Overview

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Power BI is a powerful business intelligence platform that enables organizations to transform raw data into actionable insights. This course focuses on building a strong foundation in Power BI while developing the skills needed to design scalable and effective BI solutions in real-world environments. Throughout this course, learners will explore Power BI’s architecture, licensing models, and collaboration features to make informed design decisions. By understanding concepts such as storage modes, semantic models, and dataflows, participants will be able to create efficient data solutions and optimize report distribution strategies. What sets this course apart is its problem-solution-explanation approach, which combines conceptual knowledge with practical application. Learners will gain clarity on why specific architectural decisions are made and how to apply best practices in real-world BI scenarios. This course is ideal for data professionals, business analysts, and IT practitioners looking to strengthen their Power BI expertise. A basic understanding of data concepts and reporting tools is recommended. This course is part one of a three-course Specialization designed to provide a comprehensive learning pathway in this subject area. While it delivers standalone value and practical skills, learners seeking a more integrated and in-depth progression may benefit from completing the full Specialization.

Syllabus

Decoding Power BI

This module introduces the core features of Power BI, including connecting to data sources, building and enhancing semantic models, and leveraging the Power BI service for report sharing and collaboration. Learners will also explore dataflows for data transformation and discover how to track business objectives using goals and scorecards. By the end, you'll be equipped to create, enhance, and share insightful Power BI reports.

Power BI Licensing

This module explores the various Power BI licensing options, including Fabric Capacity, Premium Per User, Premium Per Capacity, EM SKUs, and Report Server licensing. Learners will gain a clear understanding of how different licenses impact Power BI capabilities and deployment scenarios. By the end, you will be able to select and justify the most appropriate licensing model for specific business needs.

Understanding Collaboration and Distribution in Power BI

This module explores the various methods for sharing and distributing Power BI reports and dashboards, including the use of workspaces, apps, and granular permissions. Learners will gain practical knowledge on selecting the most appropriate sharing strategy for different collaboration scenarios. By the end, you will be able to confidently manage report access and distribution within Power BI environments.

Power BI Usage Patterns

This module explores how organizations can effectively adopt Power BI, focusing on self-service business intelligence and enterprise report distribution. Learners will discover best practices for publishing reports and ensuring data quality through stewardship. By the end, you'll understand the key steps and considerations for successful Power BI deployment.

Deciding on the Storage Mode

This module guides learners through the process of selecting the appropriate storage mode for semantic models, considering factors such as performance, data residency, and security requirements. Learners will explore the use of composite models and aggregations to optimize data handling and report responsiveness. Practical steps for creating and mapping aggregation tables in Power BI are also covered.

Deciding on an Intermediate Data Store

This module explores the selection and configuration of intermediate data storage solutions in Power BI, focusing on the differences between dataflows and datamarts. Learners will gain practical knowledge of integrating Azure Data Lake and Azure SQL Database as storage layers and understand how these choices impact data accessibility and transformation workflows.