Stepwise Predictive Analysis in Machine Learning

In this tutorial, we will dive deeper into predictive analysis in machine learning to develop a step-by-step approach for predictive analysis. Before beginning the stepwise approach, let us first understand the predictive analysis.

What is Predictive Analysis?

Predictive analysis, as its name suggests, is the process of analysis of loads of data to make predictions about future events. Models for predictive analytics are created to analyze past data, identify patterns, track trends, and utilize that knowledge to forecast future trends. In this process, the analytics mechanism is accompanied by statistics, data mining techniques, and machine learning models to predict future outcomes. Businesses use this technique to prioritize and understand their potential future risks and opportunities. This enables them to make more certain and profitable decisions.

Importance of Predictive Analysis

Predictive analysis is very crucial to businesses and several other institutions. Businesses use forecasting of market trends and demands to make better decisions and design a data-driven solution to a particular problem. Predictive analysis is crucial to businesses as it helps them to make better decisions based on the forecasting based on the historical data. This also helps them to increase their profit and reduce risks by having an idea priority.

Applications of Predictive Analysis

Predictive analysis is at the core of several businesses' strategy-making and decision-making. In various fields, predictive analysis is changing the scenario very profoundly. Some of the examples are:

1. Finance

There is always a great amount of uncertainty involved with the market. Predictive analysis can play a major role in reducing financial risks and avoiding loss. As companies keep their financial records of sales, revenue, and expenses, they can use their historical financial data to predict the health of their businesses in the future. This will let them know whether they are making good financial decisions and provide insight into their management.

2. Entertainment and Hospitality

In the entertainment and hospitality sector, predictive analysis helps predict the expected crowd in the casinos and hotels at a given time. This allows the owners to make better decisions and make well-informed decisions to manage them with the required number of staff.

3. Marketing

In marketing, businesses try to attract the maximum number of customer to their product or service. They do so by creating content and making advertisements. Customers' behavioral data help them analyze them and target the right nerve. Businesses use the customer's historical behavioral data to predict future sales trends and plan their marketing campaigns accordingly.

4. Manufacturing

Predictive analysis applications are not limited to taking actions based on predictions. It can also help to avoid unwanted situations, like malfunctions. In manufacturing, the historical data of machinery is used to predict when it is most likely to malfunction. Based on this prediction, machines can be repaired on time to avoid malfunction.

5. Healthcare

Several algorithms are trained to predict the probability of a particular disease based on the historical health records of a patient.

Steps for Predictive Analysis

There are certain steps to perform predictive analysis. Here, we will discuss 10 well-defined steps to perform predictive analysis.

1. Problem Definition and Data Collection:

The first step involves defining the problem you want to solve using predictive analysis. After this, data collection takes place. In this, you have to gather relevant data from relevant sources.

2. Data Preprocessing:

Data preprocessing involves cleaning the data, managing the missing values, and ensuring data consistency by dealing with outliers.

3. Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA):

EDA is used to gain valuable insights from the data by visualizing them and identifying the underlying patterns.

4. Feature Selection/Engineering:

This step involves selecting the relevant features and designing engineering solutions for them.

5. Data Splitting:

This is a very crucial step in predictive analysis. Here, we split the whole dataset into two parts: training data and testing data. This allows for a differentiation in the data that the model is facing.

6. Model Selection and Training:

This step involves choosing a suitable machine learning algorithm and training it using the training data.

7. Hyperparameter Tuning:

In this step, we fine-tune the model's hyperparameters for optimal performance.

8. Model Evaluation:

Here, we assess the model's performance on the validation set using appropriate evaluation metrics.

9. Model Interpretation:

This step ensures that the model generalizes well to new data. Interpret model predictions to gain insights when needed.

10. Deployment and Monitoring:

Deploy the model in a production environment and monitor its performance over time.