Which of the following is a major characteristic of predictive analytics?

Predictive analytics is primarily characterized by its ability to forecast future trends and outcomes based on historical data and statistical algorithms. This involves analyzing patterns in past data to create models that are then applied to make predictions about future events. By leveraging various techniques such as machine learning, regression analysis, and time-series analysis, predictive analytics provides insights that can help organizations prepare and strategize for what lies ahead.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary characteristics of predictive analytics. An exclusive focus on past data overlooks the crucial aspect of using that data to generate insights about the future. Evaluating decisions in real time aligns more with descriptive or prescriptive analytics rather than predictive analytics. Similarly, focusing solely on qualitative data ignores the quantitative aspects that are vital for making predictions, as predictive analytics often relies heavily on numerical data to establish models. Thus, the emphasis on predicting future trends and outcomes captures the essence of what predictive analytics aims to achieve.