Data Visualization and Dashboards with Excel and Cognos Course Syllabus

Overview: This beginner-friendly course is designed to equip learners with practical skills in data visualization and dashboard creation using Excel and IBM Cognos Analytics. Over five modules, each requiring approximately 1 week of part-time effort (around 3–5 hours per module), you’ll gain hands-on experience building visualizations, designing dashboards, and telling compelling data stories. The course blends tool-specific training with foundational design principles, ensuring you can communicate insights effectively to stakeholders. By the end, you'll be ready to create professional dashboards and present data with clarity and impact.

Module 1: Introduction to Data Visualization

Estimated time: 4 hours

• Understand the importance of data visualization in decision-making
• Identify common chart types and their appropriate use cases
• Apply core design principles for clarity and readability
• Evaluate examples of effective vs. misleading visualizations

Module 2: Creating Visuals with Excel

Estimated time: 4 hours

• Use Excel’s built-in charting tools to create basic visuals
• Format and customize charts for professional presentation
• Apply conditional formatting to highlight key data points
• Create pivot charts to summarize and analyze data dynamically

Module 3: Building Dashboards in Excel

Estimated time: 5 hours

• Design an effective dashboard layout for usability
• Integrate multiple charts and data views into a single dashboard
• Use filters and slicers to enable interactive exploration

Module 4: Introduction to IBM Cognos Analytics

Estimated time: 5 hours

• Navigate the IBM Cognos Analytics interface
• Upload and prepare datasets for visualization
• Create interactive visualizations and dashboards in Cognos

Module 5: Telling Stories with Data

Estimated time: 4 hours

• Structure a data narrative to guide audience understanding
• Communicate insights clearly and persuasively
• Apply storytelling best practices to dashboard design

Module 6: Final Project

Estimated time: 6 hours

• Build a comprehensive dashboard using Excel or Cognos
• Incorporate visualization best practices and interactive elements
• Publish a short presentation telling a data-driven story

Prerequisites

• Familiarity with basic spreadsheet functions in Excel
• No prior experience with Cognos required
• Basic understanding of data types and tables

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Create clear and effective data visualizations in Excel
• Design and build interactive dashboards using Excel features
• Use IBM Cognos Analytics to develop professional dashboards
• Choose the right chart types based on data and audience needs
• Present data insights through compelling storytelling techniques