Microsoft Power BI: an incredible tool for business users and developers alike

Presentation Descripion:
If you've heard of Power BI or have even spent some time experimenting with it, you may find yourself lost as to where to start or what areas you should spend more time learning about. Rest assured, you're not alone in this sentiment. Power BI is a huge application and even experts don't know everything that it can do. In this session, we'll start by framing Power BI as a communication tool that bridges the critical gap between business users and developers. We'll talk about how Power BI Dataflows make data accessible for business users to create their own useful datasets without knowing anything about API's or writing SQL code. We'll then explore how to use the powerful semantic layer in Power BI, including configuring DAX calculations, to scale out the development of data models. Lastly, we'll discuss how interactive visuals and end views in Power BI enable business users to gain a greater understanding of their business and the supporting data behind it. By embracing this IKEA effect, business users and decision-makers will feel like they're doing much of the analysis on the front end even if 90% of the development occurred behind the scenes.

About Helen:
Helen Wall is the founder and principal of Helen Data Design, which focuses on providing consulting services for an array of business data analytics applications like Microsoft Power BI, Excel, Tableau, and AWS QuickSight. Her primary motivation behind working in these tools is finding the point where data analytics meets design principles, thus making data visualizations both an art and a science.

Helen is a LinkedIn Learning instructor for Power BI and AWS courses, focusing on all aspects of using the applications, including data methodology, dashboard design, Dataflows, and constructing calculations. She is currently developing a course on machine learning and AI capabilities within Power BI. Her work background includes an array of industries, and in numerous functional groups, including actuarial, financial reporting, forecasting, IT, and management consulting.

She has a double bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics from the University of Washington where she was also a Division I varsity rower, nd a master’s degree in financial management from Durham University (UK).

You can find Helen on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/helenrmwall/
You can visit Helen's website at http://www.helendatadesign.com

Presentation Resources:
Code Magazine Article - https://www.codemag.com/Article/2001091/Financial-Modeling-with-Power-BI-and-DAX-Life-Insurance-Calculations
Power BI Dashboard - https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiZTNiNGQyMTktMWFkNi00ZDllLWJhNjEtMzc1ZmVkNDY1YjQ1IiwidCI6IjJkNWUyMzk1LTI4OTYtNDJhMS04ZDcyLWJhNjMxNzFmZTg2NSIsImMiOjF9&pageName=ReportSection

Agenda:
6:00-6:15 Announcements
6:15-7:15 Presentation
7:15-7:45 Questions / Swag Raffles
7:45 Open Discussion / Networking

Organizers:
David Hockenberry
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhockenberry/

Blair Graham
https://www.linkedin.com/in/blair-graham-pmp-3609403