Qlik Sense

Qlik Sense is a product from Qlik. It is used by BI Cluster to make Data Visualization.

Amane SAID IBRAHIM organized first training about Qlik Sense in July 2016. The training was delivered by Tan Phuc NGUYEN in N2017.

What is ‘Data Visualization’ ?

Science or art to present data in a visual way in order to make the information more readable and understandable.

• 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual.
• “A picture is worth a thousand words”

What you need to define

• Input: data
• Tools / apps: Qlik sense, Power BI
• Output: dashboard (factors / KPIs, charts)

Purpose first

A visualization is useless if it doesn’t have a clear purpose :

• Who is my audience ? Who read my report ?
• Which problem / question am I trying to answer with my visualization ?
• What new questions my visualization can reveal ?
• Is my visualization covers all the questions ?
• Which information does the reader should retrieve from my visualization ?
• Does it help to take a decision ?

then think of the source of data

Once you got the purpose, it’s easier to look at the data you need :

• Which dimensions do I need ?
• Which metrics do I need ?
• Where can I find these information ? What is the data source ?
• Who is behind these data sources ?
• What type of data source is it ?
• How often the data is produced ?
• Data model ?

finally the type of chart

You should choose the right type of chart to convey your message

• Bar chart ? Good for evolution and comparison
• Line / Area charts ? Good for trends
• Stacked charts ? Good for distribution
• Pie charts ? Good for part-to-whole and distribution
• Maps ? Only for geographical data

What is Qliksense ?

• Data discovery and visualization tool
• Self-service BI application
• Intuitive solution

Qliksense Desktop, Server or Cloud ?

Qlik Sense Desktop	Public edition, free software installed in your PC Allows you to create and view Qliksense applications
Qlik Sense Server	Enterprise edition, to install in a physical server Allows you to create and share Qliksense applications Allows you to set user rights and permissions and advanced admin tasks
Qlik Sense Cloud	Allows you to upload and share Qliksense applications in the Cloud server of Qlik Possibility to share up to 5 differents user accounts for free

Wrap-up : what can we do with Qliksense ?

• Import data from different sources (Excel, Access, Databases, etc.)
• Create charts, tables and other kind of visualizations
• Aggregate data with simple to complex functions
• Explore data with drill-downs
• Create custom views filters using bookmarks
• Share your applications

References

• Qlik SenseTraining (presentation by Amane SAID IBRAHIM, 2016)

Go further :

• Visual Analysis Guide Book (whitepaper)
• Qlik Community