Hackathon Details: Enhancing Data Visualization Skills in Tableau

BUS$336,$ Spring $2024$

Negar Ganjouhaghighi

Welcome to the Data Visualization Hackathon designed to improve your skills in Tableau and

unleash your creativity in analyzing and presenting data effectively. Here's what you need to

know:

Objective:

The main objective of this project is to enhance your proficiency in data visualization using

Tableau. You will have the opportunity to choose a topic of your interest, find a dataset, analyze

it$,$ and present your findings in an insightful and compelling manner.

Project Guidelines:

$1.$ Topic Selection:

$$ Choose a topic for which you can find a dataset with multiple variables and

sufficient observations.

$$ Ensure your topic has a clear story and a meaningful message, aimed at assisting

decision$-$makers. In fact, it is necessary for each team to explicitly identify who

the decision$-$makers are and what problems$/$opportunities they attempt to

address.

$$ Examples include analyzing grocery store data to optimize store layout for Saveon$-$Foods, leveraging social media usage for a Lululemon marketing manager$$s

targeted advertising decision, or evaluating housing prices in different

neighborhoods for Vesta Properties to identify their next project.

$2.$ Dataset Acquisition and Analysis:

$$ Utilize SFU databases or other credible sources to find a suitable dataset. $($Watch

the videos made by our librarian, Mark, for the course$)$

$$ Thoroughly review the dataset, addressing missing values and outliers.

$$ Begin early as finding the right dataset might require iterations and adjustments

to your chosen topic.

$3.$ Data Visualization in Tableau:

$$ Utilize Tableau software to create interactive and visually appealing dashboards.

Deliverables:

$$ Report:

$$ Submit a $500-600$ words report containing a clear conclusion and a discussion of

the main message conveyed through your data visualization.

$$ Include an appendix listing all resources used in your analysis and attach your

Tableau dashboard $($either as a working link or PDF$)$

$$ Recorded Presentation:

$$ Submit a $3-$minute recorded presentation via Canvas.

$$ Ensure all presenters' cameras are on during the presentation, which can be

conducted over Zoom. All group members should participate in the presentation.

$$ The presentation will be peer$-$reviewed and graded by the instructor, using three

main criteria, namely $(1)$ how relevant is the analysis to the decision$-$maker$$s

problem? $(2)$ How trustworthy is the analysis? $($e$.$g$.,$ proper data cleaning,

appropriate sample, and$/$or explicit discussion of assumptions to make up for

data limitation$),$ and $(3)$ How is the analysis clearly communicated? $($e$.$g$.,$ clear

labeling of axes$).$

$$ Hackathon:

$$ The top $20$ teams with the highest grades for the recorded presentation will

advance to the next round and present in class on April $11$th$.$

$$ The $20$ finalists will be announced on April $11$th$.$ Which means all of you

should attend and be ready to present your work.

$$ You will have $3$ minutes.

$$ For the hackathon, it is up to your team to decide whether all team members will

present or if one member will represent the group during the presentation. $($no

penalty or reward$)$

$$ Industry judges and Tableau representatives will be present during the

Hackathon.

$$ Attendance, participation, and feedback from all students are expected.