Certificate in Visual Analytics (i2VSA) - Workshop SG 2020

The course incorporates pre-course learning and preparation followed by two-day face to face training in a highly participative workshop. The focus is on typical real life challenges in information analysis and presentation. 

Pre-course learning

Reading material - “data dump” versus information for decision making
Problems with current reporting
Identifying a report/ dashboard to re-work post course (potential project)

Face to face training

Day 1

• “Data dump” reporting versus information for decision making - recap and case study
• Visual techniques for providing focus for action, new insights into data and for measuring and comparing performance
• Common techniques and mistakes to avoid  
• Mini case studies in applying the visual techniques learnt on the course
• Dashboards - why they are useful,  level and amount of information to include (one page and drill down), structure to show the big picture and tell the stories in the data
• Case study in dashboard design - developing a board level dashboard for a multi business organisation with financial and non financial information

Day 2

• Review/ finalise and debrief on case study in dashboard design
• Creating the advanced charting techniques and building mini case study solutions in Excel
• How to successfully introduce new tools and techniques into the organisation
• How to complete the post course project and attain certification
• Share examples of past participant dashboards

Optional post course project work (required for certification)

• Create a dashboard design to replace,  or as a “front end” to, a current reporting pack
• Demonstrate understanding and application of key techniques and lessons learnt from the course
• Compare “before” and “after” approaches, explaining benefits achieved

Trainer Profile

Simon Lindley

Simon is a specialist in business and finance function transformation including Excel and enterprise based solutions for business intelligence and reporting. He has over 20 years’ experience in this area including programme managing ERP, CRM and Business Intelligence (BI) programmes, implementing shared services, process re-engineering and outsourcing solutions. Simon is a UK Chartered Accountant, MBA, a Chartered Engineer and IT Professional with a Masters level Diploma in Corporate Governance. He also has training and qualifications in Data Science and Statistics.

• Provide participants with the capability to transform their organisation’s decision making through visual analytics and dashboards
• Better position participants to adapt to the changing role of finance and the increasing importance of business and visual analytics
• Provide participants with visual analytics and dashboard skills that can significantly improve their potential in their  current role and future career.

• Finance and non-finance staff who want to present/ commission information and dashboards for analysis and decision making
• Particularly relevant to those who need to produce financial and non-financial information for board level/ senior stakeholders who have limited time and broad information requirements
• Anyone who wants to contribute to management information/ Business Intelligence (BI) / dashboard projects within their organisation (whether using specialist BI/ systems software or Excel)