Learners will be able to: apply data concepts and governance practices to support strategic decision-making and advance institutional goals.

• Recognize and communicate the strategic value of data in advancing institutional goals with effective decision-making, resource allocation, and institutional effectiveness.
• Examine the full data lifecycle—from collection to processing, storage, and preservation—while considering the varying stakeholder perspectives at each stage.
• Identify your institution’s data governance policies, examine leading practices in higher education, and evaluate how well your organization’s approach aligns with those standards.

Learners will be able to: Formulate purposeful questions, identify relevant data sources, and interpret key data elements to support effective analysis.

• Explain how crafting well-defined, purposeful questions strengthens the ability to query data effectively, guides the selection of appropriate data sources, and enhances the quality and relevance of data requests.
• Identify relevant internal and external data sources, including access procedures and timelines associated with each.
• Interpret the meaning of data elements and evaluate their relevance, accuracy, and appropriateness for addressing specific analytical questions or goals.

Learners will be able to: analyze data types and quality, and refine data questions to support accurate, context-driven decision-making.

• Identify and interpret different types of data by analyzing their sources, structures, and relevance to specific decision-making contexts.
• Assess the quality of a dataset by evaluating its completeness, accuracy, and timeliness in relation to defined analytical goals.
• Evaluate and refine the initial data question to ensure alignment with available data and the intended purpose of the analysis.

Learners will be able to: extract actionable insights and communicate them through tailored, context-rich data stories that drive informed decisions.

• Evaluate data findings to determine those most relevant to a defined challenge or goal and extract actionable insights that inform evidence-based decision-making.
• Design and recommend audience-specific communication strategies—using clear narratives and visualizations—to effectively convey those insights and support decision-making.
• Construct data narratives that incorporate contextual background and institutional knowledge to enhance interpretation and inform strategic action.