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Digital Innovation and Transformation

Data Storytelling and Dashboard Design

Data only changes decisions when people understand it quickly. This course teaches professionals how to turn analysis into clear stories and dashboards: choosing the right charts, designing for the audience, removing clutter, highlighting what matters and presenting insights with confidence. Participants redesign their own reports during the week.

5 days Classroom or live online English
Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants
Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF
Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Many reports are full of numbers but short on meaning. You will learn to create dashboards and presentations that lead to action.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

  • Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
  • Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
  • Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.
Course methodology

How you will learn.

Before-and-after redesign exercises, chart clinics, dashboard building in common tools and presentation practice with feedback.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Apply principles of visual perception to data
  • Choose appropriate charts for different messages
  • Design clear, uncluttered dashboards
  • Structure data stories for different audiences
  • Highlight insights and recommendations
  • Present data confidently to decision makers
Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

  • Business and financial analysts
  • Managers who produce reports
  • Performance and planning teams
  • Marketing and sales analysts
  • Anyone who presents data
Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

  • Data visualisation
  • Dashboard design
  • Storytelling
  • Audience analysis
  • Presentation skills
Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Why Data Stories Matter

  1. 09:00–10:08How people read charts
  2. 10:08–11:00Common reporting mistakes
  3. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  4. 11:30–11:45Common reporting mistakes (continued)
  5. 11:45–12:53Audience and purpose
  6. 12:53–14:00Exercise: critique of real reports

Day 2Choosing Charts

  1. 09:00–10:08Comparisons, trends and composition
  2. 10:08–11:00Tables versus charts
  3. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  4. 11:30–11:45Tables versus charts (continued)
  5. 11:45–12:53Colour and emphasis
  6. 12:53–14:00Chart clinic

Day 3Dashboard Design

  1. 09:00–10:08Layout and hierarchy
  2. 10:08–11:00KPIs and context
  3. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  4. 11:30–11:45KPIs and context (continued)
  5. 11:45–12:53Interactivity and filters
  6. 12:53–14:00Hands-on: building a dashboard

Day 4Building the Story

  1. 09:00–10:08Narrative structure
  2. 10:08–11:00From insight to recommendation
  3. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  4. 11:30–11:45From insight to recommendation (continued)
  5. 11:45–12:53Annotations and headlines
  6. 12:53–14:00Workshop: story from data

Day 5Presenting with Impact

  1. 09:00–10:08Presenting to executives
  2. 10:08–11:00Handling questions
  3. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  4. 11:30–11:45Handling questions (continued)
  5. 11:45–12:53Feedback and iteration
  6. 12:53–14:00Final presentations

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Rome 16 Nov - 20 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 16 Nov - 20 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 7 Dec - 11 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Jan - 15 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 25 Jan - 29 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Vienna 15 Feb - 19 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 15 Feb - 19 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Mar - 12 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Vienna 29 Mar - 2 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 29 Mar - 2 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 19 Apr - 23 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 19 Apr - 23 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 3 May - 7 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 3 May - 7 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 24 May - 28 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Barcelona 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Jun - 18 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 5 Jul - 9 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 5 Jul - 9 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Jul - 30 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 9 Aug - 13 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 9 Aug - 13 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 30 Aug - 3 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 30 Aug - 3 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Barcelona 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 20 Sept - 24 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 11 Oct - 15 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 1 Nov - 5 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Nov - 5 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 15 Nov - 19 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 15 Nov - 19 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 6 Dec - 10 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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