Summarizing Business Requirements in Data Analysis
Subject Title
Short description explaining what the learner will understand after completing this study map.
Business Requirements & the Audience
A data analyst translates business requests into requirements for data, access, reporting, and delivery. Start by understanding who will consume the information, what they need to learn from it, where the data comes from, and how the result will reach them.
The audience influences the data content, level of detail, permissions, presentation style, accessibility requirements, and delivery method of a report or dashboard.
Who?
Identify the intended consumers and distribution list.
What?
Define the information and insights each consumer actually needs.
Where?
Document the original source systems, queries, views, calculations, and models.
How & When?
Specify viewing format, delivery channel, refresh frequency, and recurring schedule.
Essential Terms
Tap each card to review vocabulary used when converting reporting needs into practical requirements.
Audience & Communication Approaches
Different consumers require different levels of detail, access, and language. Communication should be designed for the persona receiving the information.
| Consumer | Typical information need | Communication consideration |
|---|---|---|
| C-level executives | Organizational perspective and decision-support information | Emphasize high-level insights rather than record-level detail. |
| Management | Department or business-process detail | Provide enough detail to understand and act on operational results. |
| External vendors / stakeholders | Information necessary for the external relationship | Do not expose unrelated internal or confidential information. |
| General public | Approved public information | Never provide direct access to internal systems merely to support public reporting. |
| Technical experts | Technical detail relevant to implementation or analysis | Technical terminology may be appropriate when it aids the task. |
Technical, Non-Technical & Sensitive Communication
The same underlying process can be described differently depending on the audience. Data sensitivity adds another layer: analysts must know what can be shared, with whom, and where it may be stored.
Technical Audience
Technical language can describe implementation details, such as using a webhook or trigger to run an API.
Non-Technical Audience
Explain the business effect: for example, when a new record is added, it will be written to the data warehouse.
Mixed Audience
Bridge both perspectives: explain the technology and immediately connect it to the resulting business process.
Sensitive Information
Classify information, limit access, follow organizational policy, and consider masking or de-identifying fields when appropriate.
Is the information potentially sensitive? Who needs it and who must be limited? Where can reports or files containing it be stored safely?
From Business Request to Deliverable
Requirements gathering connects the audience, data source, access controls, report design, and delivery schedule.
Record source systems, queries, calculations, and logic so others can maintain the work, troubleshoot issues, return to it later, and answer questions about data origin.
Data Sources, Permissions, Views & Models
A report is only useful when its data source and access model are understood. Analysts may have broader backend access than the people who consume their reports.
Report & Dashboard Delivery Explorer
Select a tab to compare common ways that information can be consumed and delivered.
Accessibility, Frequency & Recurring Reports
Usability requirements continue after a report is built. Reports should be accessible, appropriately secured, and delivered on a schedule that matches how often the underlying data changes.
Accessibility
Use meaningful alternate text for images, identify decorative images, provide captions or transcripts for video, and test with accessibility features such as screen readers and high-contrast viewing.
Refresh Timing
Document how frequently the data is updated and make the report's data currency clear to consumers.
Recurring Reports
A recurring schedule defines the report, its output, and who receives it. Delivery may be automated according to organizational policy and audience preferences.
Access Controls
Workspace permissions and row-level security can restrict consumers to the information they are permitted to see.
A live or continuously updated source may suit an interactive dashboard, while data refreshed only periodically may be adequately served by a scheduled static report.
Do not assume that everyone who receives a report should also receive direct access to its source system. A restricted view, model, export, or other controlled delivery method may be required.
Knowledge Check
Test your understanding of audience needs, source documentation, permissions, accessibility, and report delivery.