Theory 1 (Overview of IBM Cognos Analy cs)

What is Data?

 Defini on: Informa on collected in a structured or unstructured form, used for analysis,
decision-making, and business planning.

 Types of Data: Not explicitly specified, but likely includes numerical, categorical, temporal,
and geospa al data.

Data Analysis vs. Data Analy cs

 Data Analysis:

o Involves studying, cleaning, and transforming data to extract useful informa on.

o Helps in iden fying pa erns, tes ng hypotheses, and making informed decisions.

 Data Analy cs:

o A more advanced process using machine learning, sta s cal tools, and automated
systems.

o Includes predic ve analy cs (forecas ng future trends) and prescrip ve analy cs

(sugges ng op mal ac ons).

Business Intelligence (BI) vs. Business Analy cs (BA):

 Business Intelligence:

o Focuses on analyzing historical and current data to describe business performance.

o Examples: Repor ng dashboards, descrip ve analy cs.

 Business Analy cs:

o Leverages data for forward-looking insights.

o Examples: Predic ve models, risk assessment, and strategy op miza on.

Domains of Business Analy cs:

 Cyber Analy cs: Focuses on iden fying cybersecurity threats and improving network
security.

 Behavioral Analy cs: Studies customer or user behavior to op mize engagement.

 Health-care Analy cs: Analyzes medical and opera onal data for be er pa ent outcomes.

 Fraud Analy cs: Detects anomalies and pa erns that may indicate fraudulent ac vity.

 Customer Analy cs: Provides insights into customer preferences and behavior to enhance
sa sfac on.

Key Concepts in IBM Cognos Analy cs:

1. Dataset: A structured collec on of data rows and columns.

2. Data Modules: A combina on of datasets for building advanced analy cs.

 3. Dimensions and Facts:

o Facts (Measures): Quan ta ve data (e.g., sales, profit, revenue).

o Dimensions: Context or qualita ve a ributes (e.g., me, loca on, product category).

Types of Reports:

1. List Reports:

o Display detailed records row by row.

o Prac cal examples: Customer databases, transac on histories.

2. Crosstab Reports:

o Summarize and compare data across mul ple dimensions, like a pivot table.

o Examples: Sales by year and product line.

3. Drill-Through Reports:

o Allow users to navigate from summary data to detailed informa on by clicking

elements in a report.

o Example: From total revenue by country to revenue by product in that country.

4. Visualiza on Reports:

o Use graphs, charts, and maps to represent data for trend analysis and decision-
making.

Important Func onali es:

 Filters: Enable narrowing down data based on specific criteria (e.g., me, loca on).

o Types: Single, Combined, Advanced.

 Dynamic Headers: Adapt report headings dynamically based on user selec ons or
parameters.

 Query Calcula ons: Add new derived columns to exis ng data.

Sample Report Assignments:

1. Revenue report by product type and year.

2. Report of return quan es categorized by year and reason.

3. Staff count reports segmented by country and city.

Theory Part-2 (Data Visualiza on in IBM Cognos Analy cs)

Key Features of Data Visualiza on:

 Purpose: Transform raw data into visual formats for easier understanding of pa erns, trends,
and insights.

 Advantages:

o Simplifies complex data rela onships.

o Enhances decision-making by highligh ng key insights at a glance.

Visualiza on Types:

1. Charts:

o Bar, Line, Pie, Bullet, Area charts for standard data needs.

2. Legacy Visualiza ons:

o Older formats retained for compa bility.

o Examples: Tradi onal bar graphs and basic line charts.

3. New Visualiza ons:

o Advanced, interac ve designs with smoother transi ons and added complexity.

o Examples: Radial bar charts, shaded area graphs.

Dashboards:

 Defini on: A centralized interface showcasing cri cal metrics and data summaries.

 Features:

o Real- me connec vity to live data.

o Includes various visualiza ons like graphs, tables, and KPIs.

o Customizable Elements:

 Users can define specific metrics, filters, and layout preferences.

o Interac ve Elements: Enable drill-down into metrics or filtering by meframes.

Stories:

 Defini on: Narra ve-driven presenta ons combining data visuals, annota ons, and
transi ons.

 Structure: Sequen al format for logical flow, o en highligh ng a progression or rela onship.

 Use Cases:

o Quarterly business reviews.

o Presenta on of project outcomes or strategic proposals.

o Data-driven storytelling to engage stakeholders.

Theory Part-3 (Advanced Visualiza on and Repor ng in IBM Cognos)

Ac ve Reports:

 Defini on: Self-contained reports (output as .MHT files) that allow offline interac on
without server/database dependency.

 Key Benefits:

1. Interac vity: Advanced user interface for dynamic filtering and sor ng.

2. Disconnected Func onality: Access report content offline.

3. Distribu on: Easily shared via email a achments.

4. Pixel-Perfect Forma ng: Precise design for professional output.

Ac ve Report Controls:

 Sta c Controls: Values defined manually by the report author.

o Examples: Drop-down lists, radio bu ons.

 Data-Driven Controls: Values populated dynamically from the data.

o Examples: Data-driven dropdowns, radio bu on groups.

Rapidly Adap ve Visualiza on Engine (RAVE):

 Overview:

o A flexible, grammar-based engine for crea ng visualiza ons.

o Describes charts by mapping (e.g., 2D coordinates) instead of specific types.

 Features:

o Supports anima ons, sta s cal opera ons (e.g., sum, count).

o Easily extensible with new charts and a ributes without so ware updates.

Visualiza on Op ons in RAVE:

1. Built-In Standard Charts: Preconfigured basic visualiza ons.

2. Legacy Visualiza ons (RAVE1): Older, extensible formats.

3. Modern Visualiza ons (RAVE2): Enhanced op ons with be er aesthe cs and interac on.

Prac cal Use Cases:

 Create a bar chart for revenue trends by month and category.

 Develop a radial chart to compare performance metrics across regions.

Assignments:

1. Build an Ac ve Report showing product revenue categorized by year and region.

2. Create a crosstab report of country, retailer type, and gross profit in lexicographic order.

3. Generate a visualiza on for average sales by store and product category.

Comparison of Dashboards and Stories

Aspect Dashboard Story

Purpose Visual overview for real- me monitoring. Sequen al, narra ve-driven presenta ons.

Highly interac ve with filters and drill-

Interac vity Guided flow, less interac ve.
down.

Presen ng strategic insights to

Use Case Tracking KPIs and ongoing trends.
stakeholders.