Fundamentals of Data Analytics
Every data analyst starts with the same foundation: understanding what data analytics actually is, the four types of analytics, and how raw numbers become business decisions. This module builds that grounding before any tool is introduced.
What You Will Learn
A detailed, industry-aligned breakdown of every topic covered in this module.
- Introduction to data analytics & its business role
- Types of analytics: descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, prescriptive
- The data analytics lifecycle
- Data-driven decision making
- Data types, sources & collection methods
- Analytics tools landscape overview
- Setting up your analytics environment
- Structuring an analytics problem statement
Tools You Will Use
Hands-on time with the same tools used by working business and data analysts today.
Excel
Spreadsheet tool used for quick data analysis, calculations and lightweight reporting.
Google Sheets
Cloud-based spreadsheet tool used for collaborative data analysis and quick calculations.
Power BI
Microsoft's business intelligence platform used to build interactive dashboards and reports.
Tableau
Business intelligence platform used to build interactive, drill-down data visualizations.
Hands-On Labs
Production-style data analytics lab scenarios, built using real business datasets.
Classify a set of real business questions by analytics type — descriptive, diagnostic, predictive or prescriptive.
Map out the data analytics lifecycle for a sample business scenario.
Set up a working analytics environment with the core tools used across the program.
Structure a vague business question into a clear, answerable analytics problem statement.
Identify and document the data sources needed to answer a sample business question.
Assessment
Knowledge Assessment
Quiz covering the four types of analytics, the analytics lifecycle and data-driven decision making.
Practical Evaluation
Students must take a vague business question and reframe it as a structured, answerable analytics problem statement.
Projects
Industry-style deliverables added directly to your project portfolio.
Analytics Problem Framing Brief
Take a real business question and reframe it as a structured, answerable analytics problem statement.
What This Module Builds
Students build a clear foundation in what data analytics is, why it matters to business, and how the analytics lifecycle connects data to decisions.