This course introduces dashboard and data visualization technologies with a hands-on approach. Dashboard is a presentation of key performance indicators (KPIs) important to an enterprise. Database and data analytics professionals often build, use, and support dashboards. Data visualization is the application of data science to extract intelligence from data sources, often in a graphical format.
The course introduces the characteristics of dashboards and the principles of data visualization. It also covers how to select KPIs, identify dashboard content requirements, design and implement dashboards and scorecards, and apply data visualization techniques. In addition, you will learn how to identify and select the software tools used to create dashboards and their visual content, as well as common mistakes, tips, and best practices relevant to dashboards and data visualization.
You will learn how to choose data sources, extract required data, perform data analysis using an example tool, and visually present the results on a dashboard using tables, charts and maps. As a course project, you will identify and specify dashboard requirements (including selecting the appropriate KPIs), design the dashboard views, reports, layout and navigation, as well as create the dashboard and the data visualizations to be incorporated in it. You will learn new visualization techniques like ‘word cloud’, ‘Sankey Charts’,’Tooltip visualization’, and about the HYPER data format that enhances performance. In addition to these, you will also learn the newer features of the Tableau software. Your grade will be based on the project, in-class participation, a midterm and a final exam.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, you should be able to
- Describe the core aspects of Dashboards and Visualization
- Discuss the difference between Dashboards and Data Visualization
- Explain the importance of Key Performance Indicators
- Identify the use cases and demonstrate with examples
Topics Include
- Key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Understanding dashboards and scorecards
- Data visualization principles
- Advanced data visualization techniques
- Dashboard planning, design and implementation
- Best practices, common mistakes and tips
- Identifying and selecting dashboard tools and vendors
Course Note: The Tableau software is available to students for learning purposes only for approximately three months. Students are required to install software on own computers (Windows Vista or newer or Mac OSX 10.8.1 or newer) and are encouraged to bring laptops to class. Also note that this is not a specific tool usage training course. Tableau is introduced as an example tool for data visualization.
Skills Needed: Knowledge of database concepts and any business experience related to decision-making.
FAQs
The foundation of data visualization is built upon four pillars: distribution, relationship, comparison, and composition.
What is the purpose of using a dashboard for data visualization? ›
The main purpose of a dashboard visualization tool is to transform data into useful information. This information is displayed using a visual element such as a chart or graph.
What is data visualization in business intelligence? ›
Data visualization is part of many business-intelligence tools and key to advanced analytics. It helps people make sense of all the information, or data, generated today. With data visualization, information is represented in graphical form, as a pie chart, graph, or another type of visual presentation.
What are the challenges to big data visualization? ›
Challenge: One of the next challenges of big data visualization is data encoding, which is the process of converting data from one form to another for the purpose of secure transmission, storage, or processing. Selecting the appropriate visual elements for data encoding, such as color, size, or position, can be tricky.
What are the 3 C's of visualization? ›
Clarity, consistency, and context.
I think if you can provide these 3 things to your dashboard, you're 95% on your way to a great story with data. This doesn't mean to say these are the only things to worry about - far from it - but, it's a good starting point especially for those new to the BI space.
What are the 5 C's of data visualization? ›
Data for business can come from many sources and be stored in a variety of ways. However, there are five characteristics of data that will apply across all of your data: clean, consistent, conformed, current, and comprehensive. The five Cs of data apply to all forms of data, big or small.
What is the difference between data visualization and dashboard? ›
To recap, Data Visualization is the process of presenting information in a visual form. Its purpose is to promote quick and easy understanding of the information. A Dashboard is a snapshot, or summary, of a large set of information. Data Visualization and a Dashboard are often used together.
What data visualization tool is best for dashboards? ›
The Best Data Visualization Software of 2024
- Microsoft Power BI: Best for business intelligence (BI)
- Tableau: Best for interactive charts.
- Qlik Sense: Best for artificial intelligence (AI)
- Klipfolio: Best for custom dashboards.
- Looker: Best for visualization options.
- Zoho Analytics: Best for Zoho users.
In conclusion, the four steps for effective visualization outlined in “Creative Visualization” by Shakti Gawain offer a roadmap to unlock the full potential of your mind. Set your goals, create clear mental images, focus in a meditative state, and infuse positive energy into your visualizations.
What are the 4 aspects of data analytics? ›
But it's not just access to data that helps you make smarter decisions, it's the way you analyze it. That's why it's important to understand the four levels of analytics: descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive.
