Which type of analytics classification uses experimental design and optimization to suggest a course of action?

Descriptive analytics is concerned with summarizing historical data to understand trends and patterns. It provides insights into what has happened in the past but does not offer recommendations for future actions. As such, it lacks the experimental design and optimization components that define prescriptive analytics.

Diagnostic analytics aims to explain why certain events occurred by analyzing past data. It identifies relationships and causal factors but does not suggest specific courses of action. Unlike prescriptive analytics, it does not utilize experimental design or optimization techniques to inform decision-making processes.

Predictive analytics uses statistical models and machine learning techniques to forecast future outcomes based on historical data. While it provides insights into potential future scenarios, it does not actively recommend actions or optimize decisions, which is the primary function of prescriptive analytics.