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Akshay Sivadas
and
Brittany O'Dea
By the end of this course, learners are prepared to identify and test the best solutions for improving performance and integrating concepts from operational excellence methodologies for optimum data-driven decision making. The course begins with a focus on deciphering the root cause of problems through a variety of tools before determining and assessing best-fit solutions. Learners discover how to apply ISO, Lean and Six Sigma in the pursuit of aligning organizational operations data with performance standards. Hospitality, manufacturing and e-commerce case studies help illustrate how to build data literacy while ensuring privacy and data ethics measures are in place.
Read more
By the end of this course, learners are prepared to identify and test the best solutions for improving performance and integrating concepts from operational excellence methodologies for optimum data-driven decision making. The course begins with a focus on deciphering the root cause of problems through a variety of tools before determining and assessing best-fit solutions. Learners discover how to apply ISO, Lean and Six Sigma in the pursuit of aligning organizational operations data with performance standards. Hospitality, manufacturing and e-commerce case studies help illustrate how to build data literacy while ensuring privacy and data ethics measures are in place.
Read more
By the end of this course, learners are prepared to identify and test the best solutions for improving performance and integrating concepts from operational excellence methodologies for optimum data-driven decision making. The course begins with a focus on deciphering the root cause of problems through a variety of tools before determining and assessing best-fit solutions. Learners discover how to apply ISO, Lean and Six Sigma in the pursuit of aligning organizational operations data with performance standards. Hospitality, manufacturing and e-commerce case studies help illustrate how to build data literacy while ensuring privacy and data ethics measures are in place.
Material features online lectures, videos, demos, project work, readings and discussions. This course is ideal for individuals keen on developing a data-driven mindset that derives powerful insights useful for improving a company’s bottom line. It is helpful if learners have some familiarity with reading reports, gathering and using data, and interpreting visualizations. It is the third course in the Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM) specialization. To learn more about the specialization, check out a video overview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi4mmeSWcVc&list=PLQvThJe-IglyYljMrdqwfsDzk56ncfoLx&index=11.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
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What's inside
Syllabus
Applying Analytics to Implement Solutions
This module guides learners through identifying the root causes for variation, and testing possible solutions.
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Syllabus
Applying Analytics to Implement Solutions
This module guides learners through identifying the root causes for variation, and testing possible solutions.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Develops data-driven and operational excellence skills, which are essential in today's business environment
Taught by experts in the field, Akshay Sivadas and Brittany O'Dea, who have extensive experience in data-driven decision-making and operational excellence
Strong focus on data literacy, which is crucial for individuals in any industry
Emphasizes the importance of data ethics, which is essential in responsible data-driven decision-making
Includes project work, which provides hands-on experience in applying data-driven decision-making
Assumes some familiarity with data analysis and interpretation
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Reviews summary
Practical data-driven decision making for professionals
Learners say this course is a solid foundation for data-driven decision making, particularly beneficial for working professionals. Many praise its practical focus, emphasizing how it equips them with the ability to identify root causes and test solutions using frameworks like Lean and Six Sigma. The case studies are frequently highlighted as highly relevant, and the final project is seen as a valuable bridge between theory and practice. Some students found the "applied" aspect to be more conceptual than hands-on with specific tools, suggesting a need for prior familiarity with data interpretation. The course also uniquely touches on data ethics and privacy, which many find crucial.
Clear explanations of complex topics make for a good learning experience.
"I found the lectures clear, but some of the readings felt a bit dry."
"The explanations provided in the lectures were clear and easy to follow."
"The course covers significant ground without feeling rushed, thanks to well-paced modules."
Integrates important considerations for data-driven decision making.
"The emphasis on ethics and privacy was a crucial addition often overlooked."
"I appreciated the inclusion of data ethics and privacy; it shows a forward-thinking approach."
"Ensuring privacy and data ethics measures are in place adds critical value for modern businesses."
Offers valuable opportunities to apply knowledge to business problems.
"The final project was challenging but truly cemented my understanding of how to apply analytics in a business context."
"A must-take for anyone in management... Highly recommend the project work."
"Super practical! The demos showed real-world scenarios, and the project forced me to think critically."
Covers key methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, and root cause analysis.
"Solid content, especially the sections on root cause analysis. I found the lectures clear..."
"Learned a lot about Lean and Six Sigma. The case studies were engaging."
"The concepts of operational excellence were well-explained. The frameworks provided are universally applicable."
Equips learners with frameworks for real-world business challenges.
"The course brilliantly ties together data, analytics, and decision-making. The focus on decision making is spot on."
"Excellent course! The case studies were highly relevant, and I particularly valued the modules on Lean and Six Sigma applications."
"Super practical! The demos showed real-world scenarios, and the project forced me to think critically."
Some found pace rushed for certain topics, desiring more depth.
"Some parts felt a bit rushed, and I wished there were more detailed explanations for certain analytical techniques."
"It's a good introduction but you'll need to do additional self-study."
"The course is okay. Some parts felt a bit rushed..."
Requires existing comfort with data interpretation, can be conceptual.
"The course definitely requires you to already have some familiarity with data interpretation as stated in the prerequisites."
"Disappointing. The content was too high-level for me. I was hoping for more practical, step-by-step guidance on how to use specific analytical tools."
"The course is suitable if you have a strong background in data. For me, as a beginner, it was quite overwhelming."
"The theory is strong, but I struggled to see the direct application without more hands-on exercises. It felt more like a conceptual overview rather than 'applied' analytics."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Applied Analytics and Data for Decision Making with these
activities:
Review data visualization concepts
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of data visualization principles and techniques to enhance your ability to effectively communicate data-driven insights.
Browse courses on
Data Visualization
Show steps
-
Review fundamental concepts of data visualization, such as types of charts and graphs, visual encodings, and design best practices.
-
Practice creating visualizations using tools like Tableau or Power BI.
Compile resources for data-driven decision making
Show steps
Build your knowledge base by gathering and organizing resources, such as articles, books, and online courses, that provide valuable insights into data-driven decision making.
Browse courses on
Information Gathering
Show steps
-
Identify key topics related to data-driven decision making.
-
Search for and gather resources from reputable sources.
-
Organize and categorize the resources for easy access and reference.
Analyze real-world data
Show steps
Enhance your data analysis skills by working with real-world datasets, identifying patterns, and drawing meaningful conclusions.
Browse courses on
Data Analysis
Show steps
-
Obtain a dataset relevant to your field of interest.
-
Clean and process the data to prepare it for analysis.
-
Apply statistical and data mining techniques to uncover insights and derive actionable recommendations.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Participate in online discussions
Show steps
Engage in discussions with peers to exchange ideas, ask questions, and share experiences related to data-driven decision making.
Show steps
-
Actively participate in online discussions by posting thoughtful comments and questions.
-
Engage with others' posts, offering insights and perspectives.
Seek guidance from experts
Show steps
Connect with experienced professionals in the field of data-driven decision making to gain valuable insights and advice.
Browse courses on
Mentorship
Show steps
-
Identify potential mentors who have expertise in the areas you wish to develop.
-
Reach out to mentors and request their guidance.
-
Schedule regular meetings or calls to discuss your progress and seek feedback.
Develop a data-driven presentation
Show steps
Strengthen your ability to effectively communicate data-driven insights by creating a presentation that clearly and persuasively conveys your findings.
Browse courses on
Data Storytelling
Show steps
-
Identify a business problem or opportunity that can be addressed through data analysis.
-
Collect and analyze data to support your argument.
-
Design a visually engaging and informative presentation that highlights the key insights.
-
Practice your delivery to ensure clear and impactful communication.
Implement a data-driven solution
Show steps
Apply your learnings by undertaking a project that involves collecting, analyzing, and using data to improve business outcomes.
Browse courses on
Data-Driven Decision Making
Show steps
-
Define a business problem or opportunity that you want to address.
-
Develop a data-driven approach to solve the problem, including data collection, analysis, and recommendations.
-
Implement the solution and track its impact on business metrics.
-
Iterate and refine your solution based on the results and feedback.
Contribute to open-source data projects
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of data-driven decision making by contributing to open-source projects that focus on data analysis, visualization, or modeling.
Browse courses on
Open Source
Show steps
-
Identify open-source projects that align with your interests and skillset.
-
Review the documentation and familiarize yourself with the project's goals and codebase.
-
Make contributions to the project, such as fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation.
-
Interact with other contributors and learn from their experiences.
Review data visualization concepts
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of data visualization principles and techniques to enhance your ability to effectively communicate data-driven insights.
Browse courses on
Data Visualization
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review fundamental concepts of data visualization, such as types of charts and graphs, visual encodings, and design best practices.
- Practice creating visualizations using tools like Tableau or Power BI.
Compile resources for data-driven decision making
Show steps
Build your knowledge base by gathering and organizing resources, such as articles, books, and online courses, that provide valuable insights into data-driven decision making.
Browse courses on
Information Gathering
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify key topics related to data-driven decision making.
- Search for and gather resources from reputable sources.
- Organize and categorize the resources for easy access and reference.
Analyze real-world data
Show steps
Enhance your data analysis skills by working with real-world datasets, identifying patterns, and drawing meaningful conclusions.
Browse courses on
Data Analysis
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Obtain a dataset relevant to your field of interest.
- Clean and process the data to prepare it for analysis.
- Apply statistical and data mining techniques to uncover insights and derive actionable recommendations.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Participate in online discussions
Show steps
Engage in discussions with peers to exchange ideas, ask questions, and share experiences related to data-driven decision making.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Actively participate in online discussions by posting thoughtful comments and questions.
- Engage with others' posts, offering insights and perspectives.
Seek guidance from experts
Show steps
Connect with experienced professionals in the field of data-driven decision making to gain valuable insights and advice.
Browse courses on
Mentorship
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify potential mentors who have expertise in the areas you wish to develop.
- Reach out to mentors and request their guidance.
- Schedule regular meetings or calls to discuss your progress and seek feedback.
Develop a data-driven presentation
Show steps
Strengthen your ability to effectively communicate data-driven insights by creating a presentation that clearly and persuasively conveys your findings.
Browse courses on
Data Storytelling
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a business problem or opportunity that can be addressed through data analysis.
- Collect and analyze data to support your argument.
- Design a visually engaging and informative presentation that highlights the key insights.
- Practice your delivery to ensure clear and impactful communication.
Implement a data-driven solution
Show steps
Apply your learnings by undertaking a project that involves collecting, analyzing, and using data to improve business outcomes.
Browse courses on
Data-Driven Decision Making
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Define a business problem or opportunity that you want to address.
- Develop a data-driven approach to solve the problem, including data collection, analysis, and recommendations.
- Implement the solution and track its impact on business metrics.
- Iterate and refine your solution based on the results and feedback.
Contribute to open-source data projects
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of data-driven decision making by contributing to open-source projects that focus on data analysis, visualization, or modeling.
Browse courses on
Open Source
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify open-source projects that align with your interests and skillset.
- Review the documentation and familiarize yourself with the project's goals and codebase.
- Make contributions to the project, such as fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation.
- Interact with other contributors and learn from their experiences.
Career center
Learners who complete Applied Analytics and Data for Decision Making will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Data Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Analysts understand how to gather, clean, and interpret data. They help businesses make better decisions by providing them with insights into their data. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Data Analyst, including how to identify the root causes of problems, test possible solutions, and align an organization’s operations data to its performance standards. It can also help you build a foundation in data-driven decision making.
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
Business Analysts help businesses improve their performance by analyzing their operations and identifying areas for improvement. They use data to identify trends and patterns, and they develop recommendations for how to improve the business. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Business Analyst, including how to apply ISO, Lean, and Six Sigma in the pursuit of aligning organizational operations data with performance standards. It can also help you build a foundation in data-driven decision making.
Management Consultant
Management Consultant
Management Consultants help businesses solve problems and achieve their goals. They use their expertise in business and data analysis to identify opportunities for improvement and develop recommendations for how to implement change. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Management Consultant, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems. It can also help you build a foundation in operational excellence.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve problems in business and industry. They help businesses optimize their operations, improve their efficiency, and reduce their costs. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become an Operations Research Analyst, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems. It can also help you build a foundation in operational excellence.
Data Scientist
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use their expertise in data analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to solve business problems. They help businesses make better decisions by providing them with insights into their data. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Data Scientist, including how to identify the root causes of problems, test possible solutions, and align an organization’s operations data to its performance standards. It can also help you build a foundation in data-driven decision making.
Statistician
Statistician
Statisticians use their expertise in data analysis and probability to solve problems in business and industry. They help businesses understand their data, make better decisions, and improve their operations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Statistician, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems. It can also help you build a foundation in operational excellence.
Market Researcher
Market Researcher
Market Researchers use their expertise in data analysis and research to understand consumer behavior and trends. They help businesses develop and market their products and services. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Market Researcher, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems. It can also help you build a foundation in operational excellence.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use their expertise in data analysis and finance to evaluate investments and make recommendations to clients. They help businesses make better decisions about where to invest their money. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Financial Analyst, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems. It can also help you build a foundation in operational excellence.
Actuary
Actuary
Actuaries use their expertise in mathematics, statistics, and finance to assess risk and uncertainty. They help businesses make better decisions about how to manage their risks. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become an Actuary, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems. It can also help you build a foundation in operational excellence.
Auditor
Auditor
Auditors use their expertise in accounting and auditing to examine financial records and ensure that they are accurate and compliant with regulations. They help businesses improve their financial reporting and internal controls. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become an Auditor, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems. It can also help you build a foundation in operational excellence.
Budget Analyst
Budget Analyst
Budget Analysts use their expertise in finance and budgeting to develop and manage budgets for businesses and organizations. They help businesses plan for the future and make better decisions about how to allocate their resources. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Budget Analyst, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems. It can also help you build a foundation in operational excellence.
Cost Accountant
Cost Accountant
Cost Accountants use their expertise in accounting and finance to track and analyze costs for businesses and organizations. They help businesses understand their costs and make better decisions about how to manage their expenses. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Cost Accountant, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems. It can also help you build a foundation in operational excellence.
Forensic Accountant
Forensic Accountant
Forensic Accountants use their expertise in accounting and auditing to investigate financial fraud and other crimes. They help businesses protect their assets and ensure that they are compliant with the law. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Forensic Accountant, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems.
Tax Accountant
Tax Accountant
Tax Accountants use their expertise in accounting and taxation to help businesses and individuals comply with tax laws. They help businesses minimize their tax liability and ensure that they are compliant with the law. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Tax Accountant, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems.
Risk Manager
Risk Manager
Risk Managers use their expertise in risk management to help businesses identify, assess, and mitigate risks. They help businesses protect their assets and ensure that they are compliant with regulations. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Risk Manager, including how to apply data-driven decision making to solve business problems. It can also help you build a foundation in operational excellence.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/378x0z/applied
Reading list
We've selected nine books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Applied Analytics and Data for Decision Making.
Must-have resource to learn more about implementing a quality management system.
Is written by leading authorities on Reinforcement Learning, and is perfect for those who want to learn more about this topic.
Save
Is an academic reference that covers fundamental concepts and techniques in data mining.
Save
Offers practical guidance on how to present data effectively, using a variety of data visualization techniques.
Describes the principles of Lean Startup, a methodology for developing and launching successful products and services.
Provides a comprehensive guide to data warehousing and dimensional modeling, which are techniques for organizing and storing data to support data analytics.
Offers an introduction to data science, with a focus on the use of data analytics to solve business problems.
Offers a comprehensive introduction to statistics, with a focus on applications in business and economics.
Provides an introduction to data engineering, which is the process of designing and building data systems to support data analytics.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/378x0z/applied
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Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institutions
The State University of New York
University at Buffalo
Instructors
Akshay Sivadas
Brittany O'Dea
Language
English
Transcripts
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This course belongs to a
collection
called
Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM). It's comprised of three courses:
- Data Analysis and Visualization
- Data-Driven Process Improvement
- Applied Analytics and Data for Decision Making (viewing)
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