Power BI
Ed Direction Data Fellows: Asynchronous Module
April 22, 2022
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Welcome to the Power BI Asynchronous Module.
This module is optional and is an exploratory resource for those considering the platform or looking for additional resources to build knowledge and capacity utilizing the platform. We ask that those who choose to complete the module fill out the feedback form at the end of the module to provide their takeaways.
Helpful Instructions and Reminders:
You will work through this module by scrolling through this learning space. To expand documents and slide decks that are included, you can click on the gray arrow at the top right corner of each item.
Please complete the Exit Ticket and TEA Feedback Form at the end of the module. We will use your submission to track completion.
Please contact datafellows@eddirection.org if help is needed.
Click on the button to the left to open a Note Catcher, which is mirrored to follow the content as it is presented on the Learning Space. As you navigate through this module, you are welcome to use this optional tool to capture your notes.
Note: You will need to make a copy of the document and save it to your local device before using.
Learning Outcome: Data Fellows will develop a strong understanding of how Power BI can be used to create dynamic data dashboards for their districts. They will use their learning to determine if the platform is right for their districts.
Activity #1: Learn About Power BI (45 minutes)
Step 1: Review and Reflect (10 minutes) Watch this introduction video to Power BI and read the Power BI Overview to get more information about the platform.
Record any initial thoughts and questions about Power BI on your note catcher.
Step 2: Assess Examples (10 minutes) Below you will find three sample dashboards in Power BI that feature district data. Carefully review each dashboard and consider the following questions:
What district goals might this dashboard monitor? What features on the dashboard address these goals?
What makes this dashboard useful? What are its strengths?
What are this dashboard's drawbacks? What might you change to improve it?
Jot your answers to these questions in the table on your note catcher.
Note: Click on the attribution button beneath each dashboard to go to the original site to view more details and insights from the dashboards' creators.
Step 3: Learn the Lingo (5 minutes) Read through these key terms associated with Power BI.
pbix: The file extension for a Power BI Desktop file.
DAX: Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) is a library of functions and operators that can be combined to build formulas and expressions in Power BI, Analysis Services, and Power Pivot in Excel data models.
Data model: In Power BI content, a data model refers to a map of data structures in a table format. The data model shows the relationships that are being used to build databases. Report designers, administrators, and developers create and work with data models to create Power BI content.
Modeling: Getting the data you've connected to ready for use in Power BI. This includes creating relationships between tables in multiple data sources, creating measures, and assigning metrics.
For a full list of terms, visit this glossary created by Microsoft.
Step 4: Step by Step (5 minutes): Now that you've gained an understanding of what Power BI dashboards can look like, these are the high-level steps to creating your own dashboard:
Determine which Power BI license is right for your district
Identify and retrieve data from various sources
Clean, transform, and load data into Power BI
Design a data model
Create model calculations using DAX
Optimize model performance
Design and build reports
Create a dashboard to tell a compelling story about the data
Create paginated reports with a multi-page report layout
Perform advanced analytics on your reports
Share dashboards and assign workspace roles
Set parameters and use dataset refresh to manage datasets
Which of these steps feel the most doable and easy to learn? Which of them feel the most difficult and daunting?
Step 5: Dive Deeper (15 minutes) Deepen your understanding of Power BI by exploring the following resources:
Browse the Introduction to Analytics mini-module below to learn how to conduct data analysis with Power BI.
Review the slide deck to see an inside look into Power BI’s interface and its coding language PowerDAX, along with a variety of additional resources we encourage you to explore if you feel Power BI might be a good fit for your district.
Read the quick overview of reverse engineering with Power BI to consider what you'll need to display your data with an existing dashboard.
Record takeaways and questions on your note catcher.
Activity #2: Is Power BI Right For You? (20 minutes)
Step 1: Review (10 minutes) Read the list of pros and cons of Power BI below with the needs of your district in mind.
Pros
Pros
Pricing: Power BI can be affordable, with some options for only $10 per month as an add-on for users with Microsoft 365 subscriptions. This compares favorably to other services, such as Tableau, which costs $70 per month per user.
Microsoft Suite Integrations: Power BI was built by Microsoft and therefore has simple and extensive integrations with other products like Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Customization Possibilities: While it has fewer pre-set options, the coding element of Power BI means that the tool is more open and can be used to create more complex dashboards.
Community and Support: Power BI is supported through the Microsoft team, with frequent updates, and has an extensive online community to help answer questions and provide tutorials
Cons
Cons
Complexity: There may be a learning curve for those who have to learn Power BI's own complex language, PowerDAX. PowerDAX is not particularly intuitive even if you have coding experience.
Adding Users: Power BI can only be shared privately between people who pay for the monthly license. There is no cheaper ‘viewer’ option.
Large Datasets: Data sets with thousands of points cause significant slowdowns in the app.
Table Relationships: Power BI is good at handling simple relationships between tables in a data model. But if there are complex relationships between tables, Power BI might not handle them well.
On your note catcher, rate how important each of the pros and cons are for your district.
Step 2: Assess (10 minutes) On your note catcher, reflect on whether Power BI is right for you district with the questions below:
What strengths does Power BI have that will benefit your district?
What concerns do you have about using Power BI?
What additional questions do you need answered before making a decision about whether Power BI is right for your district?
Additional Resources
Becoming a proficient PowerBI user takes a significant amount of time and knowledge. This tutorial series is an in-depth look at each step needed to create a dynamic, shareable data dashboard. Below each video you will see a list of the addressed skills.
Novice/Beginner
(1:36:48)
Novice/Beginner
(1:36:48)
A novice or beginner Power BI user can:
Determine which Power BI license is right for them
Identify and retrieve data from various sources
Intermediate
(1:03:07)
Intermediate
(1:03:07)
An intermediate Power BI user can:
Clean, transform, and load data into Power BI
Design a data model in Power BI
Advanced
(1:23:04)
Advanced
(1:23:04)
An advanced Power BI user can:
Create model calculations using DAX
Optimize model performance
Expert
(2:19:31)
Expert
(2:19:31)
An expert Power BI user can:
Design and build reports
Create a dashboard to tell a compelling story about the data
Master
(1:24:49)
Master
(1:24:49)
A master Power BI user can:
Create paginated reports with a multi-page report layout
Perform advanced analytics on their reports
Professional
(35:27)
Professional
(35:27)
A professional Power BI user can:
Share dashboards and assign workspace roles
Set parameters and use dataset refresh to manage datasets in Power BI
Module Complete!
Module Complete!
Congratulations on completing the Power BI module. Please complete the Feedback Form by clicking on the link below. We will use the information you submit to track your completion.
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