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Hello, and welcome, I’m Rachel Scrivens, a Data Visualisation Specialist, and I’m your industry expert guiding you through this Springpod For Universities Online Career Readiness Experience, in association with The University of Liverpool. As somebody that has worked in this field for a long time, I’m really excited to invite you and encourage you through an opportunity that could seriously boost your career prospects. Throughout this experience, you’ll be provided with a deep dive into the Business Industry, learn about what it means to work as a Data Visualisation Specialist, and get hands on experience with the hard skill of creating ‘Database Diagrams’. I’d like to say this - I wish I’d had such an opportunity back when I was studying!Mastering the creation of Database Diagrams will give you a real competitive edge - after all, hard skills are the currency of today’s data-driven workplaces. Employers are on the lookout for candidates who not only understand the fundamentals, but can also walk into a job on day one ready to contribute meaningfully. By completing experiences such as this, you’re one step closer to being that candidate. In addition, we’ll be focusing on the all-important soft skill of ‘Emotional Intelligence’. Understanding others, managing relationships, and demonstrating empathy is what transforms good analysts into exceptional teammates. It’s not all about numbers - it’s about people too. You’ll get the chance to complete industry-validated, work-based activities that mimic real-world tasks, complete with learning objectives, model answers, and learning outcomes. By the end of the experience, you’ll earn a certificate of completion - a valuable addition to your CV that shows employers you’re not just another graduate, but a job-ready candidate who stands out. Speaking from personal experience, the blend of these technical skills and interpersonal insights can set you apart from the rest. When I started out, I had to learn many of these lessons on the job. This experience gives you the advantage of developing them before even stepping into the workplace. I’m really looking forward to seeing where your data journey takes you, and guiding you along the way! Warm regards,

Rachel Scrivens Data Visualisation Specialist

Chapter 1

Business Industry

Chapter 2

What is a Data Visualisation Specialist?

Chapter 3

Hard Skill: Database Diagramming

Shaping your future

Let's start with the basics of the Business Industry. In the next four chapters, we'll explore the key areas and roles you can pursue within this field, along with the latest industry trends. Be sure to take notes as there's a quiz at the end!

Start

Business Industry

What are the key areas of this industry?

The Business Analysis Industry is a multifaceted sector that encompasses a wide range of disciplines aimed at identifying business needs, determining solutions to business problems, and driving organisational change. It involves the application of analytical skills and methodologies to improve processes, systems, and overall business performance. Here is an overview of the Business Analysis Industry, including its key areas, roles, and trends.

What job roles can I pursue?

What are the current trends?

Conclusion

Chapter 1

Index

What we'll cover...

What are the key areas of the Business Industry?

Chapter 1

Strategic Analysis

Requirements Analysis

ProcessAnalysis

DataAnalysis

Systems Analysis

Project Management

Change Management

User Experience (UX) Analysis

Key areas

What job roles can I pursue in the Business Industry?

Click the job roles to reveal more info!

Chapter 1

job roles

Identifies business needs and develops solutions to business problems.

Business Analyst

Requirements Analyst

Financial Analyst

Data Analyst

Systems Analyst

Market Research Analyst

Project Manager

UX Analyst

Change Manager

Process Analyst

Gathers and documents business and system requirements.

Analyses financial data to support business decisions.

Analyses data to support business decision-making.

Manages projects to ensure they meet objectives and deadlines.

Focuses on analysing and designing IT systems.

Conducts market research to inform business strategy.

Enhances the usability and user experience of products and services.

Oversees organisational change and transition processes.

Improves business processes and workflows.

What are the current trends in the Business Analysis Industry?

Agile Methodologies

Data-Driven Decision Making

Digital Transformation

Customer-Centric Focus

Business Process Automation

Remote Work and Collaboration

Regulatory Compliance

Sustainability and Ethics

Chapter 1

Current trends

So, in conclusion…

Chapter 1

Conclusion

The Business Analysis Industry is a dynamic and evolving field that plays a crucial role in driving organisational success and innovation. It spans various disciplines, each with its unique focus, tools, and applications. As technology advances and business environments change, the Business Analysis Industry continues to adapt and innovate, providing valuable insights and solutions to improve processes, systems, and overall business performance.

Chapter 1

Business Industry

Chapter 2

What is a Data Visualisation Specialist?

Chapter 3

Hard Skill: Database Diagramming

Start

Chapter 2

Index

Data Visualisation Specialist

What is a Data Visualisation Specialist?

Great job on completing chapter one! In chapter two, we'll dive into a career as a Data Visualisation Specialist, exploring the role in detail.

What are the key responsibilities?

What are the skills and tools needed?

What career path and education are ideal?

What we'll cover...

Summary

What is a Data Visualisation Specialist?

Chapter 2

What is a Data Visualisation Specialist?

A Data Visualisation Specialist is a professional dedicated to transforming complex data sets into clear, visually engaging graphics that help organisations understand trends, patterns, and insights. This role involves using visualisation techniques and tools to create charts, graphs, and dashboards that make data more accessible and actionable. Here is a detailed overview of what a Data Visualisation Specialist is and what they do:Data Visualisation Specialists focus on converting raw data into meaningful visual representations that facilitate decision-making and data comprehension. Their goal is to present data in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to understand, helping stakeholders make informed decisions based on the visualised data.In a world increasingly driven by data, Data Visualisation Specialists play a critical role in helping organisations leverage data effectively. By creating intuitive visualisations, they enable businesses to gain insights, identify trends, and communicate findings more effectively.

What are the key responsibilities of a Data Visualisation Specialist?

Chapter 2

Data Collection and Integration

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Visualisation Creation

Tool Utilisation

Collaboration and Communication

Continuous Improvement

Key responsibilities

What are the skills and tools needed to be a Data Visualisation Specialist?

Data Analysis

Design and Aesthetics

Technical Proficiency

Problem-Solving

Data Visualisation Tools

Graphic Design Software

Data Analysis Tools

Dashboard Tools

Chapter 2

Key SKILLS & TOOLS

Communication

KEY SKILLS

COMMON TOOLS

What career path and education are ideal for becoming a Data Visualisation Specialist?

career path & education

Educational Background:

Career Progression:

Data Visualisation Specialists often have degrees in fields such as computer science, information technology, graphic design, data science, or business analytics. Many also enhance their skills through specialised training programmes, certifications, or self-study.

Entry-level Data Visualisation Specialists can advance to roles such as Senior Data Visualisation Specialist, Data Visualisation Manager, or Data Visualisation Director. Specialisations within the field include roles like Data Analyst, Data Scientist, and Business Intelligence Developer.

Chapter 2

So, in summary…

Chapter 2

summary

A Data Visualisation Specialist plays a pivotal role in helping organisations make data-driven decisions by creating clear, engaging visual representations of data. By focusing on data collection, analysis, and visualisation, they provide valuable insights that drive business strategy and performance. The work of a Data Visualisation Specialist spans from initial data gathering and cleaning to designing detailed visualisations and interactive dashboards, requiring a combination of analytical, technical, and design skills.

Chapter 1

Business Industry

Chapter 2

What is a Data Visualisation Specialist?

Chapter 3

Hard Skill: Database Diagram

Start

Chapter 3

Index

Hard Skill: Database Diagramming

Understanding database purpose and structure

Database Diagramming is a crucial hard skill for Data Visualisation Specialists, enabling them to effectively map out and understand the relationships between different data entities within a database. This skill is essential for developing clear and accurate visual representations of data structures, which ultimately improve data integration, analysis, and reporting.

Creating entity-relationship diagrams (ERDs)

Tools for designing database diagrams

Using diagrams for data analysis and visualisation

What we'll cover...

Collaboration and continuous updates in Database Diagramming

Chapter 3

Hard Skill: database diagramming

The initial step in creating a database diagram involves understanding the purpose and structure of the database. Data Visualisation Specialists must comprehend the types of data stored, how the data is organised, and the relationships between various data entities. This understanding is key to creating accurate diagrams that reflect the database’s architecture and data flow.To create a database diagram, Data Visualisation Specialists employ various methods and tools. They often start with Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERDs), which visually represent the entities (tables) in a database and the relationships between them. This process involves identifying the different tables and data points that need to be represented, establishing how these entities are connected, such as one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many relationships, and listing the key attributes or columns of each entity, which describe the data stored in each table.

Data Visualisation Specialists use various tools to create database diagrams, each offering unique features to aid in the design and visualisation process. Common tools include Microsoft Visio, a versatile diagramming tool that allows for detailed and customisable ERDs; Lucidchart, a web-based application that provides collaborative features and easy integration with other data tools; MySQL Workbench, a tool specifically designed for creating and managing MySQL databases, offering built-in diagramming capabilities; and ER/Studio, a robust tool for database design and data architecture, supporting multiple database platforms.

Chapter 3

Hard Skill: database diagramming

Once the database diagrams are created, Data Visualisation Specialists use them to guide their data analysis and visualisation efforts. These diagrams help ensure data from different sources is accurately combined and related, identifying and addressing inconsistencies or redundancies in the data, and providing a blueprint for creating visual representations that reflect the underlying data structure. For instance, a Data Visualisation Specialist might use a database diagram to design a dashboard that accurately reflects sales data, customer information, and inventory levels. By understanding the relationships between these data points, they can create visualisations that provide comprehensive insights into business performance.

Database diagrams are also invaluable for collaboration and communication within an organisation. Data Visualisation Specialists work with database administrators, data analysts, and other stakeholders to ensure everyone has a clear understanding of the data structure. Presenting a well-designed database diagram can help non-technical stakeholders grasp complex data relationships and contribute to more informed decision-making.As databases evolve and new data sources are integrated, Data Visualisation Specialists must continuously update their database diagrams. This ongoing process ensures that diagrams remain accurate and relevant, reflecting any changes in the data structure. Regular updates and validation of these diagrams help maintain the integrity of data visualisations and the insights derived from them.

Chapter 3

Hard Skill: DATABASE diagramming

In summary, Database Diagramming is a fundamental hard skill for Data Visualisation Specialists that involves meticulous planning, understanding of data structures, and the use of specialised tools. By developing detailed and accurate database diagrams, Data Visualisation Specialists can provide actionable insights that effectively address data integration and visualisation challenges, ultimately enhancing the quality and clarity of their data visualisations.

That's a wrap!

Mark this section as complete to access the quiz and test your knowledge!

Data Collection and Integration

Gathering Data: Collecting data from various sources, including databases, APIs, and spreadsheets.Data Integration: Merging data from multiple sources to create comprehensive datasets for visualisation.

Strong emphasis on understanding customer needs and improving customer experiences. Adoption of customer journey mapping and personal development.

Understanding of design principles to create visually appealing and effective visualisations.

Increasing adoption of Agile practices for flexibility and faster delivery. Emphasis on iterative development and continuous improvement.

Project Management

  • Focus: Overseeing projects to ensure successful implementation.
  • Applications: Project planning, risk management, stakeholder communication.
  • Tools: MS Project, Asana, Trello, Gantt charts.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Data Cleaning: Ensuring data quality by cleaning and organising raw data to prepare it for visualisation.Data Analysis: Analysing data to identify key trends, patterns, and insights that need to be visualised.Interpretation: Understanding the results of data analysis to determine the best way to represent the information visually.

Collaboration and Communication

Working with Stakeholders: Collaborating with business leaders, analysts, and other stakeholders to understand their data visualisation needs.Presenting Findings: Communicating data insights through presentations and reports, using visualisations to explain complex data clearly.

User Experience (UX) Analysis

  • Focus: Enhancing the usability and satisfaction of user interactions.
  • Applications: User research, usability testing, persona development.
  • Tools: Axure, Sketch, Figma, user journey maps.

Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop.

Requirements Analysis

  • Focus: Identifying and documenting business and system requirements.
  • Applications: Requirements gathering, user stories, functional specifications.
  • Tools: JIRA, Confluence, DOORS, Visio.

Continuous Improvement

Feedback Loops: Incorporating feedback from stakeholders to refine and improve data visualisations.Staying Updated: Keeping up with industry trends and advancements in data visualisation tools and techniques.

Ability to analyse and interpret data to determine what should be visualised.

Systems Analysis

  • Focus: Assessing and improving information systems and IT infrastructure.
  • Applications: Systems requirements, solution design, technical specifications.
  • Tools: UML, ERD, system architecture diagrams.

Heightened focus on compliance with industry regulations and standards. Implementation of governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) frameworks.

Visualisation Creation

Designing Visualisations: Creating charts, graphs, and other visual representations of data that highlight key findings.Developing Dashboards: Building interactive dashboards that allow stakeholders to explore data and gain insights dynamically.

Growing emphasis on sustainable business practices and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Incorporation of ethical considerations in business analysis and decision-making.

Tableau, Power BI, D3.js, Google Data Studio.

Growing reliance on data analytics to inform business decisions.Advancements in big data and AI to uncover insights and trends.

Process Analysis

  • Focus: Improving business processes and workflows.
  • Applications: Process mapping, business process reengineering, Lean Six Sigma.
  • Tools: BPMN, Lucidchart, IBM Blueworks Live.

Increasing use of automation to streamline processes and reduce costs. Implementation of robotic process automation (RPA) and AI.

Strategic Analysis

  • Focus: Long-term business planning and strategy development.
  • Applications: Business model analysis, SWOT analysis, strategic roadmaps.
  • Tools: Balanced Scorecard, PESTLE analysis, SWOT analysis.

Skill in using data visualisation tools and software.

Looker, QlikView.

Tool Utilisation

Visualisation Tools: Using tools like Tableau, Power BI, D3.js, and Excel to create data visualisations.Customisation: Tailoring visualisations to meet the specific needs of different stakeholders and use cases.

Change Management

  • Focus: Managing organisational change and transition.
  • Applications: Change impact analysis, stakeholder engagement, training.
  • Tools: ADKAR model, change management plans, Prosci tools.

Strong problem-solving skills to identify the best ways to represent data.

Embracing digital technologies to transform business operations.Integration of cloud computing, IoT, and automation.

Excellent communication skills for presenting data findings to non-technical stakeholders.

Shift towards remote work and virtual collaboration tools. Utilisation of online platforms for communication and project management.

Data Analysis

  • Focus: Analysing and interpreting business data to support decision-making.
  • Applications: Data modelling, reporting, business intelligence.
  • Tools: Excel, SQL, Tableau, Power BI.

Excel, SQL, Python, R.