How AI and BI are Transforming Decision-Making

Recently, Team Academy Training Centre hosted a special training session focusing on how AI and Business Intelligence (BI) tools, especially Power BI, are making life easier for businesses by automating tasks like meeting notes and report generation. While many companies are still slow to adopt these changes, the benefits are becoming more apparent, especially in regions like Qatar where interest in these tools is growing.

The training emphasized how Power BI helps organizations make better decisions by analyzing large amounts of data and assessing risks. This automation is particularly useful when it comes to creating reports and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs). Although some regions are slow to adopt AI and BI, Power BI is already making a big difference in improving decision-making processes.

One part of the session explained how Power BI can help combine data from different sources like Excel, SharePoint, and ERP systems. For example, managing inventory and consumption data from separate systems can complicate decision-making. Power BI helps by pulling all that data together in one place, making it easier to track and analyze.

Anomaly detection was another important topic. It's essential for businesses to identify irregularities in their data. The session used the example of airline ticket sales to show how older travelers misused student fare tickets. This kind of detailed analysis is challenging in Excel, but Power BI simplifies it by connecting different data sources and identifying patterns that traditional tools might miss.

During the session, there was a discussion about the challenge of integrating reports and KPIs from various data sources in a business. Power BI offers solutions by consolidating multiple KPIs into a single dashboard, making it easier for managers to view all the relevant data in one place. This feature addresses a common pain point in data management and reporting.

The session also covered the basics of data cleansing. Before analysis, data often needs cleaning to correct errors and standardize formats. Power BI’s Power Query tool allows users to clean and prepare their data, ensuring that everything is accurate for reporting. Clean data leads to better decision-making, so this step is crucial.

The training program is designed to give participants practical skills in Power BI, focusing on three core areas: data cleaning, data modeling, and data visualization. The aim is to help users build effective dashboards that connect various data sources and allow for in-depth analysis. Participants also have the chance to earn a CTD certification, with an option to pursue Microsoft’s PL-300 certification for advanced skills.

In addition to Power BI, the session introduced key data science concepts like SQL joins and basic statistics (mean, median). Understanding these basics helps participants manage and analyze data better using Power BI. The session encouraged the use of resources like the Team Academy AI Learning Assistant for further support.

Team Academy outlined the structure for future sessions, which will include lectures, hands-on practice, and Q&A time. Participants are encouraged to install the latest version of Power BI before the next class. Upcoming sessions will cover topics such as metadata, data validation, and inferential statistics. Engaging with the learning materials and asking questions will help maximize the benefits of the training.

• Power BI can automate and streamline reporting, helping organizations make faster and more informed decisions.
• Anomaly detection is easier with advanced BI tools like Power BI, which can spot patterns across different data sources.
• Data cleansing is a critical step in preparing for analysis, and Power BI offers simple tools to help with this process.
• Participants will have the opportunity to earn certifications, including Microsoft’s PL-300, focusing on practical business applications.

• Install the latest version of Power BI before the next class.
• Build a dashboard that consolidates multiple KPIs to simplify data tracking.
• Review notes and schedules shared by Team Academy, and make use of the AI Learning Assistant for any questions.

This training program is designed to ensure participants not only understand Power BI but can also apply it effectively in their roles. As the sessions progress, there will be more opportunities to dive deeper into data modeling, visualization, and solving real-world problems using Power BI.