Effective Use of Data and Analytics for Organisations

Build confidence using data effectively to inform decisions and to communicate analytical results.

This course strengthens participants’ ability to use data effectively within an organisational context, whether primarily as consumers of data outputs or as contributors to their creation. It explores how data and analytics can support informed decision-making, while addressing legal, ethical, and cultural factors that influence appropriate data use.

Participants are introduced to widely used analytical techniques and engage in practical exercises using Excel, with no prior experience in statistics required. The course also includes discussion on selecting suitable techniques for various scenarios and applying them to real-world problems.

A design-led approach to communicating analytical insights is emphasised, with guidance on developing effective visualisations such as dashboards and infographics. Participants gain practical tips for editing and improving data communication tools to ensure clarity and impact.

Common analytics use cases are explored, and participants are encouraged to draw on data from their own organisational settings, where privacy and confidentiality allow, to enhance relevance and application.

The course suits anyone who wants to help their organisation use data more effectively while also ensuring that use is legal, ethical, and culturally responsible.

By the end of the course, participants will be more confident in applying the right analytical methods, understanding the limits and responsibilities of data use, and communicating insights clearly through visualisations and dashboards. This course supports better decision-making and more effective data conversations across teams and organisations.

• Understand how data and analytics can enhance human decision-making in organisational contexts.
• Recognise how legal, ethical, cultural, and organisational factors shape appropriate data use.
• Identify different types of data and prepare them effectively for analysis.
• Implement basic analytical techniques in Excel to explore and interpret data.
• Apply common analytical approaches to real organisational use cases.
• Develop audience-specific strategies for communicating analytical results clearly and effectively.
• Use data visualisations to support understanding and influence decision-making.
• Explore how emerging technologies, such as AI, are changing the landscape of data analytics.