Virtual Tableau Data Storytelling Apprentice

Objective: Develop a comprehensive plan for creating a data storytelling project using Tableau. You are required to create a detailed strategy document that outlines the vision, target audience, key messages, and overall narrative flow for a data story. This task is designed to take approximately 30 to 35 hours of work. The final deliverable is a DOC file that captures your planning process and strategy.

Expected Deliverables:

• A DOC file containing the project strategy, planning timeline, and an outline of the data story narrative.
• A detailed description of your target audience, proposed data sources (publicly available data), and key metrics to be visualized.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Research and select a publicly available dataset that will be the subject of your data story.
2. Define the objective of your data storytelling project, including the main message you intend to communicate.
3. Create a detailed outline that includes the storyline, narrative flow, and segmentation of data insights.
4. Develop a project planning timeline detailing all phases, objectives, and planned interactivities in your Tableau visualizations.
5. Document the rationale behind your chosen approach and the intended impact on the target audience.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Clarity and depth of the strategy and planning document.
• Logical structure and comprehensive outline of the narrative flow.
• Inclusion of all required sections and adherence to the project timeline.
• Demonstration of insight into data storytelling best practices.
• Overall presentation, coherence, and readiness for the subsequent phases.

This task demands a holistic approach to strategic planning for data storytelling. Your DOC file should be detailed and well-organized, showcasing your data analysis mindset and creative planning abilities. The evaluation will focus on how clearly you define your narrative, the feasibility of the implementation plan, and how effectively you communicate your strategy in your document.

Objective: In this task, focus on designing interactive dashboards using Tableau that align with the strategy outlined in Week 1. The goal is to create a blueprint for how citizens of data can be engaged through interactive elements and visual effects. You are required to submit a DOC file containing detailed design mockups, interactive component specifications, and user flow diagrams. The work is expected to take approximately 30 to 35 hours.

Expected Deliverables:

• A DOC file that includes design mockups or sketches of the proposed dashboards.
• Flowcharts or diagrams that detail user interactions and navigational paths.
• Written explanations on how selected interactive features will enhance user engagement and understanding of the data.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Review your strategy document from Week 1 and identify the key data insights that require interactive visualization.
2. Create preliminary design sketches or mockups for different dashboard views using publicly available tools or framings.
3. Develop flowcharts that illustrate the user journey through different interactive components.
4. Explain the purpose and function of each interactive element such as filters, drill-down options, and tooltips.
5. Provide a rationale for design choices, referencing best practices from Tableau training courses.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Creativity and innovation in dashboard design.
• Clarity and detail in design mockups and user flow diagrams.
• Alignment with the overall strategy and narrative outlined in Week 1.
• Feasibility of implementing interactive features in Tableau.
• Overall organization and professionalism of the DOC file submission.

The DOC file should serve as a comprehensive guide that not only visually represents your dashboard ideas but also clearly explains the reasoning behind each design choice. Your submission must reflect an integration of creative dashboard design and robust interactive features aimed at enhancing data storytelling.

Objective: Develop a complete narrative for your Tableau data story. This narrative should weave together the strategic vision and interactive design elements developed in the previous weeks. The objective is to articulate a compelling story that explains the data insights in a coherent and engaging manner. The final deliverable is a DOC file with a full narrative description, analytical commentary, and storyboard sketches, with an expected work time of 30 to 35 hours.

Expected Deliverables:

• A DOC file that contains the complete narrative text along with storyboard sketches and analytical commentary.
• Detailed description of the storyline, including introduction, key points, transitions, and conclusion.
• Justification for narrative choices vis-à-vis data insights, and how these align with real-world implications.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Review the strategy and design documents from Weeks 1 and 2 to ensure consistency in your narrative.
2. Create an outline of the narrative, detailing the beginning, middle, and end of the story.
3. Develop detailed storyboard sketches that visually map each section or chapter of your data story.
4. Write a comprehensive narrative that integrates the visual elements with data insights, adding commentary on the importance of each segment.
5. Critically analyze the narrative to identify potential improvements and ensure a logical flow of information.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Depth and clarity of the narrative structure.
• Creativity and coherence in integrating data insights into a story.
• Quality and relevance of storyboard sketches.
• Analytical commentary that justifies narrative choices.
• Overall cohesiveness and presentation quality of the DOC file.

This exercise is integral to understanding how data can be transformed into a story that resonates with an audience. Your DOC file should not only articulate the narrative but also include illustrations that help bridge the gap between raw data and engaging stories. Evaluation will focus on the originality, coherence, and analytical depth of your narrative.

Objective: Enhance your data story by integrating advanced Tableau calculations, analytics, and visualizations. This task requires you to focus on incorporating complex analytical elements such as calculated fields, parameters, and trend analyses into your conceptual dashboard. Your final deliverable will be a DOC file that elaborates on the advanced analytical components and outlines how these components will drive deeper insights into your narrative. Allocate about 30 to 35 hours to complete this task.

Expected Deliverables:

• A DOC file that describes the advanced analytical methods to be used in your data story.
• Detailed documentation of calculated fields, parameters, and trends analysis planned for your dashboards.
• An explanation of how these advanced analytical techniques will impact the overall narrative.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Audit the basic visualizations and narrative developed so far and identify potential areas for advanced analytics.
2. Research and select relevant advanced Tableau functionalities that can add depth to your data story.
3. Draft detailed descriptions and potential pseudo-code for calculated fields, parameters, and other analytics.
4. Integrate these advanced techniques with the narrative, explaining how each will contribute to deeper insights.
5. Compile all this information into a DOC file with clear sections for each analytical component.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Clarity and thoroughness in describing the advanced analytics.
• Innovativeness and relevance of selected advanced techniques.
• Integration of analytical insights with the overall data story narrative.
• Technical depth and potential impact on user engagement and understanding.
• Overall presentation and documentation quality.

This task challenges you to merge advanced analytical techniques with storytelling. The DOC file should provide a detailed blueprint for your Tableau analytics including clear justificatory notes and expected outcomes. Evaluators will focus on the originality, technical expertise, and seamless integration of these analytical components into your overall data narrative.

Objective: In the final week, focus on evaluating your complete data storytelling project, refining its components, and developing a presentation strategy. You are required to create a comprehensive document in DOC format that includes evaluation metrics, feedback loops, revision plans, and a detailed presentation outline. This task is designed to be completed in roughly 30 to 35 hours.

Expected Deliverables:

• A DOC file containing a full evaluation and refinement plan for your data story.
• Details on the metrics and tools used to evaluate the effectiveness of your Tableau dashboards and narratives.
• A thorough presentation outline that includes key points to be communicated to a simulated stakeholder audience.

Key Steps to Complete the Task:

1. Revisit the completed planning, design, narrative, and analytics documents from previous weeks.
2. Develop a set of evaluation criteria and key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of your data story.
3. Create a revision plan outlining steps to refine and enhance your project based on simulated user or stakeholder feedback.
4. Craft a detailed presentation outline that clearly communicates the narrative, technical aspects, and anticipated impact of your data story.
5. Document the entire process in a well-structured DOC file, ensuring that each segment is clearly organized and justified.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Depth and validity of the evaluation metrics and KPIs.
• Innovativeness in the refinement and revision plan.
• Clarity, structure, and persuasiveness of the presentation outline.
• Overall integration and synthesis of previously developed materials.
• Quality of documentation in the DOC file, including organization and clarity of thought.

This culminating exercise is intended to refine and perfect your data storytelling project. Your DOC file should encapsulate a critical evaluation of your work along with a strategic plan for refinement and communication. Evaluators will assess the robustness of your evaluation methodology, the clarity of your revision strategy, and the effectiveness of your presentation in conveying your story to a non-technical audience.