What you'll learn

The term “big data” has been a part of business conversations for years, but what does it mean, and why is it so important? In this course, Big Data Explained, you'll get an executive-level understanding of what big data is, how it works, and how it’s transforming the way organizations operate. First, you’ll define what qualifies as “big” in big data and explore the scale at which modern companies are collecting and analyzing information, from shopping habits to network traffic patterns. Next, you'll examine how the value of big data comes from the ability to organize, interpret, and act on that data. This section introduces key technologies, including data warehouses, data lakes, distributed computing, and cloud-native platforms. Then, you'll discover how organizations extract actionable insights using business intelligence tools. Platforms like Microsoft Power BI enable users to visualize trends, generate reports, and support informed strategic decisions. Finally, you’ll cover key limitations and challenges, including data privacy concerns, quality issues, and the growing role of AI in big data systems. By the end of this course, you’ll have a solid understanding of big data, enough to engage in meaningful conversations and make informed decisions around data initiatives within your organization.