Data Visualization for Storytelling
In today’s data-driven business environment, professionals across all functions (finance, accounting, marketing, operations, human resources, customer relations, client management, service delivery, etc.) are expected to make informed decisions based on data. To drive action, they must be able to analyze information, communicate insights clearly, and tell compelling stories with data.
This certificate program provides participants with the practical knowledge and skills to develop effective data visualizations and stories that communicate critical business insights to colleagues and stakeholders. Over six intensive weeks, participants will learn how to craft a narrative for business data, develop a variety of data visualizations, build interactive dashboards for business intelligence, and create data stories that motivate business strategy. By the end of the program, participants will apply what they learned to develop a story for their own business data.
Upon successful completion of this certificate program, participants will earn a DePaul Executive Education certificate with a verifiable Credly digital badge. Participants may easily add this credential to their LinkedIn and other professional platforms to showcase their learning and achievement.
For More Information, Contact:
Jurate Murray
Email: jmurray9@depaul.edu
Phone: +1 312-362-5913
This program is designed for experienced business professionals who want to strengthen their ability to communicate data-driven insights through effective visualizations and storytelling. It is ideal for managers, analysts, consultants, and other professionals who work with data and need to present critical business insights to colleagues, clients, and stakeholders in a clear, compelling, and actionable manner.
By completing this program, participants will be able to:
- Craft a narrative for their business data
- Develop a variety of data visualizations for specific communication aims
- Apply principles of effective data visualization
- Build interactive dashboards for business intelligence
- Utilize GenAI workflows to facilitate data work
- Create data stories that motivate business strategy
Week 1: Fundamentals of Data Visualization
- Importance of data visualization
- Knowing data visualization principles
- Common data visualizations
- Using Tableau to develop data visualizations
- Course project overview: Develop a presentation on one’s own data
Week 2: Varieties of Data Visualizations
- Part-to-whole visualizations (e.g., tree maps)
- Contribution visualizations (e.g., waterfall charts)
- Multiple levels of detail in a single visualization
- Geographic maps
- Animations (e.g., bar chart race)
Week 3: Dashboards
- Dashboard design principles
- Filters, interactivity, and actions in dashboards
- Dashboards in Tableau
Week 4: Data Stories
- Relations between data, visuals, and narratives
- Developing and telling data stories
- Implementing data stories with Tableau
Week 5: GenAI Workflows
- Using GenAI to help understand data, brainstorm data visualizations, and develop data story arcs
- Iterating visualizations, dashboards, and stories with GenAI
Week 6: Presentations
- Participants present their data stories
- Course wrap-up: key takeaways and resources for continued learning
How big is the class?
Class size is limited to allow for a more interactive environment in the classroom. Most classes have fewer than 20 students.
Are there course materials?
There are no books for this course. Handouts will be distributed weekly. The cost of these materials is included in the course fee.
Do I need a computer?
You'll need access to a computer (Windows or Mac) to access course materials and complete the final project. Laptops are welcome in class but not required.
What is the difference between a certificate and a certification?
A certificate is earned after completion of a course or a series of courses. Certificates are usually awarded by a training provider or an educational institution. Certification typically includes an experience, an educational component and requires passing an exam. Certifications are awarded by governmental and/or professional agencies and often require recertification to remain certified
Dr. Kuljanin’s research focuses on developing computational process models of how organizational actors may operate to enable process-oriented, strategic decision-making on workplace operations. He has published his research in the Journal of Applied Psychology, Leadership Quarterly, Organizational Research Methods, and Psychological Methods. His research awards include Best Article in Organizational Research Methods in 2013, the 2015 William A. Owens Scholarly Achievement Award from the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and a Monograph Distinction from the Journal of Applied Psychology. As a co-investigator, he has received $2.5 million in research funding from the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences to develop a computational process model of multi-team system functioning.
Dr. Kuljanin’s consulting work focuses on analyzing data on any organization’s most important resource: its people. Specifically, his consulting work involves applying advanced analytical methods (e.g., machine learning and neural networks, dynamical modeling, organizational network analysis, natural language processing, computational modeling) on employee, team, organizational, and client data to develop effective work strategies to meet organizational objectives.
Available Sessions:
| Course Name | Schedule | Location | Delivery Method | Price | |
| Data Visualization for Storytelling Certificate | 01/06/2027 - 02/10/2027 | Schedule: Wednesdays, 6:00PM - 8:00 PM | Remote | Modality: Online Synchronous | $1,695.00 |