Data Analysis & Dashboard Project
Part of the Business Analyst Roadmap
In short
Lots of people can make a pretty chart. Fewer can start from a business question, clean messy data and end with a clear recommendation. That's what this project should show.
Analyze a real or public dataset and build a business-relevant dashboard — showcasing Phase 5's data analysis skills with a genuine business question behind it, not just a technical exercise.
Think of it like this
The chai stall owner's tally
The chai wala notices samosas run out at 5 pm but sit cold at 11 am. A week of tally marks proves it, so he fries a second batch at 4:30 and wastes less in the morning. Question, data, insight, action.
Watch it happen
From question to recommendation
1/6Write the business question first: 'Which product categories lose money after returns?'
The big ideas
What you need to know
Start with a question
A business question gives your dashboard a point. Without one it's just charts.
Document the cleaning
List each cleaning step. Reviewers want to know you can be trusted with messy data.
Few visuals, clear story
Headline numbers at the top, trends in the middle, details at the bottom. Label everything.
End with a recommendation
Close with what the business should do, plus the data's limits. That's what makes it BA work.
See it in code
Walk through the code
1SELECT category,2 SUM(sales) AS gross,3 SUM(CASE WHEN returned THEN sales4 ELSE 0 END) AS returns,5 ROUND(100.0 * SUM(CASE WHEN returned THEN sales6 ELSE 0 END) / SUM(sales), 1) AS return_pct7FROM orders8GROUP BY category9ORDER BY return_pct DESC;1/4One row per category with total sales.
The core query for 'which categories lose most to returns'. It works in most SQL databases, and you can do the same in Sheets with SUMIFS.
Save yourself the pain
Common mistakes
Oops
Choosing a dataset first, then hunting for something to say.
Do this instead
Choose the question first, then find data that can answer it.
Oops
Ending with the dashboard and no words.
Do this instead
Add a short written insight and recommendation. Hiring managers want your thinking, not just your charts.
Your mission
Milestone 1: question and clean data
Quick check
Your dashboard shows Electronics has the highest return rate. What turns this into BA work?
Go deeper
- 1Find a public dataset relevant to a business scenario you can frame clearly.
- 2Build a dashboard with 5-6 key metrics and a clear business question it answers.
- 3Write a short summary explaining what the data shows and what you'd recommend.
More projects at this stop
End-to-End Requirements Case Study
Process Improvement Case Study
Business Case & ROI Analysis Project
Agile Backlog Management Case Study
Stakeholder Management Case Study
Portfolio Website or Document Showcase
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