Turning Numbers into Narratives:

During my internship, I worked on a project to analyze supplier performance, focusing on reducing turnaround time (TAT) using RFID technology. A dashboard that compiled important indicators, including the average amount by suppliers, monthly data trends by week and fortnight, and supplier count by total TAT time, was at the heart of this project. Data visualization played a crucial role in this project, transforming complex datasets into actionable insights and helping me convey my ideas clearly to stakeholders. However, my journey to understanding data visualization didn't start here; it began in a course I took called "Data Visualization for Decision Makers" (DVDM).

DVDM Course: Learn to Transform Data into Engaging Visual Stories:

Before I enrolled in the DVDM course with Dr. Senthil, data visualization was just a fancy buzzword that I didn’t fully understand. Tools like Power BI and Tableau sounded daunting and overly technical. But as I went through the 24 sessions with Dr. Senthil, he broke down the complexities into simple, clear concepts, transforming data visualization into something approachable, valuable, and even enjoyable.

We began with Power BI, a tool that's practically essential in today’s data-driven world. Dr. Senthil showed us how to transform massive amounts of raw data into meaningful visuals-charts, graphs, maps-that reveal hidden patterns and trends. With Power BI, I learned how a well-designed chart can be more effective than a thousand words, especially in conveying insights quickly.

Next, we explored Tableau, which added a new layer of interactivity to our visuals. Tableau allows for the creation of dashboards that are not only informative but also interactive, enabling users to dive into the data themselves. Dr. Senthil emphasized the importance of simplicity and clarity in visual design, showing us how a well-crafted visual can make even the most complicated insights easy to grasp.

Unpacking Trends with Weekly and Fortnightly Analyses

One of the critical insights I had to deliver during my internship was the monthly data trends across different weeks and fortnights. By visually representing data for April, December, February, January, March, and May, broken down by week and fortnight, I could clearly highlight fluctuations and patterns. For instance, the bar charts showed supplier activity over time, helping to pinpoint high-activity periods. This understanding was essential for anticipating demand and planning resources, making my recommendations to the team much more compelling

Supplier Performance at a Glance

Supplier performance was another area where visualization added value. The donut chart provided an "Average of Average" view of the amounts associated with each supplier. With this layout, the team could quickly identify our major suppliers-such as Danlaw Technologies India Ltd., which accounted for over a third of our activity. Rather than presenting these figures in a table or list, the visual structure of the chart allowed for an immediate grasp of the most significant suppliers and their contributions.

Total TAT Time for Immediate Action

One of the project’s main objectives was reducing TAT. Visualizing the TAT by breaking it down into different time intervals—0-3 hours, 3-6 hours, and so on revealed the distribution of supplier response times. This helped spotlight areas where delays were occurring. For example, many suppliers fell into the 0-3 hour range, indicating a strong baseline, but longer intervals hinted at improvement opportunities. I could effectively advocate for strategies targeting specific suppliers and intervals by highlighting these findings visually.

Creating Impact with Interactive Dashboards

Beyond static visuals, having an interactive dashboard allowed my mentors and colleagues to explore the data themselves. They could filter by specific months or suppliers, drill down into specific weeks or fortnights, and view the precise amounts associated with each supplier. This interactivity not only enriched my presentation but also fostered collaborative decision-making, as stakeholders could interact with the data to answer their questions in real time.

The Power of Visual Storytelling

In a data-rich environment, it’s easy for critical information to get lost in translation. However, data visualization transformed these details into an engaging story. By guiding viewers through each visualization, I could tell a cohesive story of how each factor's monthly trends, supplier contributions, and TAT performance contributed to the overall goal of TAT reduction. The dashboard provided clarity, turning complex data into a narrative that anyone could follow and connect with.

Applying My Skills in the Real World

When it came time to apply these skills in my internship, I felt prepared and confident. The dashboard I created showed critical insights into supplier performance. Through data visualization, I could communicate complex metrics like weekly and fortnightly trends, average supplier amounts, and TAT time distributions at a glance. The pie chart showing supplier contributions and the bar charts comparing TAT times visually represented important KPIs, making it easy for the team to spot areas for improvement.

The project helped me realize that effective data visualization is more than just presenting numbers; it’s about making the data understandable and actionable. Thanks to Dr. Senthil's course, I had the skills to create visuals that not only conveyed information but also spurred decision-making. Now, whenever I see a chart or graph, I appreciate the art and strategy behind it.

Conclusion

My internship experience underscored the power of data visualization in today’s data-driven world. Through carefully designed charts, graphs, and an interactive dashboard, I was able to convey my insights effectively, empowering the team to make data-informed decisions. More than a tool, data visualization became the language I used to communicate my project’s impact-a skill I’ll carry forward into all future roles. For anyone looking to transform their data into action, visualization is the key to making your message resonate.

Thank you, Dr. Senthil, for teaching us these valuable skills in such a practical, clear, and engaging way. This course has truly changed the way I look at data and the stories it can tell.