Creating Data Summaries and Insights

Raw data is meaningless until you extract insights. ChatGPT can help you synthesize data into clear summaries, identify what matters, and communicate findings effectively.

From Data to Insight

The journey of data analysis:

Raw Data → Patterns → Insights → Recommendations → Action

ChatGPT helps at every stage except collecting the raw data.

Summarizing Data

Quick Summary

Executive Summary

Identifying Insights

Finding What Matters

Comparing Performance

Spotting Anomalies

Building Recommendations

Data-Driven Recommendations

Prioritizing Actions

Visualization Recommendations

Choosing the Right Chart

Chart Types by Purpose

Purpose	Best Chart Types
Trends over time	Line chart, area chart
Comparing categories	Bar chart, column chart
Part of whole	Pie chart (few items), stacked bar
Relationship	Scatter plot
Distribution	Histogram, box plot
Many dimensions	Heat map, bubble chart

Describing Your Chart

Creating Dashboard Summaries

Dashboard Overview

KPI Analysis

Communicating Findings

Writing Insight Statements

Different Audiences

Building Reports from Data

Structure a Data Report

Data Story Arc

Practice Exercise

Key Takeaways

1. Data tells a story - Your job is to find and tell it
2. Start with the "so what" - Lead with implications, not just numbers
3. Match visualization to message - Choose charts that highlight your point
4. Know your audience - Executives, managers, and teams need different depth
5. Connect to action - Insights without recommendations waste potential
6. Verify important findings - Double-check surprising or critical insights
7. Keep it simple - One clear insight beats five confusing ones

Turning data into insights is a high-value skill. Next, let's learn how to create effective presentations.