Communicating Business Analytics Results from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to the Course

In this module we’ll briefly review the Information-Action Value Chain we introduced in Course 1. Then we’ll see how analytical techniques are applied in business problems, first by looking at some “classic” business problems that have been around for a long time, then by looking at some “emergent” business problems that have resulted from more recent advances in technology.

Best Practices in Data Visualization

In this module we’ll learn about a variety of visualizations used to illustrate and communicate data. We will start with the different vehicles used to present quantitative information. We will then look at a set of examples of data visualizations and discuss what makes them effective or ineffective. Finally, we discuss Excel charts and why most of them should be avoided. After completing this module, you will be able to better understand the characteristics of good data visualization and avoid common mistakes when creating your own graphs.

Interpreting, Telling, and Selling

In this module we’ll cover a number of topics around interpreting data, gathering additional data, and pitching our recommendations based on our analysis. First, we’ll discuss ways in which we misinterpret or misrepresent data and how to avoid them, such as mistaking correlation with causation, allowing cognitive biases to influence how we see data, and visualizing data in misleading ways. We’ll also learn how experimentation can help us obtain more data, including compromises we may need to make in measurement. Finally, we’ll discuss how we communicate our results and recommendations, with a focus on knowing our audience, telling compelling stories, and creating clear and effective communication materials.

Acting on Data

In our final module we’ll walk through two case studies and illustrate the ideas we’ve covered in the course and in the specialization as a whole. The first case shows how experimentation can be used to create data, sometimes with surprising results. The second case presents a comprehensive analysis that illustrates the entire analytic lifecycle, and shows how different methods and both quantitative and qualitative analysis can be brought together to solve one strategically important analytical problem.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores communication of analytical results to decision makers who may not understand the technical details

Covers best practices in principles of data visualization to enhance communication

Provides guidance on interpreting data, gathering additional data, and pitching recommendations based on analysis

Illustrates the entire analytic lifecycle through case studies

Reviews summary

Effective comms for buisness analytics

Learners say this course is a well-received course that clarifies business analytics through the use of examples and case studies.

Examples and case based learning

"Case based learning and examples explaing use of analaytics clarifed the course a lot."

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 Communicating Business Analytics Results with these activities:

Brush Up On Statistics

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Refreshing your knowledge of statistics will help you understand the concepts of data visualization and analytics more easily.

Browse courses on Statistics

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Review your notes from a previous statistics course.
Read a statistics textbook or online tutorial.
Take a practice quiz or exam.

Learn About Data Visualization Techniques

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Learning about data visualization techniques will allow you to effectively communicate your findings to non-technical audiences.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Follow a tutorial on creating charts and graphs in Excel or another software program.
Find examples of effective data visualizations online and analyze their strengths and weaknesses.

Join a Study Group

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Joining a study group will give you the opportunity to discuss the course material with other students and get help from your peers.

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Find a study group that meets at a time that works for you.
Attend study group meetings regularly.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.

Five other activities

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Create a Data Visualization Resource List

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Creating a data visualization resource list will help you keep track of the tools and resources that you learn about in the course.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Create a document or spreadsheet to store your resources.
Add resources to your list as you learn about them.
Organize your resources into categories.

Take Practice Quizzes

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Taking practice quizzes will help you test your understanding of the course material and identify areas where you need to improve.

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Complete the practice quizzes that are provided with the course material.
Review your answers and identify any areas where you need additional support.

Create a Data Visualization Project

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Creating a data visualization project will help you practice the skills you learn in the course and apply them to a real-world problem.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Choose a dataset that you are interested in.
Clean and prepare the data.
Create charts and graphs to visualize the data.
Write a report that interprets the results of your analysis.

Attend an Industry Meetup

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Attending an industry meetup will allow you to meet professionals who work in the field of data analytics and learn about the latest trends.

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Find an industry meetup that is relevant to your interests.
Attend the meetup and introduce yourself to other attendees.
Ask questions about the industry and learn about the career paths of other professionals.

Contribute to an Open-Source Data Visualization Project

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Contributing to an open-source data visualization project will give you hands-on experience with real-world data visualization projects.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Find an open-source data visualization project that you are interested in.
Read the project documentation and learn about the project's goals.
Identify an area where you can contribute to the project.
Submit a pull request with your contributions.

Career center

Learners who complete Communicating Business Analytics Results will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and statistical techniques to improve the efficiency of business processes. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your recommendations will be implemented and have a positive impact on the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analysts collect and analyze data to understand consumer behavior and market trends. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your insights will be used to make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your insights will be used to make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Data Analyst

Data Analysts use data to identify trends, patterns, and insights that can help businesses make informed decisions. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your insights will be used to make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Web Analyst

Web Analysts use data to understand how users interact with websites and online marketing campaigns. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your insights will be used to improve the website and online marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Analyst

Sales Analyst

Sales Analysts use data to understand sales trends and identify opportunities for growth. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your insights will be used to make better sales decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Analyst

Risk Analyst

Risk Analysts identify and assess risks that businesses face. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your recommendations will be implemented and help the business to avoid or mitigate risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to extract insights from data. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to communicate your findings to non-technical audiences. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your insights will be used to make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use mathematical and statistical techniques to analyze financial data. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your insights will be used to make better investment decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings to decision makers in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your recommendations will be implemented and have a positive impact on the product's success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts leverage data to solve problems, improve efficiency, and drive change. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings to decision makers who may not understand the technical details of analytics. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your recommendations will be implemented and have a positive impact on the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Management Consultant

Management Consultants advise businesses on how to improve their performance. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings to decision makers in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your recommendations will be implemented and have a positive impact on the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation that explains complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your documentation will be easy to understand and helpful to users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

User Experience (UX) Researcher

UX Researchers study how users interact with products and services. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your insights will be used to improve the user experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience (UX) Researcher

Strategy Consultant

Strategy Consultants advise businesses on how to develop and implement strategies for growth and success. The Communicating Business Analytics Results course from University of Colorado Boulder may be useful as it teaches you how to present analytical findings in a clear and concise manner. By learning how to effectively communicate your results, you can increase the likelihood that your recommendations will be implemented and have a positive impact on the business.

See salaries and explore the career path for Strategy Consultant