Descriptive analytics are the most common, and basic, type of analytics. Descriptive analytics use current and historical data to provide an overview, answer common analytical questions, as well as serve as a foundation for reporting.
With descriptive analytics, organizations can answer these general questions:
- What happened?
- Where did it happen?
- How did it happen?
- When did it happen?
Descriptive analytics can be divided into two categories: Ad hoc reporting and canned reports.
Ad Hoc Reports
Ad hoc reports are designed for a single purpose and aren’t scheduled, and they are created to answer a specific question. Ad hoc reports are used to get more in-depth information on a particular subject.
Canned Reports
A canned report is formatted and delivered on a single subject. For example, a monthly performance report on site metrics delivered to senior executives.
Learn more about the other types of data analytics here.
