Tableau

Tableau was founded by three individuals at Stanford: Chris Stolte, Pat Hanrahan, and Christian Chabot. They pioneered an easy drag-and-drop workflow that made for a highly intuitive interface. Salesforce acquired them in 2019, who continues to improve and market the product today.

Data analytics is all about cutting through the jumble of numbers and figures from various sources to see the real picture of what’s actually going on. Tableau focuses on building a highly interactive and usable user experience (UX).

Through a variety of graphs, charts, heat maps, and more, Tableau allows companies to know what products are selling and where, how various price points are impacting profitability, where to invest, and much more.

It’s engineered to be highly flexible, so no matter the size or industry, data can be viewed in a way that’s useful. It also supports the highest level of security, so data is safe.

Learning Tableau can be incredibly beneficial as it equips you with the skills to visually analyze and present data effectively. With Tableau, you can easily create interactive and insightful dashboards, making complex data easy to understand for decision-makers. Whether you're a data analyst, business professional, or student, mastering Tableau can open up new opportunities for career advancement and enable you to communicate data-driven insights with clarity and impact.

Before diving into Tableau, it's helpful to have a strong foundation in data analysis and visualization concepts. Understanding basic statistical concepts like averages, distributions, and correlations will be beneficial. Additionally, having proficiency in Excel can be advantageous, as Tableau often complements Excel's capabilities. Familiarity with databases and SQL can also be useful, as Tableau often connects to various data sources. Finally, a basic understanding of data cleaning and preparation techniques will make your Tableau journey smoother.

Demand for Tableau is growing. The platform is viewed as being an industry disruptor and giving more established systems like Power BI from Microsoft a run for their money. This is why having skills in Tableau can put you in high demand for several types of positions:

• Tableau Consultant

  A consultant can work independently or in-house. These individuals need to possess a solid understanding of the Tableau interface. They often assist with the implementation of Tableau within a company and help them gather, clean, and report the data.

• Data Analyst

  This is usually an in-house position where you prepare and present the finalized reports produced within Tableau. While you aren’t necessarily making the business decisions, the insights you develop from interpreting the data results are a huge factor in what companies decide to do. This is why this is a position of the great responsibility that is in high demand.

• Business Analyst

  While this is related to being a data analyst, it takes it a step further. As a business analyst, you’ll work with high-level individuals within the company or organization to see how those data insights can be put into action to accomplish business goals.

The time it takes to learn Tableau varies depending on your background and goals. For beginners with no prior experience in data analysis or visualization, it may take a few weeks to get comfortable with the basics. With consistent practice and dedication, you can become proficient in Tableau in a few months. However, mastering advanced features and becoming a Tableau expert may take several months to a year or more, depending on the complexity of the projects you tackle and how much time you can devote to learning.

Here are two recommended pathways that include Tableau:

• Applied Bachelor’s Degree in Software Development – Data Analytics Concentration
• Associate of Applied Science in Business Data Analytics

The career outlook for Tableau professionals remains promising, with a growing demand for individuals skilled in data visualization and analytics. As more companies recognize the value of data-driven decision-making, the need for Tableau experts is expected to rise. Roles such as Tableau Developer, Data Analyst, and Business Intelligence Analyst are likely to be in high demand, offering competitive salaries and ample opportunities for career advancement. Upskilling in Tableau can be a valuable investment for those looking to enter or advance in the field of data analytics.