Data Skills & Capabilities for Non Specialists
Build the skills & the confidence to use data to drive decision making
Today’s ever-growing volumes of data and the easy access to tools to make sense of that data is driving organisations, both public and private, to use data to answer questions and support decision making.
Using data to support decisions helps organisations move from a “I think the answer is…” mindset based on intuition to a “I know the answer is…” mindset based on facts. However, simply having access to the data and the tools is not enough to promote data-driven decision making. The people answering the questions and making the decision must have the ability to define questions in the terms of data and then locate, interpret and analyse the data to come to an answer.
In this interactive workshop you will learn the language of data and how to apply a simple, structured process that will show you how to ask the right question, obtains the most relevant data, make sense of the data, come to conclusions supported by the data and present the results to stakeholders in a way that is easy for them to comprehend and act on.
Steve Remington
Principal Consultant, Founder, Minerra
Steve Remington is Principal Consultant and Founder of Minerra. Steve is a consultant, architect, advisor and trainer with more than 25 years of expertise in analytics, business intelligence, data warehouse and decision support projects. His background includes seven years of academic research and teaching at Melbourne Business School, Monash University and Latrobe University.
Steve Remington
Steve Remington is Principal Consultant and Founder of Minerra. Steve is a consultant, architect, advisor and trainer with more than 25 years of expertise in analytics, business intelligence, data warehouse and decision support projects. His background includes seven years of academic research and teaching at Melbourne Business School, Monash University and Latrobe University.
Steve has worked on analytics projects in a range of industries and countries. Notable projects include analytics to optimise oil extraction at the world’s two largest olive groves, workforce tracking and prediction for one of the world’s largest gas infrastructure projects, and an agency-wide recruitment analytics system for a large US government agency.
Steve holds a Masters of Business Information Systems (Honours) with first-class honours and dux of his graduating year from Monash University, a Graduate Diploma of Total Quality Management and a Bachelor of Business from the University of Newcastle. He has published peer-reviewed papers on the use of analytics in organisations to support decision making.
Steve also volunteers his time as the global Director of Curriculum for She Loves Data, a social enterprise that inspires women to become active contributors to an increasingly data driven world.
Key benefits
An understanding of key terms related to making decisions with data
Knowledge of how people make decisions using data
Practical experience with a simple, structured process you can follow to make decisions using data
Knowledge of key data & analysis concepts
The ability to have an informed conversation with data professionals in your organisation
Agenda
All times are shown in AEST
MODULE 1 – UNDERSTANDING DATA & DECISION MAKING
Welcome & Workshop Overview
Understanding Data
- Understand common data terms
- How people making decisions with data
- What are decision biases and how to minimise them
Break
“The Decision Making Process”
- Decision-making biases
- How to control decision-making biases
- Introduction to the Data-Driven Decision-Making Workflow
Asking the Right Question
- How to define a question that can be answered with data
- What is a relevant question?
- What is an unambiguous question?
- What is a worthwhile question?
Break
Workshop Activity
- Work with a small group to define the data-driven question related to your function
- Receive feedback from the group on the question
Close of Module 1
MODULE 2 – USING DATA TO SOLVE QUESTIONS
Reflection on Module 1
Acquire Suitable Data
- Introduction to data terms
- Data Sources and Formats
- Clean and Integrate Data
- Evaluate Data Quality
- How to avoid biased data
Identify the potential data sources for the data-driven question related to your function
Break
Analyse the Data
- Make sense of the data using exploratory data analysis
- Choose the right type of analysis for your question
- Key descriptive statistics concepts
- Correlation versus Causation
Identify the potential types of analysis for the data-driven question related to your function
Break
Act on the Analysis to Answer the Question
- Interpret the and determine the answer to the question
- Prepare the results with data visualisation
- Communicate the answer with data storytelling
- Make and implement the decision
Identify how you might communicate the answer the data-driven question related to your function
Break
Introduction to the Data-Driven Decision-Making Canvas
Breakout Activity
Fill-in a draft data-driven decision-making canvas for the question related to your function.
Q&A & Workshop Reflection
Close of Module 2
Why attend
- The support and guidance of a data visualisation expert– Ask your questions and work through challenges
- Highly rated: Paul has received an average customer satisfaction of 98% for his content and presentation
- Practical: Featuring a live and interactive tutorial demo
- Connect: Make new connections with like-minded professionals
Who will attend?
Federal, state and local government representatives. This workshop is ideal for anyone with a role or responsibility for representing or communicating insights or concepts using data and want to improve their data storytelling capabilities. The workshop is well suited to those with roles and responsibilities for:
- Business, Statistical & Intelligence Analysis
- Data & Analytics
- Research & Reporting
- Performance & Strategy
This workshop is designed as an introduction. A basic understanding of how to use Excel would be an advantage but is not necessary.
Exceptional Course. Paul’s enthusiasm for the subject engaged me completely. Highly recommended.”
A/g Workforce Reporting and Data Analyst
Department of Parliamentary Services
Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable presenter who kept attendees engaged and offered his spare time to cover material. Great conceptual concepts that are a good overview or refresher on data storytelling.”
Data Analyst
Department of Defence
The Workshop class was very interactive. Perfect for people with limited and/or no experience in data visualisation. I learned a lot in the last three days and would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking forward to broadening their skill sets.”
Executive Assistant
Knowmore Legal Service
A really engaging way to learn the principles behind building and visualising data-driven narratives. A great balance of technical skill building and design theory.”
Principal Policy Officer
Queensland Department of Education
Great session that suits whether you’re new to data or an experienced analyst. Paul’s knowledge and passion for creating engaging data stories is really clear. Can’t wait to dazzle my colleagues and management team with my newfound skills!”
Assistant Director - Business Integrity Learning
Services Australia
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