HR Research Institute Forms Advisory Board to Guide People Analytics Strategy

The HR Research Institute has established a new State of People Analytics Advisory Board to aid HR professionals in navigating the complexities of people-focused metrics and analytics. This board, composed of industry veterans and data experts, aims to provide guidance on leveraging analytics to make informed, equitable, and effective workplace decisions. The initiative comes as HR leaders increasingly face the challenge of aligning workforce strategy with business impact amidst evolving technological landscapes and skills shortages.

The Advisory Board will contribute to the design of an upcoming research study and a virtual event titled 'HR.com's State of People Analytics 2025 Virtual Event', scheduled for November 12, 2025. The event promises to offer practical frameworks and insights on integrating data and analytics into HR strategies and operations. Board members include notable figures such as Chris Coleman of Verizon and Helen Friedman of Merit Analytics Group LLC, among others, bringing a wealth of experience and thought leadership to the table.

Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, emphasized the critical role of analytics in today's business environment, highlighting the board's mission to empower HR professionals to use data not just for reporting but for leadership. The HR Research Institute continues to support the HR community with free research reports and infographics, including the recent 'HR.com's State of People Analytics 2024-25', available for download at https://hr.com/researchinstitute. This formation of the advisory board represents a strategic response to the growing need for data-driven HR practices that can effectively address workforce challenges and drive organizational success in an increasingly complex business landscape.

The importance of this initiative lies in its potential to bridge the gap between traditional HR practices and modern data analytics requirements. As organizations grapple with skills shortages and rapidly changing technology environments, the ability to make evidence-based decisions about workforce management becomes increasingly critical. The advisory board's guidance could help HR professionals move beyond basic reporting to predictive analytics that anticipate workforce needs and identify potential challenges before they impact business operations.

This development matters because it addresses a fundamental shift in how HR functions contribute to organizational strategy. Rather than being viewed primarily as an administrative function, HR is increasingly expected to provide strategic insights that drive business outcomes. The advisory board's work could help standardize approaches to people analytics across industries, creating more consistent and reliable methods for measuring workforce effectiveness and identifying opportunities for improvement in talent management practices.