4th Annual Data Conference Pre-Conference Workshops

Pre-Conference Workshops

Developing Data Analytics Capabilities Conference

March 25 & 26, 2026

 

Add an optional pre-conference workshop on Tuesday, March 24. These offerings can be added to your conference registration for an additional cost at $95 per session.

Morning Sessions (9-11:45 a.m.)

GenAI-Prompt Engineering Basics
Presenter: James Byars

In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) platforms. The session covers prompt engineering techniques to optimize GenAI outputs, as well as internal settings that improve system reliability and functionality. This workshop will also review best practices for configuring GenAI platform profiles. While attendees are encouraged to have access to a GenAI platform to follow along, prior experience or access is not required.

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Power BI for Beginners
Presenter: Scott King & Emily Franklin

This workshop introduces participants to Microsoft Power BI, a business intelligence platform used for data analysis, reporting and visualization. The session familiarizes users with the Power BI environment and prepares them to transform raw data into interactive dashboards and reports that support data-informed decision-making.

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Evaluation Basics to Improve Your Analytics
Presenter: Brian Simmons

This half-day workshop introduces foundational evaluation concepts that help practitioners use data more strategically to strengthen programs and services. Participants will learn how evaluation frameworks can clarify goals, guide data collection and transform analytics into meaningful insights that support program improvement. The workshop emphasizes practical approaches for integrating evaluation thinking into everyday analytic work. Whether participants are new to evaluation or looking to refine how they use data, the session provides tools and strategies to make analytics more purposeful, actionable and improvement focused.

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Human Centered Design
Presenter: Kristina Jaskyte

This pre-conference workshop introduces human-centered design as a practical approach that complements data analytics by strengthening problem framing, stakeholder engagement and the use of data in decision-making. Participants will learn how empathy and context-driven problem definition can improve questions before data collection and analysis and how qualitative, lived-experience insights can be integrated alongside quantitative data. The session also explores applying empathy and stakeholder mapping to improve how data is presented and interpreted, as well as using simple ideation and low-fidelity prototyping to test assumptions and reduce risk.

Data Management Basics
Presenter: Karen Payne

In this session we will discuss how context affects approaches to data management. Professionals in different settings have their own approach, objectives, priorities and culture when approaching data management tasks. In this session, we will describe the driving forces in data management approaches in administrative/business and research settings, and we will look at a vision of the future of global research environments. By the end of the session, participants will be able to identify different types of data management settings and issues that data managers are grappling with in each setting.

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Afternoon Sessions (1:15-4 p.m.)

Power BI for Intermediate
Presenter: Scott King & Emily Franklin

This workshop builds on foundational Power BI skills and focuses on importing, modeling and analyzing data to create enhanced reports and dashboards for diverse audiences. Key topics include developing optimized and scalable data models, using native code to build custom measures and dimensions, and publishing dashboards for public and private audiences.

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Data Strategy Basics
Presenter: David Tanner

This introductory workshop provides an overview of how organizations can develop a data strategy to support smarter decision-making and improved outcomes. A data strategy is an intentional plan for capturing, integrating and using data to advance an organization’s mission and goals. Participants will explore core components of a modern data strategy, including data governance, data quality, analytics maturity and alignment of data initiatives with organizational priorities. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, the session highlights key concepts, common challenges and practical steps for developing an organizational data strategy. This workshop is designed for leaders, managers and teams beginning their data-driven journey.

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AI Frameworks and Policy
Presenter: James Byars & Rex Facer

In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of conventional Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GenAI), along with the internal and external challenges regarding their adoption. The session will also explore public- and private-sector frameworks for guiding organizational policies that promote fairness, accountability, and transparency.

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Qlik - Beginner
Presenter: Christopher Weaver & Igor Alcantara

This workshop introduces Qlik Cloud Analytics, a business intelligence platform for data analysis, reporting and visualization. The workshop acclimates users to the Qlik Cloud environment and prepares users to transform raw data into interactive dashboards and reports to assist in data-informed decision making. 

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Change Management
Presenter: Donald Addison

This pre-conference workshop focuses on building the leadership and change management skills needed to successfully implement data and analytics initiatives in government organizations. Participants will examine why data efforts can stall despite strong technical investments and how culture, communication and leadership influence adoption and change. Through frameworks and real-world examples, the session provides practical strategies for leading teams through change, reducing resistance and accelerating the effective use of data to support decision-making.