How to Use Data Visualization to Make Better Decisions—Faster
51mBeginner2021-06-17
Authors
Steve Wexler
Founder and Principal at Data Revelations
Course details
Most organizations are drowning in data but are thirsty for understanding. An abundance of information doesn’t do you any good if you’re not able to understand it or communicate its significance. If you’re among the 99% of business professionals who don’t create data visualizations for a living, join Steve Wexler in this course as he takes you through the basics of data visualizations so that you and your organization can have informed, intelligent discussions about data. He covers topics like how data visualization can help communicate and persuade, the best ways to utilize color in charts, how the right visualization can reduce the time to insight, and the pros and cons of various types of charts. As Steve makes clear, knowing how to decipher, understand, and see the value of charts and dashboards will give you a graphic literacy that will help you thrive in today’s data-rich world.
Skills covered
Decision-MakingData VisualizationBusiness AnalyticsFoundationsData ScienceProfessional DevelopmentBusiness Analysis and StrategyLeadership and ManagementBusiness Software and Tools
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Data visualization can drive change
1. Seeing the Big Picture Fast
- 02 - How data visualization can reveal key insights
- 03 - How data visualization can help with communication
- 04 - How data visualization can influence change
2. Why Numbers Are Not Enough
- 05 - Spreadsheet vs. timeline
- 06 - Color plus numbers amazing data visualization
- 07 - Marginal histograms
3. Why Do We See So Many Bar Charts
- 08 - Preattentive attributes
- 09 - Bar charts vs. packed bubbles
- 10 - Understanding why a common and accurate baseline is so important
4. Color Dos and Don'ts
- 11 - The five ways in which color is used in data visualization
- 12 - Where people mess up color in data visualization
- 13 - Examples of good use of color in charts
- 14 - Why you should avoid traffic light colors in your charts
5. Chart Types You Should Know and Love (and Sometimes Loathe)
- 15 - How to create aesthetically pleasing bar charts
- 16 - Show progress with bar charts and reference lines
- 17 - How do you compare this year with last year (and maybe a few more years)
- 18 - Scatterplots can effectively show relationships
- 19 - How summary statistics can hide what's important
- 20 - Why stacked bar charts and area charts can be problematic
- 21 - Timelines and other ways to visualize time
- 22 - Pie charts and the problems with them
- 23 - Donut charts and the problems with them
- 24 - Your turn How would you visualize this data set
- 25 - Keep an open mind
Conclusion
- 26 - Where do you go from here