Storytelling and Persuading with Data and Digital Technology

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Storytelling and Persuading with Data and Digital Technology

This course is part of Transforming Your Company's Data Analytics Specialization

Instructor: William A. Brantley

Included with

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

10 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

7 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

10 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

7 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Design data‑driven decision systems that align teams, strategies, and company goals.
Apply emerging digital tools such as low‑code apps, AI, and RPA to enhance analytics and productivity.
Use storytelling and foresight tools to communicate insights and influence outcomes.
Turn organizational data into actionable insights that drive smarter business decisions.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Microsoft PowerPoint

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

25 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Transforming Your Company's Data Analytics Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

Turn data into decisions that move your organization forward. In this course, you’ll learn how to transform your business into a true “decision factory” — where analytics, data products, and digital technologies drive smarter choices, stronger alignment, and greater impact.

Through practical frameworks and hands-on insights, you’ll discover how to combine data storytelling, foresight, and scenario planning to improve the quality and speed of decision-making. You’ll learn how to identify your organization’s key decisions, map data needs, and build processes for reliable, evidence-based choices — even when information is incomplete or ambiguous. You’ll also explore the latest trends shaping digital transformation, including the rise of low-code/no-code analytics, AI, and robotic process automation (RPA). By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to lead with data, design better decisions, and help your organization compete in today’s fast-changing digital landscape.

Begin with the fundamentals of storytelling and learn how to apply the And‑But‑Therefore (ABT) framework to craft compelling narratives. Explore methods for selecting and integrating the right data to strengthen your story’s impact.

What's included

5 videos11 readings6 assignments

5 videosTotal 31 minutes

1.1.1 The Basics of Storytelling6 minutes
1.2.1 Compelling Storytelling with the ABT Framework Video6 minutes
1.3.1 Selecting the Right Data Video5 minutes
1.4.1 Creating a Story from Data Video7 minutes
1.5.1 Thinking in Data Stories Video7 minutes

11 readingsTotal 21 minutes

Welcome!1 minute
Course Syllabus2 minutes
Course Instructor1 minute
FAQs1 minute
The Basics of Storytelling Summary Points3 minutes
Compelling Storytelling with the ABT Framework Summary Points3 minutes
Selecting the Right Data Summary Points2 minutes
Creating a Story from Data Summary Points3 minutes
Thinking in Data Stories Summary Points3 minutes
Week 1 References1 minute
Don't Forget to Claim You Some PDUs!1 minute

6 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

1.1.3 The Basics of Storytelling Knowledge Check5 minutes
1.2.3. Compelling Storytelling with the ABT Framework Knowledge Check5 minutes
1.3.3 Selecting the Right Data Knowledge Check5 minutes
1.4.3 Creating a Story from Data Knowledge Check5 minutes
1.5.3 Thinking in Data Stories Knowledge Check5 minutes
Week 1 Quiz15 minutes

Build effective and visually engaging data presentations. Discover the principles of strong presentation design, apply insights from neuroscience to improve retention, and learn best practices for creating persuasive online presentations.

What's included

5 videos6 readings6 assignments

5 videosTotal 43 minutes

2.1.1 The Rules of Good Presentations Video7 minutes
2.2.1 Brain-Friendly Presentation Design Video10 minutes
2.3.1 Creating Good Data Visualizations Video10 minutes
2.4.1 Beyond Bullet-Points Presentation Planning and Delivery Video7 minutes
2.5.1 Compelling Online Presentations Video9 minutes

6 readingsTotal 24 minutes

The Rules of Good Presentations Summary Points4 minutes
Brain-Friendly Presentation Design Summary Points4 minutes
Creating Good Data Visualizations Summary Points6 minutes
Beyond Bullet-Points Presentation Planning and Delivery Summary Points4 minutes
Compelling Online Presentations Summary Points5 minutes
Week 2 References1 minute

6 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

2.1.3 The Rules of Good Presentations Knowledge Check5 minutes
2.2.3 Brain-Friendly Presentation Design Knowledge Check5 minutes
2.3.3 Creating Good Data Visualizations Knowledge Check5 minutes
2.4.3 Beyond Bullet-Points Presentation Planning and Delivery Knowledge Check5 minutes
2.5.3 Compelling Online Presentations Knowledge Check5 minutes
Week 2 Quiz15 minutes

Examine the art of persuasion and apply the Elegant Pitch tool to design impactful proposals. Gain strategies for recovering from unsuccessful pitches and helping decision‑makers reach a “yes” through self‑persuasion.

What's included

5 videos6 readings6 assignments

5 videosTotal 38 minutes

3.1.1 What Persuades People? Video5 minutes
3.2.1 Presence, Logic, and Emotions in Persuasion Video5 minutes
3.3.1 The Perfect Pitch Tool for Persuasion Video4 minutes
3.4.1 Recovering from a Bad Proposal Video11 minutes
3.5.1 Helping the Decision Maker Persuade Themselves Video12 minutes

6 readingsTotal 17 minutes

What Persuades People? Summary Points2 minutes
Presence, Logic, and Emotions in Persuasion Summary Points2 minutes
The Perfect Pitch Tool for Persuasion Summary Points2 minutes
Recovering from a Bad Proposal Summary Points5 minutes
Helping the Decision Maker Persuade Themselves Summary Points5 minutes
Week 3 References1 minute

6 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

3.1.3 What Persuades People? Knowledge Check5 minutes
3.2.3 Presence, Logic, and Emotions in Persuasion Knowledge Check5 minutes
3.3.3 The Perfect Pitch Tool for Persuasion Knowledge Check5 minutes
3.4.3 Recovering from a Bad Proposal Knowledge Check5 minutes
3.5.3 Helping the Decision Maker Persuade Themselves Knowledge Check5 minutes
Week 3 Quiz15 minutes

Explore how customer education drives success in data‑driven organizations. Learn to design customer training programs and leverage data storytelling techniques to help clients and users get the most value from analytics products.

What's included

5 videos6 readings6 assignments

5 videosTotal 34 minutes

4.1.1 Why Organizations Need to Train Their Customers Video8 minutes
4.2.1 Creating the Customer Training Program Video7 minutes
4.3.1 Training Customers with Data Analytics Products6 minutes
4.4.1 Engaging Customers with Data Analysis Video5 minutes
4.5.1 Training Customers with Data Stories Video7 minutes

6 readingsTotal 17 minutes

Why Organizations Need to Train Their Customers Summary Points3 minutes
Creating the Customer Training Program Summary Points4 minutes
Training Customers with Data Analytics Products Summary Points2 minutes
Engaging Customers with Data Analysis Summary Points3 minutes
Training Customers with Data Stories Summary Points4 minutes
Week 4 References1 minute

6 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

4.1.3 Why Organizations Need to Train Their Customers Knowledge Check5 minutes
4.2.3 Creating the Customer Training Program Knowledge Check5 minutes
4.3.3 Training Customers with Data Analytics Products Knowledge Check5 minutes
4.4.3 Engaging Customers with Data Analysis Knowledge Check5 minutes
4.5.3 Training Customers with Data Stories Knowledge Check5 minutes
Week 4 Quiz15 minutes

What's included

3 readings1 assignment

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

William A. Brantley

University of Maryland, College Park

12 Courses8,129 learners

Offered by

University of Maryland, College Park

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