Module 4: Data Applications And Workflow
INTRODUCTION – Data Applications And Workflow
In this course, you’ll learn the PACE project workflow (plan, analyze, construct, and execute)a project and how to effectively organize a data project. You will learn how to effectively communicate with your teammates and stakeholders.
Learning Objectives:
- Apply communication principles to real-world data project scenarios
- Analyze the significance of communication and its role in driving the PACE workflow
- Examine the stages of the PACE workflow and categorize tasks associated with each stage of a data project.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: THE DATA PROJECT WORKFLOW
1. In which PACE stage would a data professional ask, “What are the goals of the project?”
- Plan (CORRECT)
- Construct
- Analyze
- Execute
Correct: At this planning stage of the PACE model, a data professional asks, ‘What is the project’s goal?’ Every answer to this question will define the project’s scope.
2. Fill in the blank: In the _____ stage of the PACE model, a methodical examination of the data is conducted.
- execute
- plan
- construct
- analyze (CORRECT)
Correct: During analyze steps of PACE method, complete investigation of the data happens. Also here, the data professional performs exploratory data analysis (EDA).
3. In the execute stage of the PACE model, what is shared with stakeholders?
- Models and algorithms
- The story told by the data (CORRECT)
- Project goals
- Datasets
Correct: In the execute stage of the PACE model, the data-derived insights are directed toward the stakeholders. This includes answering questions and presenting findings and recommendations based on the analysis.
PRACTICE QUIZ: COMMUNICATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS IN DIFFERENT ROLES
1. Did you complete this activity?
- Yes (CORRECT)
- No
Correct: Indeed, identifying the audience and knowing the info to share is important for proper professional communications. Check out the quiz scores for your performance before heading on to study the next item in the course to compare your work with that of an exemplar that has already been completed. That will make it quite clear in your mind and help you sharpen your skills!
2. What information is most relevant to include in the email to the new data professional? Select all that apply.
- A description of how machine learning models work
- An overview of the data team’s workflow (CORRECT)
- An invitation to ask follow-up questions (CORRECT)
- The accuracy goal for the visitation prediction model (CORRECT)
Correct: Insight into how results will be shared and feedback gathered from internal stakeholders will be made valuable to the new data professional through an overview of data team’s workflow. Important will be the inclusion of the goal of accuracy of the visitation prediction model and stimulating follow-up questions to ensure clarity and collaboration.
Correct: It encourages inviting follow-up questions to get the new data professional closer to understanding his or her project. Additionally, by giving a bit of an overview about the workflow of the data team and by outlining the accuracy goal for the visitation prediction model, this would clarify some aspects of the work for this new team member.
Correct: It encourages stimulation of follow-up queries with new data professional reaching towards clarity concerning his or her projects. Also, it explains a brief overview of the data team’s workflow, in conjunction with outlining the accuracy goal for visitation prediction models, which would clear up certain work aspects for this new team member.
3. What information is most relevant to include in the email to the new writer? Select all that apply.
- Technical details about the project
- An invitation to ask follow-up questions (CORRECT)
- The problem the project is addressing (CORRECT)
- The purpose and benefits of the visitation prediction project (CORRECT)
An invitation for follow-up inquiry will improve communications between the new writer and the project to help them grasp the intended results. Also, it is necessary to describe the visitation prediction project benefits and its intention together with the problem to give additional very important context.
Providing an explanation of what the project problem is about will give the new writer very important context, as well as help them to understand what exactly is involved in the importance of the project. Also, it is worth explaining the purpose and benefit of visitation prediction project along with invitation for follow-up questions.
The project purpose and benefits regarding visitation prediction will enable the new writer to create articles in propagating NPS’s work and its mission. A description of the problem posed against an invitation for follow-up questions will go a long way in facilitating their comprehension.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION
1. Which element of communicative exchange involves thinking about the reason why the communication is taking place?
- Receiver
- Purpose (CORRECT)
- Sender
- Collaboration
Correct: This element of communication exchange is the consideration of the reason to send out messages and understanding the different goals that the communication is trying to achieve.
2. To work successfully, PACE must be employed in a linear progression.
- True
- False (CORRECT)
Correct: It is actually highly flexible and requires no strict linear progression or order. It can be adjusted and revisited if required during the entirety of a project.
3. Fill in the blank: Regardless of the PACE workflow stage, _____ drives the framework through to project realization.
- presentation
- validation
- communication (CORRECT)
- observation
Correct: Communicate to keep things rolling in the PACE framework or, at whatever point you do in the workflow, ensure the successful completion of that particular project.
PRACTICE QUIZ: CREATE A PROJECT PROPOSAL
1. Did you complete this activity?
- Yes (CORRECT)
- No
Correct: Welcome to the site! There is something very important it should learn by creating and sharing a project proposal-from working with a team of data professionals. Check the quiz feedback on your performance and move to the next learning item, where you can compare your work with an accomplished exemplar. Now, you are set to improve how you think and understand!
2. What is the main goal of the project?
- Predict vehicle failures before they occur (CORRECT)
- Test and retest machine learning techniques for accuracy
- Deliver a machine learning model
- Scrub, convert, and format data
Correct: The project would definitely indicate its main goal in “objective” part of the proposal. An objective statement is a concise one-to-three-sentence description that clearly states what the project hopes to achieve.
3. Approximately how long should it take to complete the planning and analysis stages of the project?
- 4-6 weeks (CORRECT)
- 7 weeks
- 3 weeks
- 11-13 weeks
Correct: This section of the project proposal indicates the expected duration of various project stages and milestones with regard to the planned time estimates. Approximately two to three milestones will be required in the planning and analysis stages, resulting in an estimated total completion time of four to six weeks.
4. During which stages of the project should the team share project progress and findings with stakeholders? Select all that apply.
- Modeling
- Executing (CORRECT)
- Analyzing (CORRECT)
- Constructing (CORRECT)
- Planning (CORRECT)
Correct: At each stage of the project, the stakeholders need to be kept informed about the progress and findings from the project. Their input is valuable and can help in decision making throughout the project.
5. Which deliverables are associated with the tasks of finalizing modeling and machine learning decisions, constructing a model, and testing machine learning techniques for accuracy? Select all that apply.
- Visualizations
- Database ready for modeling
- Machine learning model (CORRECT)
- Stakeholders updated (CORRECT)
Correct: And finally, once the modeling decisions and all the machine learning decisions are made, the machine learning model can be delivered and stakeholders updated on the results once it has been constructed with machine learning techniques tested for accuracy.
Test Your Knowledge: Communicate Like a Data Professional
1. Which PACE stage involves acquiring new skills for data work?
- Plan (CORRECT)
- Execute
- Construct
- Analyze
Correct: During the plan stage of the PACE workflow, one acquires the necessary expertise and knowledge that will be required to do the actual data work. Project requirements have to be understood, resource requirements identified, and preparation made for the tasks to be undertaken in later stages.
2. Which PACE stage involves preparing data in order to reveal the stories data tells?
- Plan
- Analyze (CORRECT)
- Construct
- Execute
Correct: The understand stage of the process in PACE involves preparing and examining the data to uncover further insights and stories it reveals. This means cleaning, transforming, and exploring the data for patterns and trends.
QUIZ: MODULE 4 CHALLENGE
1. What are some strategies to use when practicing active listening? Select all that apply.
- Avoid taking notes while someone is speaking
- Stay involved during meetings (CORRECT)
- Consider all viewpoints (CORRECT)
- Try to understand the speaker’s point of view (CORRECT)
Correct!
2. Fill in the blank: In the construct stage of the PACE model, data professionals build, interpret, and revise _____ and machine learning algorithms in order to uncover relationships within the data and unlock related insights.
- datasets
- visualizations
- models (CORRECT)
- dashboards
Correct!
3. A data professional uses their communication skills to present findings and share the story they have unlocked from the data with others. What stage of the PACE model does this scenario describe?
- Execute (CORRECT)
- Plan
- Construct
- Analyze
Correct!
4. All communicative exchanges contain key elements. Which element involves considering the audience of a particular communication?
- Consideration
- Sender
- Purpose
- Receiver (CORRECT)
Correct!
5. Which of the following are best practices when communicating about data in a professional setting? Select all that apply.
- Use technical language.
- Be efficient. (CORRECT)
- Use proper punctuation. (CORRECT)
- Use direct language. (CORRECT)
Correct!
6. In which stage of the PACE framework would a data professional prioritize effective communication with team members and stakeholders?
- All four stages (CORRECT)
- Analyze
- Plan
- Construct
Correct!
7. What are some strategies to use when practicing active listening? Select all that apply.
- Prioritize your own insights over competing ideas
- Try to understand why an idea is being shared (CORRECT)
- Look beyond your personal or team goals (CORRECT)
- Verify your meeting notes with someone who also attended the meeting (CORRECT)
Correct!
8. Which section of a project proposal includes groupings of tasks within the project, which break up the work into more manageable goals?
- Deliverables
- Milestones (CORRECT)
- Stakeholders
- Project objectives
Correct!
9. In the plan stage of the PACE model, what questions might a data professional ask themself? Select all that apply.
- How can the data be cleaned and converted into a usable format?
- What are the goals of the project? (CORRECT)
- What strategies will be needed? (CORRECT)
- How will the business or operation be affected by the plan? (CORRECT)
Correct!
10. A data professional uses their communication skills to give recommendations based on data findings to internal and external stakeholders. What stage of the PACE model does this scenario describe?
- Plan
- Construct
- Analyze
- Execute (CORRECT)
Correct!
11. Which of the following are best practices when communicating? Select all that apply.
- Use longer sentences when explaining complex ideas.
- Draft messages using proper grammar. (CORRECT)
- Aim to minimize wordiness. (CORRECT)
- Strive for clarity. (CORRECT)
Correct!
12. Fill in the blank: Effective _____ is used to improve the workflow in all PACE framework stages.
- storytelling
- communication (CORRECT)
- data cleaning
- modeling
Correct!
13. All communicative exchanges contain key elements. Which element involves considering why the communication is taking place?
- Receiver
- Sender
- Reasoning
- Purpose (CORRECT)
Correct!
14. Which section of a project proposal is a brief explanation of what the project is trying to achieve?
- Outcomes
- Milestones
- Project objective (CORRECT)
- Project title
Correct!
15. What stage of the PACE model begins with identifying the informational needs of the organization?
- Plan (CORRECT)
- Execute
- Analyze
- Construct
Correct!
16. Fill in the blank: In the construct stage of the PACE model, data professionals build, interpret, and revise models and _____ in order to uncover relationships within the data and unlock related insights.
- visualizations
- machine learning algorithms (CORRECT)
- dashboards
- datasets
Correct!
17. Which of the following are best practices when communicating? Select all that apply.
- Save time by using abbreviations and other acronyms
- When drafting a message, keep vocabulary simple. (CORRECT)
- Strive to avoid unnecessary details. (CORRECT)
- Break complex ideas into shorter sentences. (CORRECT)
Correct!
18. All communicative exchanges contain key elements. Which element involves considering how one’s personal biases might affect their communication?
- Sender (CORRECT)
- Purpose
- Receiver
- Context
Correct!
19. What does the acronym PACE stand for?
- Prepare, assess, create, and engage
- Project, arrange, conceive, and enforce
- Plan, analyze, construct, and execute (CORRECT)
- Plot, aggregate, concatenate, and equate
Correct: PACE is an acronym that stands for plan, analyze, construct, and execute. Each element of the PACE framework represents an actionable stage in a project.
20. Which element of communicative exchange refers to crafting a message or communication?
- Result
- Sender (CORRECT)
- Receiver
- Purpose
Correct: The sender element of communicative exchange refers to crafting a message or communication. The data professional is the sender.
21. Fill in the blank: During the lessons involving career resources, you will be operating in the _____ stage as you collect information about your future as a data professional.
- Planning (CORRECT)
- executing
- analyzing
- constructing
Correct: You will be using the information sources around the lessons for career resources during the planning stage as you collect pertinent information. At this stage, you define the boundaries of your research and discover the informational needs of your organization so that you have the appropriate resources and direction to take the next steps.