Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions
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Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions
This course is part of Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
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What you'll learn
Explain how the problem-solving road map applies to typical analysis scenarios.
Discuss the use of data in the decision-making process.
Demonstrate the use of spreadsheets to complete basic tasks of the data analyst including entering and organizing data.
Describe the key ideas associated with structured thinking.
Skills you'll gain
Tools you'll learn
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There are 4 modules in this course
This is the second course in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. You’ll build on your understanding of the topics that were introduced in the first course of this certificate program. The material will help you learn how to ask effective questions, make data-driven decisions, and meet stakeholders’ needs. Current Google data analysts will instruct and provide you with hands-on ways to accomplish common data analytics tasks.
Learners who complete this certificate program will be equipped to apply for introductory-level jobs as data analysts. No previous experience is necessary. By the end of this course, you will: - Learn about effective questioning techniques that can help guide analysis. - Gain an understanding of data-driven decision-making and how data analysts present findings. - Explore a variety of real-world business scenarios as an example of questioning and decision-making. - Discover how and why spreadsheets are an important tool for data analysts. - Examine the key ideas associated with structured thinking and how they can help analysts better understand problems and develop solutions. - Learn strategies for managing the expectations of stakeholders while establishing clear communication with a data analytics team to achieve business objectives.
Data analysts are constantly asking questions in order to find solutions and identify business potential. In this part of the course, you’ll learn about effective questioning techniques that will help guide your analysis.
What's included
8 videos6 readings6 assignments1 plugin
8 videos•Total 35 minutes
- Introduction to problem-solving and effective questioning •3 minutes
- Data in action•5 minutes
- Nikki: The data process works•2 minutes
- Common problem types•6 minutes
- Continue exploring business applications•7 minutes
- Anmol: From hypothesis to outcome•2 minutes
- SMART questions•7 minutes
- Evan: Data opens doors•3 minutes
6 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Course 2 overview•8 minutes
- Helpful resources and tips•4 minutes
- From issue to action: The six data analysis phases•8 minutes
- Six common problem types•8 minutes
- More about SMART questions•8 minutes
- Glossary terms from course 2, module 1•4 minutes
6 assignments•Total 104 minutes
- Module 1 challenge •40 minutes
- Test your knowledge on taking action with data•8 minutes
- Test your knowledge on solving problems with data•8 minutes
- Self-Reflection: Practice working SMART•20 minutes
- Self-Reflection: Ask your own SMART questions•20 minutes
- Test your knowledge on crafting effective questions•8 minutes
1 plugin•Total 10 minutes
- Name the problem type•10 minutes
In analytics, data drives decision-making, and this is your opportunity to explore data of all kinds and its impact on all sorts of business decisions. You’ll also learn how to effectively share your data through reports and dashboards.
What's included
6 videos6 readings5 assignments
6 videos•Total 25 minutes
- Data and decisions•1 minute
- How data empowers decisions•5 minutes
- Qualitative and quantitative data•4 minutes
- The big reveal: Sharing your findings•5 minutes
- Data versus metrics•4 minutes
- Mathematical thinking•5 minutes
6 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Data trials and triumphs•8 minutes
- Qualitative and quantitative data in business•8 minutes
- Tools for visualizing data•8 minutes
- Design compelling dashboards•8 minutes
- Big and small data•4 minutes
- Glossary terms from course 2, module 2•4 minutes
5 assignments•Total 84 minutes
- Module 2 challenge •40 minutes
- Test your knowledge on the power of data •8 minutes
- Self-Reflection: Go deeper into dashboards•20 minutes
- Test your knowledge on following the evidence•8 minutes
- Test your knowledge on connecting the data dots•8 minutes
Spreadsheets are a key data analytics tool. Here you’ll learn both why and how data analysts use spreadsheets in their work. You’ll also investigate how structured thinking helps analysts understand problems and come up with solutions.
What's included
9 videos10 readings10 assignments1 plugin
9 videos•Total 41 minutes
- The amazing spreadsheet•2 minutes
- Get to work with spreadsheets•2 minutes
- Basic spreadsheet tasks•5 minutes
- Formulas for success•7 minutes
- Spreadsheet errors and fixes•8 minutes
- Functions 101•6 minutes
- Before solving a problem, understand it•2 minutes
- Scope of work and structured thinking•5 minutes
- Staying objective•4 minutes
10 readings•Total 68 minutes
- Spreadsheets and the data life cycle•8 minutes
- Step-by-Step: Basic spreadsheet tasks•4 minutes
- Learn more about spreadsheet basics •8 minutes
- Step-by-Step: Formulas for success •8 minutes
- Quick Reference: Formulas in spreadsheets•8 minutes
- More about spreadsheet errors and fixes•8 minutes
- Step-by-Step: Functions 101•8 minutes
- Quick Reference: Functions in spreadsheets•8 minutes
- The importance of context•4 minutes
- Glossary terms from course 2, module 3•4 minutes
10 assignments•Total 304 minutes
- Module 3 challenge •40 minutes
- Hands-On Activity: Introduction to Google Sheets•60 minutes
- Hands-On Activity: Data analysis and formulas: Bakery sales insights•20 minutes
- Hands-On Activity: Resolve spreadsheet errors•20 minutes
- Test your knowledge on using formulas in spreadsheets•8 minutes
- Hands-On Activity: Create a custom data table•60 minutes
- Test your knowledge on using functions in spreadsheets•8 minutes
- Hands-On Activity: Create a scope of work•60 minutes
- Self-Reflection: Work with datasets•20 minutes
- Test your knowledge on structured thinking•8 minutes
1 plugin•Total 10 minutes
- Creating a scope of work•10 minutes
Successful data analysts balance the needs and expectations of their team and the stakeholders they support. In this part of the course, you’ll learn strategies for managing stakeholder expectations while establishing clear communication with your team.
What's included
14 videos8 readings3 assignments1 plugin
14 videos•Total 51 minutes
- Communicating with your team•1 minute
- Balance needs and expectations across your team•5 minutes
- Focus on what matters•5 minutes
- Clear communication is key •4 minutes
- Tips for effective communication•6 minutes
- Navigate expectations and realistic project goals•4 minutes
- Sarah: How to communicate with stakeholders•3 minutes
- The data tradeoff: Speed versus accuracy•4 minutes
- Think about your process and outcome•3 minutes
- Meeting best practices•6 minutes
- Ximena: Joining a new team•2 minutes
- From conflict to collaboration•4 minutes
- Nathan: From the U.S. Marine Corps to data analytics•3 minutes
- Congratulations! Course wrap-up•1 minute
8 readings•Total 40 minutes
- Working with stakeholders•8 minutes
- Use multiple communication strategies to reach your audience•4 minutes
- Limitations of data•8 minutes
- Lead great meetings•8 minutes
- Glossary terms from course 2, module 4•2 minutes
- Reflect and connect with peers•4 minutes
- Course 2 glossary•2 minutes
- Coming up next...•4 minutes
3 assignments•Total 56 minutes
- Module 4 challenge •40 minutes
- Test your knowledge on clear communication•8 minutes
- Test your knowledge on teamwork•8 minutes
1 plugin•Total 10 minutes
- Understanding stakeholder roles•10 minutes
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Reviewed on Oct 3, 2021
It’s a great course, helps, and in light me more than I expected in what to focus my question and who and when I ask especially the type of the question and the level of the people I should ask.
Reviewed on Aug 29, 2021
It was a good course, I didnt know anything related to data analysis, and since I started these courses I've been able build up my skills, mind you I've haven't put it into practice in reality yet.
Reviewed on Aug 20, 2023
It's one of the best tech-related course that I have ever taken online. I can already witnessed the impact it has brought to me as a data analyst. I will emmulate all the skills into a new business...
Frequently asked questions
Data is a group of facts that can take many different forms, such as numbers, pictures, words, videos, observations, and more. We use and create data everyday, like when we stream a show or song or post on social media.
Data analytics is the collection, transformation, and organization of these facts to draw conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making.
The amount of data created each day is tremendous. Any time you use your phone, look up something online, stream music, shop with a credit card, post on social media, or use GPS to map a route, you’re creating data. Companies must continually adjust their products, services, tools, and business strategies to meet consumer demand and react to emerging trends. Because of this, data analyst roles are in demand and competitively paid.
Data analysts make sense of data and numbers to help organizations make better business decisions. They prepare, process, analyze, and visualize data, discovering patterns and trends and answering key questions along the way. Their work empowers their wider team to make better business decisions.
You will learn the skill set required for becoming a junior or associate data analyst in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. Data analysts know how to ask the right question; prepare, process, and analyze data for key insights; effectively share their findings with stakeholders; and provide data-driven recommendations for thoughtful action.
You’ll learn these job-ready skills in our certificate program through interactive content (discussion prompts, quizzes, and activities) in under six months, with under 10 hours of flexible study a week. Along the way, you'll work through a curriculum designed with input from top employers and industry leaders, like Tableau, Accenture, and Deloitte. You’ll even have the opportunity to complete a case study that you can share with potential employers to showcase your new skill set.
After you’ve graduated from the program, you’ll have access to career resources and be connected directly with employers hiring for open entry-level roles in data analytics.
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