Is Google Sheets Sufficient for People Analytics?

When it comes to People Analytics, organizations often think they need complex, enterprise-level software solutions to handle their data. However, Google Sheets (GSheet) can be more than enough to get started with People Analytics, particularly for smaller teams or those looking for an accessible and cost-effective tool. The key lies in how the tool is used and the ability to scale as the organization's needs grow.

The learning curve for using GSheet effectively in People Analytics is like climbing a staircase: at each step, you learn more and unlock greater capabilities. Let’s explore why Google Sheets is a suitable tool for People Analytics and how you can build your skills gradually to maximize its potential.

Why Google Sheets is Enough for People Analytics

1. Cost-Effective and Accessible
   • One of the biggest advantages of using GSheet for People Analytics is its accessibility. Google Sheets is free for anyone with a Google account, making it a cost-effective solution for startups, small businesses, or teams that are just beginning to dip their toes into People Analytics. There’s no need to invest in expensive software licenses, and the cloud-based nature of GSheet means you can collaborate easily with your team, regardless of location.
2. Ease of Use
   • GSheet has a user-friendly interface that requires little to no technical expertise. With basic knowledge of spreadsheet functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNTIF, you can already begin analyzing people data such as employee turnover, performance, or engagement metrics. The learning curve here is manageable, and you can build on your skills with each new function you learn.
3. Data Storage and Organization
   • Google Sheets allows you to store and organize HR data such as headcount, demographics, job titles, performance reviews, and training records. With its ability to store data in a structured way, it can serve as an excellent starting point for managing and analyzing people-related information. You can use simple tabulation techniques and categorization to keep your data organized, which will make it easier to track trends and patterns.
4. Powerful Formulas and Functions
   • As you become more proficient with Google Sheets, you can harness the power of its advanced formulas and functions to analyze and manipulate your data. Functions like VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, ARRAYFORMULA, and QUERY can help you extract, join, and analyze data from multiple sources, making GSheet a robust tool for more complex People Analytics tasks.
   • Pivot Tables in GSheet are another powerful feature, allowing you to summarize and analyze large datasets to uncover insights related to employee performance, retention, and other HR metrics.
5. Integration with Other Tools
   • Google Sheets integrates easily with other tools that are commonly used in People Analytics, such as Google Forms for data collection, Google Data Studio for data visualization, and various HR software tools (e.g., BambooHR, Workday) through third-party connectors or APIs. These integrations make GSheet versatile enough to pull in data from multiple sources and conduct holistic analysis without the need for advanced BI platforms.
6. Collaborative and Shareable
   • Since GSheet is cloud-based, you can easily share your people analytics dashboards or reports with stakeholders across the organization. You can control permissions, enabling HR leaders or managers to view or edit the data as needed. The collaboration features in GSheet are intuitive, so it's easy for team members to work together and contribute to analysis.

The Staircase Learning Curve: How Each Step Counts

The learning curve for GSheet in People Analytics is gradual, and each step you take allows you to unlock more functionality. Here’s how the learning process can unfold:

1. Step 1: Basic Functions
   • Start with understanding the basic functions of GSheet. Learn how to input data, format cells, and use basic formulas (SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, etc.) to perform simple analyses. This is the foundation of any people data analysis task.
2. Step 2: Sorting and Filtering
   • Once you’re comfortable with the basics, learn how to sort and filter data. This allows you to segment your people data by different variables, such as department, employee status, or performance rating, and makes it easier to spot trends.
3. Step 3: Advanced Formulas
   • Begin exploring more advanced formulas, such as VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, and QUERY. These formulas will allow you to extract and analyze more complex people data sets, especially if you need to pull data from multiple sheets or tables.
4. Step 4: Pivot Tables and Charts
   • After becoming comfortable with formulas, the next step is learning how to create pivot tables. Pivot tables allow you to summarize large datasets in a meaningful way, giving you insights into employee turnover, diversity metrics, performance reviews, and more.
   • Learn how to create charts and graphs to visualize the data and present your findings in a clear, digestible format. Visualization is a key aspect of People Analytics, as it helps stakeholders quickly grasp the insights you’re presenting.
5. Step 5: Automating Processes
   • As you gain experience, you can begin automating some of your data processes using Google Scripts. For example, you can set up automated data refreshes or generate reports based on specific criteria. Automating routine tasks can save you time and ensure consistency in your analyses.
6. Step 6: Integrations and Advanced Tools
   • The final step in the learning curve involves integrating GSheet with other tools and using more sophisticated tools like Google Data Studio for advanced reporting and visualization. You can also start pulling data from other HR systems and tools to create a more comprehensive People Analytics dashboard. At this stage, you'll have mastered using GSheet as part of a broader HR analytics ecosystem.

Conclusion

Google Sheets is indeed enough for People Analytics, especially for smaller teams or those just beginning their analytics journey. The tool’s accessibility, ease of use, and flexibility make it a powerful option for organizing, analyzing, and visualizing people data. The learning curve is manageable, and each step you take helps unlock greater capabilities, ultimately allowing you to harness the full potential of People Analytics in a straightforward, cost-effective way.

Whether you’re tracking turnover, managing performance reviews, or analyzing employee engagement, GSheet can provide the tools you need to uncover insights that drive better HR decision-making. And as your needs evolve, GSheet can scale with you, integrating with other tools and expanding its capabilities through advanced formulas, automation, and reporting.

In short, start where you are, and remember that each step on the learning curve counts. Soon enough, you’ll be able to unlock the true power of People Analytics—right from Google Sheets.