Looker for Data Exploration and Reporting

Introduction:

In the age of big data, organizations need robust tools to harness the power of data for strategic decision-making. Looker is a leading data exploration and business intelligence (BI) platform that empowers users to analyze, visualize, and report on data from various sources seamlessly. This course is designed for professionals who want to master Looker’s features for data exploration, reporting, and dashboard creation. Through hands-on exercises, participants will learn how to derive actionable insights from their data, create comprehensive reports, and facilitate data-driven decision-making within their organizations. Whether you're a data analyst, business intelligence professional, or executive, this course will equip you with the skills needed to leverage Looker effectively.

Course Objective:

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Understand the fundamentals of Looker and its role in modern data analytics.

• Navigate the Looker interface and its core functionalities.

• Create and customize dashboards and reports for data exploration.

• Use Looker’s modeling language (LookML) for advanced data manipulation and reporting.

• Collaborate with team members using Looker’s sharing and scheduling features.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to Looker and Data Analytics

• Overview of data analytics and business intelligence.

• Introduction to Looker: features, benefits, and architecture.

• Understanding Looker’s data exploration capabilities.

• Hands-on: Setting up a Looker account and navigating the interface.

Module 2: Getting Started with Looker

• Understanding the Looker environment: looks, dashboards, and explores.

• Connecting Looker to various data sources (SQL databases, BigQuery, etc.).

• Overview of Looker’s data model and how it supports analysis.

• Hands-on: Connecting to data sources and exploring datasets.

Module 3: Data Exploration Basics

• Creating and modifying looks: tables, charts, and visualizations.

• Utilizing filters and parameters for dynamic data exploration.

• Saving and sharing looks for collaboration.

• Hands-on: Building your first look and sharing it with others.

Module 4: Advanced Data Visualization Techniques

• Designing interactive dashboards with multiple visualizations.

• Using custom visualization types to enhance data presentation.

• Implementing drill-downs for detailed analysis.

• Hands-on: Creating a multi-faceted dashboard for a specific use case.

Module 5: Introduction to LookML

• Understanding LookML: the language of Looker for data modeling.

• Exploring the components of LookML: views, models, and explores.

• Writing basic LookML to define metrics and dimensions.

• Hands-on: Creating your first LookML model and exploring data.

Module 6: Advanced LookML Techniques

• Building complex LookML models with joins and derived tables.

• Utilizing user attributes and access filters for data governance.

• Debugging and optimizing LookML models for performance.

• Hands-on: Enhancing a LookML model for advanced reporting.

Module 7: Reporting and Scheduling in Looker

• Creating scheduled reports for regular data distribution.

• Exploring the dashboard scheduling and alerting features.

• Setting up Looker API for automated reporting and data integration.

• Hands-on: Configuring a scheduled report and setting alerts.

Module 8: Collaboration and Sharing Insights

• Using Looker’s built-in collaboration tools for team engagement.

• Sharing dashboards and looks with stakeholders securely.

• Integrating Looker with other BI tools and applications.

• Hands-on: Sharing insights and collaborating on projects using Looker.

Module 9: Best Practices for Data Exploration and Reporting

• Understanding data governance and security in Looker.

• Best practices for dashboard design and data visualization.

• Troubleshooting common issues in Looker reports and dashboards.

• Hands-on: Reviewing and optimizing an existing Looker dashboard.

Module 10: Capstone Project and Course Wrap-Up

• Recap of key concepts and skills learned throughout the course.

• Capstone project: Participants will develop a comprehensive reporting solution using Looker, showcasing their ability to explore and visualize data effectively.

• Presentation and feedback session on capstone projects.

Course Duration:

40 hours of instructor-led or self-paced learning.

Target Audience:

Data analysts, business intelligence professionals, executives, and anyone interested in leveraging Looker for data exploration and reporting.