Predictive analytics uses machine learning techniques to detect patterns in historical data that can be used to forecast or predict future behaviors, trends, and events.
Added Perspectives
Eckerson Group defines predictive analytics as the use of statistical or machine-learning models to discover patterns and relationships in data that can help business people predict future behavior or activity.
Also known as advanced analytics, data mining or knowledge discovery, predictive analytics involves: Creating models using data that represents past business activity. Applying these models to new business data to make predictions and create rules. Embedding models into applications to optimize business processes, improve business decisions and automate responses.