day in the life of a Business Analyst at Spotify| how I visualize data (in 3 steps)

Introduction

Good morning! It's currently 8 a.m., the time I cherish for my sacred morning routine, preparing my favorite avocado toast. This hour is all about me; there's no work or YouTube stress, just my favorite simple activities.

As a Type A perfectionist, I've been reflecting on the concept of perfection since turning 27 four months ago. Being "perfect" often feels like a never-ending race that can be exhausting. Recently, I’ve started to embrace the idea that simply being myself is enough; that in doing so, I am already perfect.

Looking at my calendar today, I see a mix of leadership tasks, analysis, and opportunities to step out of my comfort zone. I'm meeting with a product manager—I don’t know much about products, but after the launch, I'll be working on our monthly business performance report. In the afternoon, I'll lead our quarterly business report presentation to my manager’s manager, summarizing our overall business performance.

Throughout my journey, many of you often ask, "Lillian, how do you improve yourself? Are there tools, books, or podcasts you recommend?" My answer is simple: my co-workers. They’re skilled at what they do, and it’s important to learn from the people around you. By asking strategic questions like, “What’s the ideal outcome for you?” or “What’s your goal for this project?” I can do my job better and gain insights into their thinking processes.

Confirming the goals for today’s tasks, I notice that one of my objectives is to present a quarterly business report. This report consists of a 60 to 80-slide deck that analyzes crucial business metrics to explain our performance. A significant part of my job includes creating effective data visualizations. One of the most popular platforms for this is Tableau, which offers free programs for students aiming to sharpen their data analytics skills. Companies like Verizon and Lenovo utilize Tableau for their data visualization needs.

So, how do I build a great data visualization? Here’s my step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Benchmarking

Always provide a point of comparison when visualizing data to tell a comprehensive story. A common mistake is presenting data without sufficient context. For instance, instead of merely stating that Messenger attracted 100 million new users in Q4, I compare it against historical data to illustrate performance over time. This method allows stakeholders to evaluate current performance relative to prior quarters.

Step 2: Use Colors Effectively

When visualizing data over multiple periods, use color strategically to highlight key insights. For instance, I emphasize Q4 performance while dimming past performance in gray. Limiting historical data to three years or quarters maintains clarity and prevents the graph from becoming cluttered.

Step 3: Annotate Key Insights

The ultimate goal of data visualization is to help your audience quickly identify patterns and insights. I use arrows, text boxes, and colors to direct attention, allowing viewers to grasp the essential messages immediately. Incorporating a summarized insight within the graph itself means viewers won’t need to read additional text to understand the main point.

After a successful day at work, I often enjoy a comforting meal. Today, it’s chicken noodle soup, perfect for the chilly weather. Then, I indulge in some latte art practice, creating little hearts to perfect my crafting skills.

As the day winds down, I mentally prepare for meetings and share my work with colleagues. Our discussions often lead to deeper insights and creative solutions.

Keywords

• Business analyst
• Data visualization
• Tableau
• Benchmarking
• Performance report
• Insights
• Strategy
• Team learning

FAQ

1. What tools do you use for data visualization?
I primarily use Tableau for data visualization which is popular within tech companies.

2. How do you improve your skills as a business analyst?
I learn from my co-workers by asking them strategic questions about their processes and goals.

3. What is the importance of benchmarking in data visualization?
Benchmarking helps provide context for the data, allowing decision-makers to understand its significance relative to other time periods or metrics.

4. How do colors enhance data visualization?
Strategic use of color helps highlight key insights and maintains clarity, ensuring that the audience focuses on the most important information.

5. What is your typical morning routine?
I spend my mornings preparing healthy meals like avocado toast and engaging in activities that help me recharge before the workday.