This course is part of the Executive Data Science Specialization

4.5
stars
3,199 ratings

Jeff Leek, PhD +2 more instructors

42,438 already enrolled

Offered By

Executive Data Science SpecializationJohns Hopkins University

About this Course

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Data science is a team sport. As a data science executive it is your job to recruit, organize, and manage the team to success. In this one-week course, we will cover how you can find the right people to fill out your data science team, how to organize them to give them the best chance to feel empowered and successful, and how to manage your team as it grows. 
This is a focused course designed to rapidly get you up to speed on the process of building and managing a data science team. Our goal was to make this as convenient as possible for you without sacrificing any essential content. We've left the technical information aside so that you can focus on managing your team and moving it forward.

After completing this course you will know.

1. The different roles in the data science team including data scientist and data engineer
2. How the data science team relates to other teams in an organization
3. What are the expected qualifications of different data science team members
4. Relevant questions for interviewing data scientists
5. How to manage the onboarding process for the team
6. How to guide data science teams to success
7. How to encourage and empower data science teams

Commitment: 1 week of study, 4-6 hours

Course cover image by JaredZammit. Creative Commons BY-SA. https://flic.kr/p/5vuWZz

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 5 in the

Executive Data Science Specialization

Approx. 6 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

What you will learn

Describe the various roles that make up a Data Science team

Manage a Data Science team onboarding

Know relevant questions for interviewing data scientists

Understand how to encourage and empower Data Science teams

Skills you will gain

Team Building
Data Science
Management
Team Management

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 2 of 5 in the

Executive Data Science Specialization

Approx. 6 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.68/5 (135 Ratings)

Offered by

Johns Hopkins University

The mission of The Johns Hopkins University is to educate its students and cultivate their capacity for life-long learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating91%(4,137 ratings)

Week

Week 1

6 hours to complete

Building a Data Science Team

Welcome to Building a Data Science Team! This course is one module, intended to be taken in one week. the course works best if you follow along with the material in the order it is presented. Each lecture consists of videos and reading materials and every lecture has a 5 question quiz. You need to get 4 out of 5 or better on the quiz to pass. Overall the quizzes are worth 17% of your grade each, with the exception of the last quiz, which is worth 15%. I'm excited to have you in the class and look forward to your contributions to the learning community. Click Discussions to see forums where you can discuss the course material with fellow students taking the class. Be sure to introduce yourself to everyone in the Meet and Greet forum.If you have questions about course content, please post them in the forums to get help from others in the course community. For technical problems with the Coursera platform, visit the Learner Help Center.Good luck as you get started, and I hope you enjoy the course! -Jeff

6 hours to complete

17 videos (Total 83 min), 8 readings, 6 quizzes

17 videos

About your instructor1m

The Data Team2m

When Do You Need Data Science?3m

Data Engineer: Qualifications & Skills5m

Data Scientist: Qualifications & Skills8m

Data Science Manager: Qualifications & Skills4m

Where To Find The Data Team2m

Interviewing For Data Science5m

Onboarding the Data Science Team5m

Managing the Data Science Team7m

Evaluating Success of the Team6m

Embedded Teams vs. Dedicated Groups5m

How Does Data Science Interact with Other Groups3m

Empowering Others to Use Data5m

Common Interaction Difficulties6m

Common Internal Difficulties7m

Wrap-Up1m

8 readings

Lecture materials and related reading10m

Lecture Materials and Related Reading10m

Post-Course Survey10m

6 practice exercises

Defining the data science team30m

Data team qualifications30m

Assembling the team30m

Management strategies30m

Working with other teams30m

Common difficulties30m

Reviews

4.5

439 reviews

5 stars
62.44%
4 stars
28.31%
3 stars
6.83%
2 stars
1.56%
1 star
0.84%

HIGHLIGHTS

"Applicable teachings" in 79 reviews

"Brief, helpful lectures" in 11 reviews

TOP REVIEWS FROM BUILDING A DATA SCIENCE TEAM

by NNDec 14, 2017

This course was an exceptional experience where it introduces me to building a data science team, its challenges, nuances and also what kind of approach to take while building and sustaining the team.

by PVJan 22, 2017

Good overview of forming Data science team. The challenges are typical of any SDLC project. However I was looking to glean some specific challenges between DSc team and product or marketing teams.

by RVMay 21, 2016

Good but should come after the Managing Data Analysis for understanding better what the people you hire are actually going to do. Preventing the "Dilbertification" of the data science manager.

by SMJan 14, 2021

Very well organized. Might consider adding couple of additional speakers with with more executive and management level experience with organizations that successfully implemented Data Science.

View all reviews

About the Executive Data Science Specialization

Assemble the right team, ask the right questions, and avoid the mistakes that derail data science projects.

In four intensive courses, you will learn what you need to know to begin assembling and leading a data science enterprise, even if you have never worked in data science before. You’ll get a crash course in data science so that you’ll be conversant in the field and understand your role as a leader. You’ll also learn how to recruit, assemble, evaluate, and develop a team with complementary skill sets and roles. You’ll learn the structure of the data science pipeline, the goals of each stage, and how to keep your team on target throughout. Finally, you’ll learn some down-to-earth practical skills that will help you overcome the common challenges that frequently derail data science projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Building a Data Science Team