CQUniversity Unit Profile
COIT11240 Dashboard Design and Visualisation
Dashboard Design and Visualisation
All details in this unit profile for COIT11240 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

While organisations can collect a large amount of data about their operations, a continual challenge they face is extracting useful information from that data. Dashboards summarise key information using visualisations and interactive reports. Dashboards are therefore an important tool in supporting decision making in an organisation. In this unit, you will learn how to design dashboards. You will develop skills to condense and encapsulate the characteristics of data, making it easier to analyse trends to drive effective decision-making. You will also learn creative ways to present the insights and findings of data using data visualisation tools and techniques.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2026

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 20%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Project (applied)
Weighting: 30%
4. Presentation
Weighting: 20%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Discipline meeting and student evaluation

Feedback

The lecture needs to be more interactive to enhance student engagement.

Recommendation

Revise the lecture materials to incorporate interactive elements, such as multimedia content and active learning strategies, to enhance student engagement and deepen learning outcomes.

Feedback from Student evaluation

Feedback

The tutorial duration should be extended from one hour to two hours to facilitate more in-depth discussions, incorporate practical activities, and enhance student engagement.

Recommendation

Consider increasing the tutorial duration in the next offering and supplementing it with additional resources to support deeper learning and student engagement.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain the fundamentals of dashboard design and data visualisation
  2. Compare different dashboard design and data visualisation tools
  3. Explain the application of dashboard design and visualisation in summarising key information
  4. Identify the best practices in implementing dashboard design
  5. Design and implement a dashboard for a business case.

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is adopted by organisations, governments and individuals in many countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles. ACS members can use the tool MySFIA (https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/mysfia-b2c.html) to build a skills profile.

This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA 7 (https://www.sfia-online.org/en). The SFIA code is included:

Data Visualisation VISL

Analytics INAN

Business Analysis BUAN

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%
2 - Practical Assessment - 30%
3 - Project (applied) - 30%
4 - Presentation - 20%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - First Nations Knowledges
11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%
2 - Practical Assessment - 30%
3 - Project (applied) - 30%
4 - Presentation - 20%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Microsoft Power BI Dashboards Step by Step

Edition: 1st (2018)
Authors: Errin O'Connor
Microsoft Press
ISBN: 978150930833
Supplementary

Learning Microsoft Power BI

(2022)
Authors: Jeremey Arnold
O'Reilly
ISBN: 9781098112837
Supplementary

The Big Book of Dashboards: Visualizing Your Data Using Real-World Business Scenarios

(2017)
Authors: Steve Wexler, Jeffrey Shaffer, Andy Cotgreave
Wiley
ISBN: 9781119283089

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Tableau Desktop (Version 2019.4.1) (optional)
  • Microsoft Power BI
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Pak Poon Unit Coordinator
p.poon@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026

Module/Topic

Data Visualization: Introduction to Power BI, Architecture & Administration

Chapter

Prescribed textbook: Chapters 1 & 2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026

Module/Topic

Dashboard Use: Visuals in Power BI & Report Development

Chapter

Prescribed textbook: Chapters 2 & 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026

Module/Topic

Design of Executive Sales Dashboards & Report Generation Using Power BI

Chapter

Prescribed textbook: Chapter 5

2nd supplementary book (by Wexler et al.): Chapter 5

 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026

Module/Topic

Reports Using Microsoft Excel

Chapter

Prescribed textbook: Chapter 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1: First Quiz

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026

Module/Topic

Data Analysis Expression (DAX)

Chapter

Power BI documentation from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/

Prescribed textbook: Chapter 14

Events and Submissions/Topic

Practical Assessment Due: Week 5 Friday (10 Apr 2026) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 6 Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026

Module/Topic

Power BI Reports from Access Database

Chapter

Power BI documentation from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026

Module/Topic

Visualization & Gateways

Chapter

Power BI documentation from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 04 May 2026

Module/Topic

Power BI Pro (Service) & Dashboard Creation

Chapter

Power BI documentation from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 11 May 2026

Module/Topic

Power BI Reports from MySQL

Chapter

Power BI documentation from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 18 May 2026

Module/Topic

Emerging Trends & Technologies in Data Visualization

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1: Second Quiz

Week 11 Begin Date: 25 May 2026

Module/Topic

Case Study 1

Chapter

2nd supplementary book (by Wexler et al.): Chapters 9 & 13

Events and Submissions/Topic

Business Report Due: Week 11 Monday (25 May 2026) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026

Module/Topic

Case Study 2

Chapter

2nd supplementary book (by Wexler et al.): Chapter 15

Events and Submissions/Topic

Presentation Due: Week 12 Monday (1 June 2026) 11:55 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation/Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

You should use your lecture and tutorial classes as the first point of contact with the teaching staff. Outside class times, you are encouraged to ask questions in MS Teams. A link to COIT11240 Teams site is available in the "Learning Committee" tile on Moodle. If you have a private matter that you do not want to share with others, then contact the Unit Coordinator (UC) via emails.

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quizzes

Task Description

You will undertake two (2) quizzes on Moodle throughout the term. The quizzes will assess your knowledge of the lecture content and tutorial activities. Some questions may require you to use software, e.g., software demonstrated in lectures and /or used in tutorial activities. Each quiz will consist of multiple questions which may be of various types (e.g., multiple-choice, matching etc.). All quizzes are individual assessments. The two quizzes will be conducted differently:

  • Quiz 1 will be conducted online. You will have a set period of time during Week 4 to complete the Quiz. The quiz has time limits. The quiz time limits, topics, and open/close times can be found on Moodle.
  • Quiz 2 will be conducted in-class, in the 1st hour only, under the supervision of your tutor. You must attend your allocated tutorial class in Week 10. Online students will need undertake Quiz in a Zoom session in week 10 (During the scheduled Online tutorial). Online students will need access to a webcam, speakers and microphone (e.g., headset).

You will not be allowed to take a quiz at any time outside of the specified open/close time unless an Assessment Extension Request is approved. In Quiz 2, if you arrive late for class, you will not be granted extra time. Changes to quiz time can only be granted with approval by the Unit Coordinator.

While quizzes will be open-book (e.g., you can use lecture slides), you will be expected to produce the answers yourself. That is, you are not allowed to communicate with others during the quiz (including other students or people online).

You are assumed to have a working computer and Internet connection during term, and especially during times when attempting a quiz. Technical problems, such as a computer crash or loss of Internet connection, will not usually be a reason for an extra attempt or extension. You are expected to prepare your computer before the quiz starts. If problems outside of your control occur during a quiz, report immediately to your tutor, who may either extend the time or allow you to undertake the quiz at another time (with the Unit Coordinator's approval).

Quiz 1: AI ASSESSMENT SCALE – AI PLANNING

You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any Al-generated content you use.

Quiz 2: AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - NO AI

You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

Quiz 1 is exempt from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed by the stated submission date/time.

Quiz 2 is exempt from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed in the first hour of your Week 10 tutorial class.


Number of Quizzes

2


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Weeks 4 and 10


Return Date to Students

One week after the due date


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

Each quiz is worth 10 marks.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Compare different dashboard design and data visualisation tools
  • Identify the best practices in implementing dashboard design


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment

Task Description

This is an individual task. In this assessment, you will compete data manipulation exercises using Power BI, enabling you to gain insights from data through interactive visualizations. This assessment is designed to strengthen your understanding of data formats, retrieval methods, and analysis techniques. More details of this assessment will be provided via Moodle unit website in Week 2.

AI ASSESSMENT SCALE: AI PLANNING: You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. For example, you can use AI to explore data visualizations and explanations. You must not use AI to write your project report. You must complete all practical tasks yourself (e.g., Data Analysis Expression (DAX) function or create a bar chart).


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (10 Apr 2026) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Friday (1 May 2026)


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

This assessment will be evaluated based on the following two criteria:

  • Knowledge & understanding: Demonstrates a clear understanding of the topic & the given problem.
  • Analytical skills & technical literacy: Uses appropriate analysis techniques to interpret data effectively.
  • Discussion & justification: Evaluates the relevance of the findings based on the analysis.
  • Referencing & citation: Properly includes references & citations where necessary.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
All files must be submitted via Moodle online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the fundamentals of dashboard design and data visualisation
  • Compare different dashboard design and data visualisation tools
  • Explain the application of dashboard design and visualisation in summarising key information


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Social Innovation

3 Project (applied)

Assessment Title
Business Report

Task Description

This is an individual assessment. Your group will produce a business report in the standard business format. In this assessment, you will investigate an organization and provide it with recommendations regarding data processing and analysis. Your objective is to generate meaningful insights from the data. You will also develop an an analytical dashboard using Power BI for the organization and show your analysis on the developed dashboard.

AI ASSESSMENT SCALE: AI PLANNING: You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. For example, you can use AI to explore data cleaning methods, dashboard layouts and understand the project. However, you must not use AI to write your project report. You must complete all practical tasks yourself (e.g., data processing and exploratory data analysis).


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Monday (25 May 2026) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Feedback and marks for this assessment will be released on the certification date as this unit does not have an exam.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Your business report will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Knowledge and understanding: Demonstrates a strong understanding of the topic through the selection, analysis, and presentation of relevant data.
  • Communication and information literacy: Effectively conveys insights with clear discussion, logical structure, and well-supported interpretations. Engages in collaborative dialogue with group members, sharing ideas clearly and providing supporting evidence to help the group succeed.
  • Technical literacy: Showcases proficiency in selecting and integrating appropriate elements within the report, including data visualization where applicable.
  • Critical discussion: Assesses the relevance, accuracy, and appropriateness of the included elements, particularly with respect to the dashboard.
  • Referencing and citations: Uses credible sources and correctly applies referencing standards to support findings.
  • Report structure and presentation: Follows a professional structure with well-organized sections, proper formatting, and clear readability.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the fundamentals of dashboard design and data visualisation
  • Explain the application of dashboard design and visualisation in summarising key information
  • Identify the best practices in implementing dashboard design
  • Design and implement a dashboard for a business case.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Social Innovation

4 Presentation

Assessment Title
Presentation

Task Description

It is an individual recorded presentation based on Assessment 3, where you will showcase your personal contributions through an in-depth analysis of the study, emerging technologies, and relevant tools used to address the case study.

All students are required to delivered an oral presentation that includes:

  • A PowerPoint presentation (in .mp4) that lasts for 5-7 minutes. You must turn on the camera to show you are the person presenting the PowerPoint slides.
  • A demonstration of the dashboard you developed in the assessment. 
  • A clear explanation of your design choices, data insights and the tools or technologies used.

AI ASSESSMENT SCALE: AI PLANNING:  You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Monday (1 June 2026) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Feedback and marks for this assessment will be released on the certification date as this unit does not have an exam.


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

This assessment will be evaluated based on the following key aspects of the presentation:

  • Analysis and critical thinking
  • Presentation structure and content
  • Slide design and visual presentation
  • Delivery and engagement
  • Accuracy and mechanics


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Design and implement a dashboard for a business case.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?