Data Visualisation for Insights at Workwhile

The Approach

Power BI was chosen primarily because it can natively integrate all required data sources, which was not possible with Tableau or Looker Studio. In addition, as a Microsoft product, it is already available within Workwhile’s existing technology environment, making it easier to access and maintain. A custom-built solution was not pursued, as it would have created potential knowledge and maintenance barriers for the Workwhile team once ownership of the dashboard was transferred.

Once they decided on the software, the actual building of the dashboard was relatively straightforward and familiar to anyone who has built one before. The biggest challenge for the volunteer was understanding the data and how it all linked together. They worked iteratively, starting with a very simple prototype and building towards the specification with each bit of feedback.

“Thank you for the project, it was so helpful for us and will continue to be long into the future.”

The Client

Workwhile’s vision is of an equitable world of work, where everyone has access to meaningful, lasting employment. They work with employers to create high-quality apprenticeships using their large network of businesses and training providers. Delivery is via a practical support service for SMEs, and by redistributing unspent levy funds from large businesses to SMEs.

The Client's Problem

Workwhile’s data is spread across different locations with limited capacity to (1) combine their data, (2) to visualise their data as they require and (3) to derive insights from their data.

The Solution

The solution to their problem was to create a dashboard that could bring all the data together with custom visualisations, resulting in actionable insights.

The deliverable was a dashboard that allowed Workwhile’s data to be interrogated in a variety of different ways. This included:

  • How employers, providers and donors were linked to each other
  • Demographic statistics on individual apprentice that could be filtered in a variety of views
  • What sectors are being supported
  • The link between geography of where an apprenticeship was funded, where the apprentice lived and where the apprentice was employed

The Benefits

  • The dashboard is being used regularly to allow Workwhile to make full use of the story that their data is telling. In strategy meetings they can now quickly pull out key figures live in the meeting to aid discussion. Staff members are saving a lot of time in reporting to their current funders, where previously they had to laboriously create new spreadsheets each month.
  • Both the volunteer and the organisation enjoyed seeing how many new insights Workwhile could see in their data, just by presenting it in a new way.

 

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