Ad hoc analysis is a business intelligence process designed
to answer a single, specific business question. The product of ad hoc
analysis is typically a statistical model, analytic report, or other type of
data summary.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, ad hoc means
"for the particular case at hand without consideration of
wider application." The
purpose of an ad hoc analysis is to fill in gaps left by the business' static,
regular reporting.
Ad hoc analysis may be used to create a report that does not
already exist, or drill deeper into a static report to get details about
accounts, transactions, or records. The process may be also used to get more
current data for the existing areas covered by a static report.
