analytically aware organizations. I hope you’ll pass it along to your HR professionals. (Berry is Vice President of Human Resources, CGB Enterprises Inc.)

Remember that using analytics for transformation is not just about technical systems but also about utilizing the talents of our employees and attending to their well-being.