Welcome to the One Model resource page for books about People Analytics. This is meant to be a living document, so if we missed one of your favorites, please don't hesitate to reach out to Richard Rosenow with a recommendation. He's always looking to add to the library.
During June, July, and August, the One Model team and friends across the industry will be participating in an interactive summer book club. Connect with us on LinkedIn and join in on the conversation #peopleanalyticsbookclub.
"The Algorithm is fascinating to me because it caused a stir with the general public about how AI was changing the world of work, but I heard very little community discussion within People Analytics on this book. As this book is a journalistic deep dive into the algorithms and predictive tools that are used and monitored by many professionals in people analytics, I want that to change. I'm looking forward to discussing this book with all of you and the author in our July book club." - Richard Rosenow
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"This book, by Jac Fitz-enz and Barbara Davison, is a cornerstone of our field. It was groundbreaking when it was first published in 1984 and remains incredibly relevant today. Fitz-enz's insights into quantifying and evaluating HR practices were years ahead of their time, laying the groundwork for the sophisticated analytics we use now." - Richard Rosenow
Past Book Club Books:
"This book is already on my bedside table, and I cannot wait to dive in. As we continue to explore the power of people analytics, I find it essential to keep an eye on ethical HR practices." - Richard Rosenow
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When it comes to books about people analytics, we are finally at a point where we have the luxury of having too many choices. The virtual library is well stocked and all of these books come highly recommended and vetted by our experts, but if you had to start somewhere, we recommend the following 7 books to kick things off.
Work Rules has held the top spot on my book recommendation list for a long time as it’s the right blend of real-life case study and inspiration. It’s not too technical, but you leave feeling excited to learn more about the space. Whether you're in HR and new to this people analytics space or looking for ideas about how to infuse people analytics into your existing practices, "Work Rules!" is a great introduction in how it paints the picture of what people analytics can look like at scale within an organization.
For those new to people analytics or HR, "Moneyball" offers relatable examples of how data-driven decisions can lead to surprising and effective outcomes. Its engaging narrative can even serve as a conversation starter with business leaders outside the typical HR function, demonstrating how unconventional thinking about talent practices, paired with data analysis, can lead to success. "Moneyball" is not only a gripping story but a playbook for those seeking to introduce people analytics into their organization.
With a blend of theoretical frameworks and practical case studies, the book provides a holistic view of how people analytics can drive better decision-making and foster organizational success. Ideal for HR professionals, analytics leaders, and business executives, "Excellence in People Analytics" will help set the stage for people analytics and inspire you to leverage data in innovative ways to enhance people processes.
For those entering the field of people analytics or looking to expand their HR perspective, "Sensemaking" provides a unique standpoint, emphasizing that not everything can be reduced to numbers. It encourages readers to blend analytical thinking with empathy, intuition, and cultural awareness. This approach can lead to more nuanced and effective decisions in people management. "Sensemaking" is a must-read for those who wish to infuse their analytical work with human insights and achieve a more sophisticated and holistic understanding of the people they serve.
Through witty cartoons and crystal-clear explanations, the book proves that relearning statistics as an adult doesn't have to be a daunting task. In fact, it can even be funny! A breakthrough resource for those who may struggle with traditional statistical texts, the "Cartoon Guide to Statistics" offers a welcoming entry point to the crucial world of data analysis.
This book is an ideal recommendation for those involved in recruiting or those in people analytics seeking to expand their perspective. Whether you're an HR leader or a professional looking to understand the broader landscape of data-informed HR, "Talent Intelligence" offers a comprehensive guide to leveraging data to make informed talent decisions. It's an eye-opener for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of talent in today's business world.
In this section are books that cover the full field of People Analytics. These are excellent overviews that share a range of topics from what this field is, to how to go about it, to case studies in the space. A great place to start for folk looking to learn more about how analytics is used to better understand the workforce.
Similar to the first section, this section is for books that cover a broad overview of the space, but for a more narrow vertical within the space. These are books that still touch people analytics, but specialize is sub-topics such as DEI, L&D, Workforce Planning and Talent Intelligence. Great for learners who want to go deep on a given topic or transition into people analytics from their prior field.
With the maturity of the people analytics space, we've seen a rise in textbooks covering the fundamentals of HR analytics from an anaytics technical perspective or statistical overview of the space. If you are looking to brush up on your technical knowledge or just starting down your journey with statistics and looking for an HR analytics textbook, you're in the right place.
The benefit of people analytics being a younger discipline in the analytics field is that we have many other disciplines that have gone down this path ahead of us. We can learn from analytics and statistics books across many disciplines and bring that knowledge back to people analytics. Here is a sample of books that come up frequently when speaking to people analytics leaders about their favorites from outside the field.
At the end of the day, we are people analytics, not just analytics, and with that comes a real need to understand our subject area - people! These are some of the goto books in the space and some of my favorites when it comes to engaging with the social sciences. They are hand picked for being engaging, thoughtful and educational reads.
We won't get far with people analytics if we don't have well defined inputs, outcomes, or measures within HR. Understanding how HR is measured is critical to a people analytics team success. There is a full second library worth of HR measurement books out there and this section just scratches the surface.
Last but not least, the HR technology space has its own set of fantastic resources. We won't get very far in people analytics without technology to produce data, so understanding this space is critical. Here are some standout HR technology books from the past few years.
Finished this list? Check out One Model's whitepapers and ebooks.
Also, did we miss your favorite? Recommendations are welcome! Send Richard Rosenow your recommendations and we'll add to the list.
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