Analytical activity is one of the areas of human thinking, the purpose of which is the semantic processing of information to develop qualitatively new knowledge and prepare the basis for making optimal management decisions. It is used in almost all areas, and the ability to work with data is the key to professionalism. Studies show that data collection in information and analytical activities takes up to 95% of the total amount of work. But the greatest difficulty is precisely the analytical stage, when it is necessary to develop a conclusion. This is due to both psychological and intellectual difficulties.
General concept
Analytical activity is the most important component of managerial work in institutions of any type. It is a study that is carried out to solve certain problems. The implementation of the analysis allows you to timely identify and evaluate the contradictions, as well as determine the most rational ways to solve them. Scientificsound management is based on management decisions made on the basis of the results of analytical activities.
In theory, there are several basic concepts:
- phenomenon (essence);
- structure (main functional areas);
- subject field (object and subject, information field);
- methodology and tools.
Since analysis cannot be done without pre-collected data, most researchers consider information and analytical activities as a whole. It is based on the philosophical provisions of the principle of consistency:
- in the world around us, objectively, there are phenomena that can be classified, included in a certain system;
- even in an unsystematic, at first glance, phenomenon, one can still find the properties of integrity and unity;
- each of the phenomena strives to achieve the system state.
Features
The concept of "analysis" is considered in 2 aspects. The first is the division of the subject of thinking into parts, the study of which allows you to get a general idea of the whole object. The second is the systematization procedure, which is identified with research. Analytics is a set of organizational and technological support methods for processing data and acquiring new knowledge.
The process of analytical activity is ultimately aimed at solving practical problems. It is also predictive in nature, allowing you to get ahead of some phenomena and determine the future state of the object.research. From the point of view of the structural approach, organizational and analytical activities can be divided into 2 classes of subjects: by the field of research (state, legal, social, entrepreneurial, educational, cultural, economic, and others) and the level of organization (from think tanks and institutions to heads of small enterprises). The final product of the work is various types of assessments, forecasts, recommendations, projects and other forms of reports.
Functions
Analytical activity is research, the main functions of which are:
- Informational - obtaining data, identifying their volume and content, primary processing (classification, structuring).
- Diagnostic - determining the characteristics of the object of analysis, establishing cause-and-effect relationships.
- Evaluative - the formation of a system of indicators.
- Recommendatory - developing new information to solve major problems.
- Planning and forecasting - current and long-term planning.
- Correctional - making improvements to the management process.
- Organizational - the distribution of powers between people, their clear definition.
- Control and diagnostic - public and administrative control.
- Archival - preservation of information and end products of analysis.
Tasks
The tasks of analytical activity implement the above functions. Within the enterprise, these include the followingEvents:
- formation of a set of data (information fund);
- determining the areas of activity of the analytical service and developing scorecards for each of them;
- information support for enterprise structures;
- development of recommendations and forecasts based on the analytical work carried out.
Classification
The following types of analytical activities are distinguished:
- by the nature of scientific work: fundamental and applied;
- by functional division: tactical, strategic, operational;
- according to the type of object to which mental activity is directed: macro- and microeconomic, managerial, socio-political, environmental, pedagogical, mental;
- according to the type of scientific discipline on the basis of which the analysis is carried out: philosophical, economic, axiological (system-value), political science, prognostic, historical, psychological, cultural, ethical and aesthetic;
- by the nature of the main method: systemic, statistical, logical, problematic, causal, situational;
- according to the level of analysis: primary and secondary (rethinking the results obtained earlier);
- by the nature of the research period: retrospective (analysis of past problems), current and prognostic.
Classification by time interval can also be of a different nature: current analysis for the control period, studies forreporting and long-term period (from one year to several years). Thus, modern analytics is a complex activity, each type of which is characterized by its own specifics.
The following types of analytical activities are most often carried out within enterprises:
- economic;
- economic;
- financial;
- relevant;
- promising.
Organization
The effectiveness of research depends on following the basics of analytical activity:
- The scientific nature of the work. If the research is carried out in the economic sphere, then the laws of market development must be taken into account. The analysis uses the latest achievements of science and technology, as well as special techniques.
- Systematic and integrated approach, taking into account the comprehensive coverage of the problem and the participation of all departments of the enterprise.
- Objectivity both in the collection of information and in its processing, drawing conclusions, recommendations. Use of reliable data sources. Confirmation of results by analytical calculations.
- Efficiency and relevance. Getting results in the shortest time possible for timely decision making by management personnel.
- Work planning, distribution of duties and powers among performers. The systematic nature of the research. Standardization and regulation of analytical activities.
- Economy. Striving for minimum costs and maximum efficiency.
Organization of analytical activities can be carried out in various forms. At large enterprises, an analytical department or group is usually formed as part of the economic service. In small organizations, this work is led by the head of the planning department or the chief accountant.
According to the degree of openness, the analysis can be public or closed. The study can be carried out by persons without special knowledge and training. Professional analytical activities are carried out by specialists who are fluent in the methods of analysis and are engaged in research in a certain field of activity (business analyst, system and investment analyst and other specializations).
Control functions
Control and analytical activities and expertise are carried out in order to check for compliance with legislative, regulatory legal acts, technical regulations, orders and instructions, as well as to study the consequences of adopted and implemented management decisions. Such work is carried out by the head of the organization or other specialists authorized by his order.
Control is carried out in the form:
- Financial audit. Its goals are to verify documentary evidence of all financial transactions, compliance with reporting, targeted use of resources.
- Performance audit. Conducted to evaluate the use of resources to achieve a specific goal.
- Strategic management audit. It is used to analyze the implementation of the strategic goals of the enterprise.
Toolkit
The following methods are used as techniques and tools for design and analytical activities:
- Diagnosis.
- Planning.
- Organization and structuring.
- Verification.
- Logico-linguistic analysis.
- Simulation.
- Analysis and synthesis.
- Decomposition of a complex object into simpler components.
- Factor analysis.
- Summary.
- Statistical analysis.
- Unification.
- Comparative analysis.
- Simulation.
- Abstraction and concretization.
- System analysis.
- Assessing the long-term prospects of science.
- Graphic analysis and others.
Steps
When conducting analytical activities at the enterprise, the following main stages are distinguished:
- Setting goals. Identification of indicators to be analyzed and entities responsible for collecting and processing information.
- Drafting a work plan.
- Formation of information and methodological support.
- Organization of data, identification of the most important factors.
- Filing results.
First stage
Target analysis begins with the definition of the most significant, global goal. Subsequently, it is divided into subgoals to simplify the work. Sometimes a system analysis of a complex phenomenon requires the construction of a "problem tree",in which all tasks and goals are reflected. This procedure is necessary to build a clear logical structure.
The distribution of responsibilities between the divisions of the enterprise and the main functions of its employees are the main goal. Thus, the planning and analytical department may be entrusted with the development of a work plan, methods for its implementation, summarizing the results and compiling a report; department of the chief technologist - analysis of the level of productivity; to the department of the chief mechanic - providing information on the condition of the equipment.
Schedule
The second stage of analytical work includes information on the phased deadlines, reporting and control forms, responsible and executors. It is compiled taking into account the complexity of the work, the workload of employees and the way data is transferred from one structure to another.
There are 2 main types of plan:
- Complex. Usually it is developed for 1 year. It indicates the objects of analysis, goals, necessary indicators, distribution of responsibilities, data sources and other key issues.
- Thematic. It is being developed for in-depth exploration of global issues.
Information support
At the third stage of analytical activity, the types of documents used to collect information are determined. As such sources can serve:
- technological documentation;
- contracts;
- normative materials;
- plans, estimates and tasks;
- accounting data and other types of documents.
Processing information cancarried out using automated systems based on sampling by keywords and phrases.
Final steps
After the data is collected, it is processed first. It consists in determining the soundness and completeness of the data obtained, forming them into tables or other comparable form, in the analysis to identify the most important factors and the evaluation of alternatives and reserves.
After finalizing the existing problems and clarifying the issues, these actions are carried out again. Recommendations are being developed and a conclusion is being drawn up.
Public Administration
In public administration, analytical activity is a combination of the following processes:
- Analysis of the required state of the managed object, definition of work tasks.
- Data collection taking into account the changing parameters of the control object and external influences.
- Research and evaluation of the received material, revealing the essence of phenomena.
- Creation of an analytical model taking into account the subject area, the environment in which the object under study operates; checking the accuracy of the model, its adjustment.
- Performing experiments based on the selected model.
- Interpretation of results.
- Transmission of final data to a person or state structure that makes a management decision.
