Introduction to Business Analytics: Communicating with Data

Introduction to Business Analytics: Communicating with Data

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Unnati Narang

55,991 already enrolled

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

661 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

661 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

1 week at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

96%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Build familiarity with the set of tools and techniques used to analyze and visualize digitalized data.
Gain an understanding of the motivations that direct the use of various data visualization methods.
Understand visual approaches used to effectively communicate insights from data and how to use AI tools responsibly as a drafting partner.
Gain hands-on, working knowledge of the nuanced distinction between effective and poor data presentation.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

R (Software)

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

5 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

This course introduces students to the science of business analytics while casting a keen eye toward the artful use of numbers found in the digital space. The goal is to provide businesses and managers with the foundation needed to apply data analytics to real-world challenges they confront daily in their professional lives. Students will learn to identify the ideal analytic tool for their specific needs; understand valid and reliable methods for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data; and utilize data to inform decision-making for their agencies, organizations, or clients. The course also examines the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in analytics, with a focus on using AI as a drafting partner while keeping human judgment and accountability firmly in the loop.

This module establishes that effective communication with data begins with storytelling, not visualization. You will learn why a clear story is more durable than any specific tool, and you will be introduced to the structured frameworks that consultants, executives, and analysts use to organize insight.

What's included

8 videos8 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

8 videosTotal 49 minutes

Meet Professor Unnati Narang3 minutes
Module Introduction: Why Data Storytelling Matters5 minutes
Core Concepts: Data Visualization and Data Storytelling4 minutes
Historical View and Examples of Powerful Data Visuals 8 minutes
Communication Framework Part 1: Pyramid Principle7 minutes
Communication Framework Part 2: SCQA8 minutes
Applying Communications Frameworks : Retail Example7 minutes
Additional Frameworks: McKinsey-Style Storyline Decks and ABT8 minutes

8 readingsTotal 180 minutes

Syllabus30 minutes
Glossary10 minutes
People and Brands Referenced10 minutes
About the Discussion Forums10 minutes
Online Education at Gies College of Business10 minutes
Update Your Profile10 minutes
Module 1 Overview10 minutes
Module 1 Readings90 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Data Storytelling Foundations and Frameworks: Quiz30 minutes
Orientation Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates10 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Welcome! Please Tell Us About Yourself15 minutes

This module shifts from structure and storytelling to the process of generating insights from data itself. You will learn how people perceive visual information, which encodings communicate most accurately, how to move from raw data to audience-ready visuals through exploration and iteration, and how to navigate the modern data visualization tool landscape.

What's included

9 videos2 readings1 assignment

9 videosTotal 78 minutes

Module Introduction: The Process of Generating Insights from Data 4 minutes
From Perception to Design (Part 1): How People Process Visual Information7 minutes
From Perception to Design (Part 2): Choosing Effective Visual Encodings8 minutes
Data Exploration: Making Sense of Raw Data12 minutes
Data Visualization Tools: An Overview of the Ecosystem10 minutes
From Spreadsheet to Story (Excel): Creating Executive-Ready Visuals8 minutes
From Spreadsheet to Story (Python): Creating Executive-Ready Visuals4 minutes
What Good Data Visuals Look Like: Learning from Real Examples6 minutes
Practical Ideas and Anecdotes: Walter Johnson, Synchrony18 minutes

2 readingsTotal 27 minutes

Module 2 Overview20 minutes
Module 2 Readings7 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Gaining Insights from Data: Exploration, Visualization, and Iteration: Quiz30 minutes

Modern analytics increasingly involves data that does not fit neatly into rows and columns, including text, location, images, and high-dimensional behavioral signals. This module introduces practical frameworks for visualizing these data types and emphasizes that complex data demands more clarity, not more visual complexity.

What's included

8 videos2 readings1 assignment

8 videosTotal 62 minutes

Module Introduction: Visualizing Unstructured and Complex Data5 minutes
Why Complex Data Requires New Visualization Approaches7 minutes
Visualizing Text Data (Part 1): Frameworks for Business Insight11 minutes
Visualizing Text Data (Part 2): Real-World Applications8 minutes
Visualizing Location Data (Part 1): Frameworks for Business Insight11 minutes
Visualizing Location Data (Part 2): Real-World Applications6 minutes
Combining Data Modalities for Richer Insights8 minutes
Data Visualization Guardrails6 minutes

2 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Module 3 Overview10 minutes
Module 3 Readings30 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Extending Insights: Visualizing Unstructured and Complex Data: Quiz30 minutes

This module examines what changes, and what doesn't, when AI enters the analytics workflow. Rather than treating AI as a black box that produces final answers, you will learn to use AI as a fast drafting partner while keeping human framing, evaluation, and accountability firmly in the loop. The module also examines what happens when AI-generated visualizations operate at scale and what governance and disclosure practices are demanded.

What's included

8 videos4 readings1 assignment1 plugin

8 videosTotal 59 minutes

Module Introduction: AI in Data Visualization4 minutes
Human-in-the-Loop Workflows in Data Visualization10 minutes
Using AI as a Drafting Partner: Generating First Visuals8 minutes
AI in Data Visualization Tools: Current Applications6 minutes
AI at Scale: Risk, Responsibility, and Governance5 minutes
The Analyst’s Role in an AI-Driven World6 minutes
Practical Ideas and Anecdotes - Walter Johnson - Synchrony20 minutes
Learn on Your Terms1 minute

4 readingsTotal 100 minutes

Module 4 Overview20 minutes
Module 4 Readings and Colab Notebook Material60 minutes
Congratulations on completing the course!10 minutes
Get Your Course Certificate10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Working with AI: Drafting Visuals and Communicating for Responsible Decision-Making: Quiz30 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

How Was the Course?15 minutes

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Build toward a degree

This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(183 ratings)

Unnati Narang

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

2 Courses72,772 learners

Offered by

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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Showing 3 of 661

Reviewed on Jan 28, 2023

This course highlighted the points to take note when creating a data visualisation which I found very useful.

Reviewed on Feb 3, 2023

Good course to understand the fundamentals of data visualization and how to effectively communicate through visuals instead of plain words or number tables

Reviewed on Aug 15, 2020

The course does justice to its title i.e "Intoduction" but there could have been more hand on experience other than assignments. But a good start for the people getting into Data Visualization.

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