RMIT University
Data Storytelling
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Intermediate
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Course Type: Short Course
- Total Price: From $1,600
Harness the power of data and become a skilled storyteller while gaining hands-on experience using Power BI.
Course overview
In today’s data-driven world, simply gathering and analysing information is not enough. The true value lies in effectively communicating the insights derived from data. Our Data Storytelling course, created in partnership with Microsoft and Merkle, will equip you with the skills to craft compelling data-driven narratives that inform, engage, influence or inspire your stakeholders to create meaningful business impact.
You’ll learn the end-to-end process of analysing and interpreting data to structure a narrative that conveys relevant context and meaning. You'll use a supplied case study or bring your own mentor-reviewed project as you progress through the course. Using the latest industry tools and storytelling techniques, you’ll gain hands-on experience with Power BI and develop a tailored and effective way of communicating business insights derived from data, ensuring maximum impact.
By the end of this course, you will have honed your data storytelling skills and developed a tailored and effective way of communicating business insights derived from data. Your new skillset will enable you to influence decision-makers, drive organisational change and inspire innovation.
- Transform complex data into compelling stories: Learn to craft data-driven narratives using Power BI, transforming raw information into impactful insights that drive decisions and create business impact.
- Master end-to-end data storytelling skills: Build expertise in analysing, interpreting and visualising data, tailoring your story to engage stakeholders and ensure clarity, relevance and actionability.
- Learn from industry experts with real-world tools: Gain practical experience with the latest industry tools like Power BI, supported by mentors and industry leaders, and earn an RMIT credential to validate your skills.
Key facts
3rd November, 2025
What you will study
Gathering requirements and asking the right questions
- Examine the fundamentals and common frameworks used in the concept of data storytelling.
- Explore considerations and techniques for gathering requirements to achieve a stated goal.
- Identify elements used to gain insights and understanding from data, including dimensions, signals and inferences.
Analysing origins, ethics and biases to uncover data truth
- Explore the impact of data origins through human and mechanical means.
- Consider gaps, assumptions, and limitations of your analysis and their impact on the story.
- Identify risks, assumptions, limitations and biases that may distort outcomes.
Making your data story consumable and accessible
- Consider the best means to communicate for simplicity and clarity.
- Review types of charts, dashboards, anatomy of a chart and how to select the right visualisation for the message.
- Explore pre-attentive attributes and colour theory to direct your audience’s focus.
Evaluate patterns, trends, and insights to extract the narrative
- Identify outliers and anomalies, and practice identifying patterns, associations, and dependencies.
- Select and format the visualisations or stats that best support the story.
- Review ways insights lead to actions and how to evaluate effectiveness for decision-making.
Tailoring your story to your audience to ensure the greatest impact
- Explore approaches to mitigate against inherent audience biases when telling your data story.
- Review narrative frameworks and select the most relevant structure for your presentation.
- Evaluate your selected approach and insights against your intended goals.
Final project and next steps
- Learn tips for presenting data effectively to non-technical audiences.
- Review tactics for delivering your presentation in different settings, formats or objectives.
- Explore trends and the future of data storytelling.
- Complete your final project.
How you will learn
Over 6 weeks you’ll learn the end-to-end process of analysing and interpreting data to structure a narrative that conveys relevant context and meaning. Using the latest industry tools and storytelling techniques, you’ll gain hands-on experience with Power BI, and develop a tailored and effective way of communicating business insights derived from data, ensuring maximum impact.
At the end of the course, you will complete an assessment to be awarded an RMIT credential, validating your skills and competency in the area. In your final project, you will present your completed data story and justify your selected approach for a specific business objective and audience.
Who should attend
- Aspiring, emerging and existing leaders who want to elevate their influencing skills and communicate with impact, presenting compelling cases for action using optimal data insights relevant to their organisations’ goals.
- Data specialists seeking to combine their technical expertise the skills to build and present narratives that convey meaning from complex data that can be acted upon across business units.
What you will learn
Throughout this course, you will:
- Analyse and align data sets with existing business goals that inform effective decision-making.
- Apply ethical considerations and minimise bias when creating and communicating data stories.
- Create a compelling data story tailored to a specific audience by applying storytelling techniques and selecting appropriate visual aids to communicate actionable insights effectively.