What is descriptive analytics?

Descriptive analytics is a type of analysis that focuses on summarizing historical data, allowing organizations to identify trends and patterns within that data. This method is primarily concerned with understanding what has happened in the past by examining historical data sets and providing insights based on that information. Through techniques such as data aggregation and visualization, descriptive analytics provides a coherent overview of past events, which can then be used to inform decision-making processes.

The essence of descriptive analytics lies in its retrospective nature; it does not seek to predict future outcomes or behaviors, which distinguishes it from other forms of analytics, such as predictive analytics that aim to forecast trends based on existing data. Additionally, while it may involve looking at user behavior, its scope is much broader, encompassing a wide array of historical data rather than focusing solely on any single aspect. Moreover, it does not pertain to database design, which is a different area altogether within the field of data management and analytics.