Ripotek Technologies Inc.
Design. Engineer. Deliver.
Calgary, Alberta
www.ripotek.com
training@ripotek.com
Power BI Analyst
Professional Training Program Syllabus
Program Overview
12 Weeks (3 sessions per week)
36 total sessions, 108 instructional hours
CAD $700
Flexible payment plans available
Monday/Wednesday/Saturday
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Mountain Time
Microsoft PL-300
Power BI Data Analyst Associate
Program Description
The Power BI Analyst program is a comprehensive 12-week training designed to transform you into a skilled business intelligence professional. This hands-on program covers everything from data modeling fundamentals to advanced DAX calculations and enterprise reporting strategies.
You'll work with real-world datasets, build professional-grade dashboards, and prepare for the Microsoft PL-300 certification exam. By program completion, you'll have a portfolio of projects demonstrating your ability to turn raw data into actionable business insights.
Prerequisites
Required
- Basic Excel proficiency (formulas, pivot tables)
- Understanding of basic business concepts
- Computer with Windows 10/11 (8GB RAM minimum)
- Stable internet connection
Recommended
- Experience with data analysis or reporting
- Familiarity with SQL (helpful but not required)
- Business domain knowledge
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, you will be able to:
Detailed Weekly Curriculum
Week 1: Introduction to Power BI and Data Fundamentals
Session 1: Power BI Ecosystem Overview
- Power BI Desktop, Service, and Mobile overview
- Understanding the analytics workflow
- Navigating the Power BI interface
- Creating your first simple report
Session 2: Connecting to Data Sources
- File-based sources (Excel, CSV, JSON)
- Database connections (SQL Server, Azure SQL)
- Web data and APIs
- Import vs DirectQuery vs Live Connection
Session 3: Power Query Basics
- Introduction to Power Query Editor
- Basic transformations (filtering, sorting, removing duplicates)
- Data type management
- Understanding query folding
Lab Project:
Connect to sample sales data and create basic visualizations
Week 2: Advanced Data Transformation with Power Query
Session 1: Advanced Transformations
- Splitting and merging columns
- Pivoting and unpivoting data
- Conditional columns and custom columns
- Working with dates and text
Session 2: Combining Queries
- Append queries (union)
- Merge queries (joins)
- Inner, outer, left, and right joins
- Handling merge conflicts
Session 3: M Language and Parameters
- Introduction to M language
- Reading and modifying M code
- Creating parameters
- Dynamic data sources
Lab Project:
Clean and transform messy HR data with multiple sources
Week 3: Data Modeling Fundamentals
Session 1: Star Schema Design
- Dimensional modeling concepts
- Fact vs dimension tables
- Creating relationships
- Cardinality and cross-filter direction
Session 2: Relationships and Keys
- Primary and foreign keys
- Active vs inactive relationships
- Many-to-many relationships
- Bidirectional filtering best practices
Session 3: Model Optimization
- Reducing data model size
- Removing unnecessary columns
- Data type optimization
- Model documentation best practices
Lab Project:
Build a star schema for retail sales analysis
Week 4: Introduction to DAX
Session 1: DAX Basics
- DAX syntax and structure
- Calculated columns vs measures
- Basic aggregation functions (SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT)
- CALCULATE function introduction
Session 2: Filter Context
- Understanding row and filter context
- Context transition
- FILTER function
- ALL and ALLEXCEPT functions
Session 3: Time Intelligence
- Creating date tables
- DATESYTD, TOTALYTD functions
- Previous period comparisons
- Year-over-year growth calculations
Lab Project:
Create KPI measures with time intelligence
Week 5: Advanced DAX
Session 1: Iterator Functions
- SUMX, AVERAGEX, COUNTX
- Row-by-row calculations
- Performance considerations
- When to use iterators
Session 2: Table Functions
- SUMMARIZE and SUMMARIZECOLUMNS
- ADDCOLUMNS and SELECTCOLUMNS
- CROSSJOIN and UNION
- Virtual tables in DAX
Session 3: Advanced Filtering
- KEEPFILTERS and REMOVEFILTERS
- USERELATIONSHIP for inactive relationships
- TREATAS for virtual relationships
- Complex filter expressions
Lab Project:
Build customer segmentation analysis with advanced DAX
Week 6: Visualization Fundamentals
Session 1: Core Visualizations
- Bar, column, and line charts
- Pie and donut charts
- Tables and matrices
- Cards and KPI visuals
Session 2: Advanced Visualizations
- Scatter plots and bubble charts
- Waterfall and funnel charts
- Maps and filled maps
- Decomposition tree and key influencers
Session 3: Custom Visuals
- AppSource custom visuals
- Certified vs non-certified visuals
- Popular custom visual libraries
- Visual formatting and styling
Lab Project:
Create executive dashboard with multiple visualization types
Week 7: Report Design and Interactivity
Session 1: Report Design Principles
- Visual hierarchy and layout
- Color theory for dashboards
- Typography and spacing
- Mobile-responsive design
Session 2: Slicers and Filters
- Slicer types and configurations
- Report, page, and visual level filters
- Cross-filtering and cross-highlighting
- Sync slicers across pages
Session 3: Bookmarks and Navigation
- Creating and managing bookmarks
- Button actions and navigation
- Drill-through pages
- Tooltips customization
Lab Project:
Build interactive sales report with advanced navigation
Week 8: Power BI Service and Collaboration
Session 1: Publishing and Sharing
- Publishing reports to Power BI Service
- Workspaces and workspace roles
- Apps and app audiences
- Sharing dashboards and reports
Session 2: Datasets and Dataflows
- Shared datasets
- Dataset discovery and lineage
- Creating dataflows
- Incremental refresh configuration
Session 3: Dashboards and Alerts
- Dashboard creation and tiles
- Dashboard themes
- Data alerts and subscriptions
- Mobile app configuration
Lab Project:
Deploy multi-report app to Power BI Service workspace
Week 9: Security and Governance
Session 1: Row-Level Security
- RLS concepts and implementation
- Static vs dynamic RLS
- Testing RLS with roles
- Managing RLS in Power BI Service
Session 2: Data Sensitivity and Governance
- Sensitivity labels
- Data protection policies
- Endorsement and certification
- Usage metrics and monitoring
Session 3: Administration
- Tenant settings overview
- Capacity management
- Gateway configuration
- Audit logs and activity tracking
Lab Project:
Implement multi-level RLS for sales territories
Week 10: Performance Optimization
Session 1: Query Performance
- Using Performance Analyzer
- DAX Studio basics
- Query plans and bottlenecks
- Optimizing slow measures
Session 2: Data Model Optimization
- Reducing model size
- Aggregations and user hierarchies
- Disabling auto date/time tables
- Composite models and aggregations
Session 3: Best Practices
- Report design for performance
- Visual optimization techniques
- Managing large datasets
- Scheduled refresh strategies
Lab Project:
Optimize slow-performing enterprise report
Week 11: Advanced Topics and Integration
Session 1: Paginated Reports
- Introduction to Power BI Report Builder
- Creating pixel-perfect reports
- Parameters and expressions
- Exporting and subscriptions
Session 2: AI Features
- Q&A natural language queries
- Quick Insights
- Smart narratives
- Anomaly detection
Session 3: Integration and APIs
- Power BI REST API basics
- Embedding reports in applications
- Excel integration with Power BI
- Teams and SharePoint integration
Lab Project:
Create paginated invoice report and configure AI insights
Week 12: Capstone Project and Certification Prep
Session 1: Capstone Project Kickoff
- Project requirements review
- Dataset selection and planning
- Architecture design
- Individual project work time
Session 2: PL-300 Exam Preparation
- Exam format and structure
- Key topics review
- Practice questions
- Test-taking strategies
Session 3: Capstone Presentations
- Student project presentations
- Peer feedback and review
- Portfolio development tips
- Career guidance and next steps
Capstone Project:
End-to-end Power BI solution from data modeling to deployment
Assessment and Grading
| Assessment Component | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Labs | 30% | 11 hands-on lab assignments |
| Midterm Project | 20% | Week 6 - Complete dashboard build |
| Participation | 10% | Class engagement and discussions |
| Capstone Project | 40% | Week 12 - Comprehensive final project |
Grading Scale
A minimum grade of 70% is required to receive a certificate of completion
Materials and Resources
Required Software
- Power BI DesktopFree download from Microsoft
- Power BI ServiceFree or Pro license (provided)
- Microsoft ExcelOffice 365 or 2019+
- DAX StudioFree community tool
Provided Resources
- Course MaterialsSlides, code samples, datasets
- Lab EnvironmentsAzure sandbox subscriptions
- Exam VoucherMicrosoft PL-300 certification
- Practice TestsMeasureUp practice exams
Career Services and Job Placement
Ripotek's Training-to-Hire program connects graduates with opportunities at partner companies across Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, and Public Sectors.
Career Support Includes:
- One-on-one career coaching
- Resume and LinkedIn optimization
- Interview preparation workshops
- Portfolio development guidance
- Networking events with employers
Typical Job Titles:
- Power BI Developer
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Reporting Analyst
- Analytics Consultant
Frequently Asked Questions
Is financial aid available?
Yes, we offer flexible payment plans with 0% interest. Split your tuition into 3 or 6 monthly installments. We also partner with financing providers for longer-term options.
What if I miss a session?
All sessions are recorded and available within 24 hours. You'll also have access to instructor office hours and a dedicated Slack community for questions and support.
Do I need prior programming experience?
No programming experience is required. DAX is a formula language similar to Excel. We start with fundamentals and build up to advanced concepts. Excel proficiency is helpful.
Is the PL-300 exam included?
Yes! Your tuition includes one Microsoft PL-300 certification exam voucher (valued at $165 USD). You also receive practice tests and exam prep sessions.
Can I attend from anywhere?
Yes! Our live online format allows you to join from anywhere with a stable internet connection. In-person options are available at our Calgary office for local students.
What is your refund policy?
Full refund if you withdraw within the first 2 weeks. After that, tuition is non-refundable, but you retain access to all materials and recordings.