I see "Dashboard Week" very similar to final exams at university. However, here, there's no need to prepare. It's time to test your skills and see what you've learned throughout your intensive training journey. I want to share my thoughts on "Dashboard Week", my personal experiences and challenges, and what I'd do differently if given another shot.
Contrary to many who went through the same experience, I didn't find "Dashboard Week" as intense as I thought it would be. Having a clear task in an uninterrupted time frame was actually enjoyable. During training, I often worked overtime to achieve what I thought was necessary. My mornings started with planning the day's tasks and figuring out how to manage my time. But during "Dashboard Week", I didn’t have these concerns. If I worked after the presentation, it was to refine things, but without the stress of deadlines or mandatory tasks.
So, how did it go for me?
The first two days were successful. I was satisfied with my results and felt I achieved what I set out to. The next three days were also good, but there were areas that needed more work to say I had a complete dashboard. I saw that I had a strong foundational knowledge, setting me up for more advanced data analysis in the future. I was also able to reassess my strengths and weaknesses, pinpointing areas that needed more attention. I made sure to approach each tool – Tableau, Alteryx, and Power BI – without bias, ensuring I was proficient in each.
If given a second chance, what would I do differently?
Here are some points on what I'd do if I faced "Dashboard Week" again, which will likely influence my future work strategy:
- I'd set a strict time frame to separate data preparation from dashboard building. I wouldn’t detail every minute, but I’d need clarity on my goals.
- For data preparation, I’d allocate two-thirds of the time and then evaluate. If I was behind and felt I couldn’t complete it, I'd consider what minimum data I’d need for a substantial analysis.
- For the dashboard, I wouldn’t spend too long deciding on its design. If unsure, I’d look to other dashboards for inspiration. I’d choose a few that had similar analyses but different charts, and start from there. If a chart proved too challenging or time-consuming, I’d switch. A tip: if short on time, don’t get too attached to a chart you're unsure how to create.
As this intensive training wraps up, I'm saddened to think I won't have this experience again soon. After a break, I’ll dive into a new challenge, hopefully tougher than the last. This quote captures my feelings: "Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new." - Brian Tracy