Power BI 101: Introduction to Data, Dashboards, and Decision-Making

Level Beginner
Duration 2 hours
Delivery virtualVirtual

This introductory course provides a clear, non-technical overview of Microsoft Power BI and the role it plays in modern organizations. Rather than focusing on how to use the tool, participants will explore what Power BI is, why it is used, and how it transforms raw data into meaningful insights. Participants will learn how dashboards support better decision-making, who uses Power BI across an organization, and what makes a report effective. This course is ideal for beginners who want to build foundational data literacy and understand the purpose of Power BI before engaging in hands-on tools or report building. By building foundational data literacy this course enables employees to understand dashboards, align on key metrics, and participate more effectively in data-informed conversations. This reduces confusion, improves cross-functional alignment and increases adoption of data-driven decision making.

Course Overview

Course Outcomes

  • Define what Power BI is and how it fits into the broader data ecosystem
  • Explain why organizations use Power BI instead of relying solely on spreadsheets
  • Identify who uses Power BI and how different roles interact with dashboards
  • Understand the basic components of a dashboard and how information is structured
  • Recognize common types of visuals and what kinds of questions they answer
  • Describe how dashboards support decision-making in areas like operations, projects, and leadership
  • Apply a “start with the decision” mindset when evaluating data and reports

Business Need

Organizations today have access to more data than ever before, yet many struggle to translate that data into clear, aligned, and actionable decisions. While tools like Power BI provide powerful capabilities, the true challenge lies in building the skills, mindset, and consistency needed to use data effectively across teams.


Course Schedule

Typical Course Duration

Virtual: 2 hours

Delivery Methods

Number of participants

  • virtual: 30

Course Details

Course Level:

  • Beginner

Learning Methods:

  • Case Study
  • Classroom Exercises
  • Computer Training Demonstration

Equipment:

  • CI's virtual platform

Suggested Prerequisites

None

This Course

Power BI 101: Introduction to Data, Dashboards, and Decision-Making

Recommended Follow-up

Power BI Foundations
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