DATA INSIGHT AND COMMUNICATION FUNDAMENTALS

INTRODUCTION

Effective data analysis and decision-making depend not only on technical skills but also on the ability to clearly communicate insights and understand the needs of stakeholders. Often, there is a disconnect between analysts and management teams, leading to misinterpretation of requirements and ineffective reporting.

This one-day course, delivered via the Consortium for Health Analytics Intelligence (CHAIn), takes a practical and informal approach to exploring how information is requested, analyzed, and communicated within organizations. Participants will learn how to bridge the gap between business needs and data analysis, ensuring that the right questions are both asked and answered.

Through real-world examples, interactive discussions, and exercises, this session will help participants improve their communication skills, analytical thinking, and presentation techniques to support more effective data-driven decision-making.

This John Varlow | Training and Consultancy course will cover:

✔ Understanding how information is requested within organizations
✔ Identifying how effective communication enhances data analysis
✔ Exploring the relationship between business needs and data requirements
✔ Learning how to clarify analysis requests and avoid misinterpretation
✔ Applying simple analytical methods and data presentation techniques

COURSE OBJECTIVES

By the end of this one-day course, participants will:

✔ Recognize the common communication challenges in data analysis
✔ Learn how to identify and refine business information requirements
✔ Improve collaboration between analysts and decision-makers
✔ Develop skills to ask the right questions and clarify expectations
✔ Gain confidence in presenting data insights in a clear, compelling way

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

This session is delivered in an informal, discussion-based format, allowing participants to:

✔ Ask questions and tailor content to their specific needs
✔ Engage in real-world case studies and exercises
✔ Share experiences and challenges in communicating data effectively
✔ Explore practical techniques for bridging the gap between business and analytics

Unlike traditional lecture-based sessions, this training encourages interactive problem-solving, making it especially valuable for analysts who struggle to align their work with management expectations.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This course is ideal for professionals who work with data, reporting, and analysis, particularly those who:

✔ Struggle to interpret or clarify data requests from management
✔ Need to improve communication of data insights
✔ Want to ensure their analysis meets business needs
✔ Seek to enhance their data presentation and storytelling skills

Relevant job roles include:

✔ Business & Data Analysts
✔ Healthcare & Public Sector Analysts
✔ Operations & Performance Managers
✔ Finance & Risk Professionals
✔ Anyone responsible for communicating insights to decision-makers

Pre-requisites:

✔ Basic numeracy skills

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Understanding How Information is Requested

✔ Why business and analysis teams often misalign
✔ Recognizing common pitfalls in data requests

2. The Role of Communication in Effective Data Analysis

✔ How poor communication leads to ineffective analysis
✔ Techniques for clarifying requests and setting expectations

3. Linking Business Needs to Information Requirements

✔ Understanding what decision-makers actually need
✔ Ensuring analysis answers the right business questions

4. Asking the Right Questions & Managing Expectations

✔ How to redefine unclear requests into precise analysis tasks
✔ Practical exercises in interpreting and refining stakeholder questions

5. Simple Analytical Methods & Presentation Techniques

✔ Choosing the right data visualization for different audiences
✔ Techniques for presenting data in a clear and compelling way
✔ Addressing common pitfalls in reporting and communication

DURATION

⏳ 1 Day

This session provides a practical and discussion-led approach to improving data insight and communication skills, ensuring that participants deliver analysis that meets business needs effectively.

CERTIFICATION

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive a Consortium for Health Analytics Intelligence (CHAIn) Certificate of Completion.