Introduction
Managing and getting the best of the organization’s workforce is one of the important functions of management in any given organization. However, the decisions made regarding managing employees have traditionally been non-data driven. Luckily with the evolvement of technology, most of the organization has increasingly adopted Human resource management systems or similar systems that are designed to help improve the way the human resources of the organization are managed. The adoption of technology in the management of human resources has led to the creation of big data which if properly utilized can lead to data-based human resource management. Since data-based human resource management emphasis on well-informed decision making, the quality of the decision made and the effectiveness of HR practices generally improves. The purpose of this report is to explore the industry's best practice in the utilization of human resource analytic in the process of managing and getting the best of the human resources. People analytic or human resource analytic is defined as a deeply data-driven and goal-focused method of studying all people, process, and practices, and elevate them to achieve better and sustainable performance (Bassi, 2011). Leornadi & Contractor (2018), defines people analytic as the use of statistical insights from employees’ data to make talent management decisions. This project has been undertaken in conjunction with the ACTEWAGL, a utility company in the Canberra region. In the Conjunction University of Canberra Industry Project Unit, ACTEWAGL is currently overhauling its process with the aims of improving them. Currently, the HR process and practice in the company are largely non-data driven.
This project reviews the available literature on people analytics/ human resource analytic and demonstrates how this can be used to improve the human resource process and practice at ACTEWAGL.
Background
ACTEWAGL is a utility company in the Canberra region. The company, which was established in 2000 as a joint venture between Australian Gas Light Company (AGL) and Icon Water Limited (formerly ACTEW Corporation) provides utility services to the Australian Capital Territory and South-east, New South Wales. Even though it is one of the oldest Utility Company in Australian Capital Territory and South-east, and currently enjoy a region-wide recognition, the company operate in a competitive environment where even though prices are regulated, their number of competitors has increased in recent years and therefore need a sustainable source of competitive advantage if it has to stay at the top.
Methodology
This report adopted a case methodology and the data used was gathered from the industry partner through telephone interviews as well as through publicly available information. Secondary data from peer-reviewed journals were used to understand the opportunity and the best practices in industry partners can adopt.