Performance Analytics and Reporting are two distinct applications. They
address different use cases and are complementary to each other.
Note:
The Reporting application is being phased out and is no longer available for non-admin users on net new instances starting in Xanadu. However, the comparison still applies between data visualizations with table
data sources and with Performance Analytics.
The line between Reporting and analytics is not always clear. Generally speaking, reporting shows current state and analytics shows trends. Reports are more suitable for managing records and analytics focuses on managing
processes. You need both.
Performance Analytics is able to generate accurate historical trends by capturing continuous snapshots on a regular schedule. As illustrated by the following diagram, Reporting answers the question of "Where are we today," while Performance Analytics answers questions of what is happening over time.Figure 1. Common process insight questions for Reporting and for Performance Analytics
In addition to calculating trends from snapshots, Performance Analytics is able to:
Track performance against Targets.
Alert when Thresholds are met.
Forecast future performance.
Compare performance at different points in time.
Accelerate time to value with best practice metrics.
Finally, while you can develop your Reporting solutions through trial and error, Performance Analytics requires background knowledge in how the feature works. You should carefully plan your Performance Analytics solutions and test them before implementing in a production environment.
Important:
Do not try to configure Performance Analytics without training. A poorly-designed Performance Analytics solution can severely impact performance and even destabilize your instance. The initial training, Performance Analytics Essentials, is available free of charge.
