Data Visualization and Reporting
Sara Stacy, PhD (she/her/hers)
Research Associate
University of Cincinnati Evaluation Services Center, United States
Keren Mabisi, MGS
Jr. Research Associate
University of Cincinnati Evaluation Services Center, United States
Location: Grand Ballroom 10
Abstract Information: Evaluators can integrate data dashboards to tell evaluation data stories. PowerBI is an increasingly popular tool for its use to visualize data stories in a dashboard format, produce regular data monitoring reports, and to allow partners to better engage with reporting. While we have explored the growing relevance and utility of PowerBI for evaluation practice and have integrated it into several of our projects, nonetheless we continue to experience challenges with fully embracing this tool. In this roundtable session, we will present both the promises and pitfalls of PowerBI that we have encountered in our experiences with integrating PowerBI into smaller and larger applied evaluation projects, with unique audiences and data structures. For our discussion, we will use engaging facilitation techniques to generate insights shared among attendees, that can be useful for the evaluation field. Potential topics for discussion include: Contexts where PowerBI shines, limitations of PowerBI, relevant resources, training, and/or strategies, and other group-generated insights. What results will be a very pragmatic discussion on when, why, and how PowerBI should be used (or dismissed), from the perspectives of evaluation practitioners. We aim to create a space for folks that are new, emerging, and skilled PowerBI users to generate collective wisdom around topics related to using this tool within the evaluation field to tell data stories.