What is an example of a diagnostic analytics question?

A diagnostic analytics question seeks to understand the reasons behind a particular outcome or trend. In this scenario, the question "Why did sales decline in the last quarter?" directly addresses the need to analyze past data to identify potential causes for the decline in sales. This inquiry prompts investigation into the contributing factors such as market changes, customer behavior, or operational issues.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of analytics. Questions about past sales trends or future sales projections do not delve into explanations for specific outcomes, while inquiries about actions to improve sales are more prescriptive, aiming to identify solutions rather than understanding underlying reasons. Thus, the selected question exemplifies the core focus of diagnostic analytics, which is to interpret and explain historical data to uncover insights.