What is meant by prescriptive analytics?

Prescriptive analytics refers to the process of recommending specific actions or strategies based on the results of predictive analytics, which forecast future outcomes based on data analysis. This type of analytics goes beyond merely predicting what might happen; it actively suggests how to achieve desired outcomes or mitigate risks. For example, if predictive analytics indicates a high likelihood of inventory shortages, prescriptive analytics would provide actionable recommendations on ordering more stock or optimizing supply chain operations.

The other options describe different types of analytics. Summarizing past data relates more to descriptive analytics, which focuses on understanding historical data trends and insights. A statistical approach to data can encompass various methods used in data analysis but does not specifically refer to making recommendations based on predictions. Benchmarking against historical performance involves comparing current metrics to past results but does not imply active recommendations for future actions. Each of these plays a role in data analytics, but prescriptive analytics is specifically concerned with guiding decision-making.