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Data Analysis Course

Deepen your understanding of data through analysis class modelling and data normalisation. The course has now been updated to include data analytics. Data Analysis is an Analytical Skills module for the BCS (ISEB) Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis.

  • Classroom

    Course Details:

    Duration: 2 days

    Price: Virtual £995*+VAT
    *includes BCS exam


    Next available course:

    Virtual Classroom
    Virtual Classroom
    Virtual Classroom
  • E-learning
Who is this course for?

Business analysts, customer journey analysts, project managers and solution developers who require a practical approach to analysing and modelling data. Data Analysis is also an Analytical Skills module on the BCS (ISEB) Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis.

About the course

The Data Analysis course offers a deep dive into two key approaches to analysing and modelling data – analysis class modelling and data normalisation.

The course has recently been updated to include a module on data analytics, the interrogating and interpreting of data for the purpose of business decision making. The data analytics component looks at how data can be analysed with a business focus, offering critical insights which can drive decision making and pinpoint why some projects succeed and others fail. Techniques used to validate data against stated requirements are also explored.

Presented to you by one of the expert training consultants pictured below. Each member of our Data Analysis training team brings substantial data analysis, data modelling and data analytics experience to the programme.

How is the course structured?

To give you more of an idea of what you’ll learn and how the course will help you, here’s a quick guide to those two days.

Day
1
  • Introduction to Business Information and Data
  • Modelling Data Using Class Diagrams
  • Defining Data Requirements
Day
2
  • Defining Data Requirements (conclusion)
  • Obtaining and Recording Data
  • Analysis for Decision Making
  • Protecting Data
Course manual

For virtual courses a printed copy of the latest edition of the comprehensive course manual will be sent to your home address in good time for the start of your course. Our delegates tell us that having access to a physical document is beneficial as both a reference document and for taking notes during the course. In addition, a link will be emailed to you to enable you to access an electronic copy of the same comprehensive manual for convenient future reference.

Is there an exam?

Yes. During this two day course you’ll receive all the training you need to prepare for the BCS Professional Certificate in Data Analysis exam. A pass in this module will contribute to the BCS International Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis. The course is also consistent with SFIA skills DTAN levels 2 and 3.

For delegates attending a classroom, virtual classroom or online course, the exam may be taken remotely using the BCS online proctoring service. This exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with a pass mark of 26/40.

What’s next?

If this course is part of your BCS Advanced Diploma in Business Analysis programme you have a choice of further modules you can take including Business Architecture, Agile Business Analysis, Advanced Requirements Engineering, Stakeholder Engagement, Business Finance, Benefits Planning and Realisation and Team Leadership. The structure of the certification is shown here.

Full course outline

Data Analysis (a two-day course)

Course Content

Introduction to Business Information and Data

  • Initial concepts and terminology
    • Information versus data
    • Data analysis versus data analytics
  • Data modelling and data models
    • Conceptual, logical and physical data models
    • Static and dynamic views of data
  • Structured and unstructured data
  • The Data Lifecycle

Modelling Data Using Class Diagrams

  • Classifying elements of substance and their attributes
  • Classes and objects
  • Attributes
  • Associations and multiplicity
    • Types of relationships (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many)
    • Resolving many-to-many relationships
    • Showing multiple roles
  • Aggregation and composition
  • Generalisation
  • Naming conventions
  • Class diagrams

Defining Data Requirements

  • Defining data
  • Metadata (structural, descriptive and statistical metadata)
  • Data definitions
  • Domain definitions
  • Relational data theory
    • Two-dimensional structures
    • Using keys to identify data (primary, foreign, concatenated, compound and hierarchic keys)
  • Normalisation
    • The normalisation process
    • Un-normalised form, first normal form, second normal form, third normal form
    • Relations
    • TNF (Third Normal Form) model
  • Aspects of data quality

Obtaining and Recording Data

  • Identifying sources of data
  • Validating data models using a CRUD matrix
  • Data navigation paths and Data Navigation Diagrams

Analysis for Decision Making

  • A process for data analytics
  • Sourcing datasets
    • Data lineage
  • Validating and cleansing datasets
    • Confirmation bias
    • Sampling
    • Outliers
    • Consistency
  • Dataset calculations
    • Counting
    • Totalling
    • Averaging (mean, median, mode)
    • Maximum and minimum
    • Probability
    • NULL values
  • Identifying meaningful relationships
    • Regression analysis
    • Correlation and causation
    • Time-series analysis and forecasting
  • Interpreting results

Protecting Data

  • The imperative for protecting data
  • CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability)
  • Data protection principles
  • Data ethics
    • Data ethics principles
  • Online data

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Customer Reviews

“The entire course content was spot on. Our tutor was fab! Very knowledgeable.”  Abigail Salter

“Interesting training and well presented. Clearly explained and the slide content was very helpful.”  Jamie Morris

Presenters for this course

Pete Thompson
Pete Thompson
Julian Cox
Julian Cox
Fraser Morris