Predictive Analytics

Module 1: Analytics Fundamentals

Introduction to Analytics

Analytics involves the systematic computational analysis of data or statistics. It helps in discovering,
interpreting, and communicating meaningful patterns in data, which aids in decision-making.

Analytics Overview

Analytics encompasses various techniques and methods to analyze data, including descriptive, diagnostic,
predictive, and prescriptive analytics. Each type serves a different purpose, from understanding past
performance to predicting future outcomes.

Trends in Analytics

The field of analytics is rapidly evolving with trends such as increased use of artificial intelligence, machine
learning, real-time analytics, and the integration of big data technologies. Businesses are increasingly relying
on these trends to gain competitive advantages.

Predictive Analytics for Business

Predictive analytics uses historical data, algorithms, and machine learning to predict future events. It's
widely used in business for risk management, marketing strategies, customer service improvement, and more.

Case Studies

Case studies demonstrate how predictive analytics has been successfully implemented in various industries,
providing insights into best practices and potential pitfalls.

Module 2: Business Analytics Core

Business Intelligence & Analytics Basics

Business intelligence (BI) and analytics involve the use of data analysis tools and processes to extract
valuable insights from data, helping organizations make data-driven decisions.

Setting Up a Local Analytics Environment

A local analytics environment setup involves installing necessary software and tools to perform data analysis,
ensuring that the environment is configured for efficient data processing and exploration.

Module 3: Data Mining & Preparation

Introduction to Data Mining

Data mining is the process of discovering patterns and knowledge from large amounts of data. The data
sources can include databases,the internet, and other data repositories.

Data Mining Techniques

Several techniques are used in data mining, including classification, clustering, regression, association rule
learning, and anomaly detection. These techniques help in uncovering patterns and relationships in data.

Creating a Data Project

Creating a data project involves defining goals, selecting appropriate data sources, preparing data, and using
analytical methods to derive insights.

Data Collection Methods

Data collection methods include surveys, interviews, observations, and extracting data from existing
databases. Proper data collection is crucial for accurate analysis.

Exploratory Data Analysis

Exploratory data analysis (EDA) involves summarizing the main characteristics of a dataset, often using
visual methods. EDA helps in understanding the data and identifying key patterns and anomalies.

Defining Analysis Units

Defining analysis units involves determining the level of data aggregation for analysis, which could be
individuals, groups, or other entities relevant to the study.

Data Integration Techniques

Data integration involves combining data from different sources into a single, unified view. Techniques
include ETL (Extract, Transform, Load), data warehousing, and data lakes.

Data Transformation & Field Derivation

Data transformation includes converting data into a suitable format or structure for analysis, while field
derivation involves creating new fields from existing data to enhance analysis.

Identifying Data Relationships

Identifying data relationships involves detecting associations or dependencies between variables, which can
be crucial for building predictive models.

Introduction to Predictive Modeling

Predictive modeling involves creating models that predict future outcomes based on historical data. It uses
statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms to forecast trends.

Module 4: Advanced Data Processing

Data Cleansing with Functions

Data cleansing involves using functions to correct or remove inaccurate records from a dataset, ensuring
high-quality data for analysis.

Advanced Field Transformations

Advanced field transformations involve complex operations on data fields to prepare them for analysis,
which may include normalizing, aggregating, or encoding data.
Handling Sequential Data

Handling sequential data, such as time series data, requires special techniques to analyze and predict trends
over time.

Data Sampling & Partitioning

Data sampling involves selecting a subset of data for analysis, while partitioning divides data into training
and testing sets for model validation.

Optimizing Data Workflows

Optimizing data workflows involves streamlining processes to enhance the efficiency and speed of data
analysis and model building.

Module 5: Predictive Modeling & Automation

Introduction to Machine Learning Platforms

Machine learning platforms provide tools and frameworks for building, deploying, and maintaining machine
learning models, offering capabilities for data preprocessing, model training, and evaluation.

AutoML & Model Training Concepts

AutoML (Automated Machine Learning) automates the process of applying machine learning to real-world
problems, simplifying model training and selection.

Neural Networks & Deep Learning Primer

Neural networks and deep learning are advanced machine learning techniques that model complex patterns
in data, often used in applications such as image and speech recognition.