Data Analytics for Business: Empowering Decision-Making through Data Analytics and Storytelling

This course will give the participants exposure to the data analytics practices executed in the business world, including communicating and presenting findings and results to decision makers.

We will explore such key areas as understanding the data and preparing data for analysis, understanding the information and action value chain including the types of data analytics, its hierarchy and tools used i.e. Descriptive, Predictive and Prescriptive data analytics. What you will learn in this course will give you a strong foundation in all the areas that support analytics and will help you to better position yourself for success within your organization. You will be able to choose the right tools to present quantitative information in a way that you can connect with your audience, including those based on principles of data visualization and will learn how to communicate analytics results effectively. You will also learn how to create and deliver data analytics stories that provide context, insight, and interpretation.

Training and Workshop Outline

Module 1: Data Information and Action Value Chain

• Data and Analysis in the Real World
• Three types of Data Analytics (Descriptive, Predictive and Prescriptive)
• Information-Action Value Chain framework

Module 2: Data Preprocessing and Clean up (Understand the data and prepare your data for analysis)

• Data Clean up and Transformation
• Dealing with Missing Values and Outliers

Module 3: Common Graphs

• Ways to chart categorical data – Bar graphs , Pie charts, Pareto
• Ways to chart quantitative data – Histograms, Boxplots, Time plots and Control Charts
• Examining relationships between a pair of quantitative variables - Scatter plot, Correlation and Regression

Module 4: What is a good Data Visualization

• Principles of Graphical Design (Lessons from Edward Tufte and Stephen Few)
• Channels to present quantitative information (Texts, Tables, Graphs)
• Techniques to Display Multiple Variables
• Graphical Excellence examples

Module 5: Case Study with Descriptive Data Analytics

• Tool and Techniques
• Application through simulation

Module 6: Case Study with Descriptive and Predictive Data Analytics

• Tool and Techniques
• Application through simulation

Module 7: Case Study with Descriptive, Predictive and Prescriptive Data Analytics

• Tool and Techniques
• Application through simulation

Module 8: Communicating Data Analytics results

• Effective communication, it starts with knowing your audience.
• General principles of effective data storytelling (Interpreting, Telling, and Selling)

Additional Resources: To complement the training program, participants will receive a comprehensive training emanual, reference materials, and access to online resources for further learning.

Certification: Participants who successfully complete the training will be awarded a certificate of completion.