How do you work as an analyst from question to recommendation?
Created with AI.
Use this workflow for a bounded business question. It supports Power BI authors and analysts while helping readers understand what an analysis can and cannot answer.
- 6 steps
- Total time: 45 min
- Preparation: 10 min
- Result: A verifiable analysis with definitions, findings, uncertainty and a proposed action.
Required tools
- Worksheet and approved business application — Practise locally with fictional data. Apply changes in your work only within your agreed role and organisation's routines.
Working routine
1.Clarify the decision before retrieving figures
Ask what the recipient must decide, which alternatives exist and when the answer is needed. Define the period and population. Confirm whether this is recurring reporting or a one-off investigation.
Do this and check the result
Write one decision statement and an answerable question. 'We need a dashboard' is a delivery idea, not a complete analysis question.
2.Check definitions and source data
Identify metric owners and sources. Check row meaning, freshness, missing values, duplicates and table relationships. Resolve disagreements before aggregation.
Do this and check the result
Trace a small sample to its source. Record included and excluded rows and the reasons.
3.Investigate explanations systematically
Compare like periods and populations. Break down findings by relevant factors without searching until a preferred story appears. Separate observation from possible explanation and consider alternatives.
Do this and check the result
Practice case: Total revenue rises while conversion falls in both regions. Investigate volume and customer mix before claiming improved sales effectiveness.
4.Make conclusions verifiable
Show definitions, period, findings and uncertainty beside the visual. Reconcile totals and provide a relevant comparison. Ask a colleague to reproduce the main figure.
Do this and check the result
Write: What we observe / what remains unknown / the next action we recommend. Do not present an assumption as an established causal relationship.
5.Hand over the decision and ongoing ownership
Agree who decides and how the effect will be assessed. For a recurring report, clarify refresh, access, support and ownership. Remove or label obsolete versions according to organisational routines.
Do this and check the result
A useful handover includes definition, source, last verification, limitation, owner and next review date.
Further reading
6.Official product context
The working routines and fictional examples above are ProsessPilotene learning material. Use the official product documentation below for product context; availability depends on your organisation's setup.
Microsoft: BI content ownership and management
Discussion
Ask a question or share what helped you.
