NHS Hertfordshire: Massive Productivity Gains Through Strategic Power BI Upskilling

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPU) recognised the need for a data-driven culture to address inefficiencies in reporting and improve patient care outcomes through more informed strategic decision-making. To achieve this, they partnered with The Dot Collective to deliver a tailored Power BI training programme designed to empower their teams with the necessary skills to maximise their Business Intelligence (BI) capabilities.

The impact was profound: post-training confidence in Power Query doubled, Data Modelling improved by 68% and attendees’ ability to use and implement Visuals and Chart Interactions more than doubled.

Transforming Data into Strategic Advantage

The successful adoption of a BI platform requires more than just selecting the right software—it demands an investment in skills. HPU chose The Dot Collective to bridge the skills gap in their Power BI implementation. * 

Led by one of our Microsoft Certified Power BI experts, the programme was meticulously designed with relatable NHS-based dummy data, ensuring familiarity and accelerating the learning process.Participants were equipped not just to generate reports but to transform raw data into actionable insights that could drive efficiency, cost-saving measures and improved patient care.

Beyond technical skills, the training also addressed complimentary analysts skills to ensure the broader business challenge of aligning BI capabilities with strategic priorities.

Building a Robust BI Infrastructure

Implementing a BI platform is a multi-faceted challenge. It requires seamless connectivity to data sources, cost-effectiveness, scalability and, crucially, governance and security compliance. HPU’s training programme covered the full spectrum of BI considerations, from designing a data model and optimising report development workflows to ensuring adherence to governance policies. Attendees explored best practices for data modelling, implicit vs explicit calculations and transforming data at various stages—enhancing both the accuracy and performance of reports.

To maximise the business impact, the training incorporated real-world applications. Attendees engaged in progressively challenging exercises and had the opportunity to bring their own reports for personalised guidance. This practical, person-centric approach enabled immediate application of learning to organisational challenges, fostering a self-sustaining culture of data-driven decision-making.

Leading from the Front

A BI platform is only as effective as its strategic alignment with organisational goals. Business leaders play a pivotal role in shaping reporting standards, defining implementation methodologies and ensuring robust data governance. The training for strategic leaders at HPU delved into these crucial areas, reinforcing the importance of structured roadmaps for implementation.

By focusing on the key considerations i.e. data pipelines, modelling, access, security and reporting standards—leaders gained the knowledge necessary to embed BI within the organisation’s operational fabric. This foundation ensures that data remains not just accessible, but also trusted, enabling teams to make informed decisions.

HPU’s training emphasised the principles of data visualisation, guiding participants in crafting reports that present information intuitively and effectively. Beyond simply understanding Power BI’s features, attendees learned to leverage advanced functionalities like report page tooltips, drill-throughs and interactive buttons to create seamless user experiences. The results spoke for themselves—confidence in Tooltips increased by 167%, while confidence in report testing more than doubled. Attendees left equipped not just with technical expertise, but with the ability to design reports that tell a compelling story—leading to faster, more accurate decision-making across the organisation.

Prove it

The investment in BI training at HPU was not just about learning a tool—it was about fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making that delivers tangible business outcomes. By the end of the programme, attendees had the skills, confidence and strategic mindset to drive efficiency and insight-led improvements across the organisation.

Don’t just take our word for it – here’s what our customers say…

“The course content was excellent and the trainer was clearly expert. The materials were comprehensive. My ratings of my improvement in the domains are qualified by my new understanding of the depth and complexity of them - I now know a lot more about what I don't know, but also have a pathway for understanding the context of the development of the service in my organisation, and developing my skill in using the service, and making it useful in my context.”

“The training delivered by Vicky was excellent. She was friendly and created a comfortable environment for asking questions. My only concern was the volume of content covered in a short time, making it challenging to gain confidence with Power BI. While I feel my knowledge and skills have improved, Power BI is a complex tool, and it’s easy for beginners to get lost in the finer details. Perhaps the more we use it the more confident we will become.”

The journey towards data-driven success begins with the right expertise. Discover how The Dot Collective can help your enterprise unlock the full potential of Business Intelligence.

Get in touch at hello@thedotcollective.co.uk to accelerate your data journey.