Data literacy is the ability to question how a number was created, what it represents and whether it supports the decision being made.

Key points

  • Distinguish measures, dimensions and the business definition behind each label
  • Check denominator, time period, grain and missing or filtered rows
  • Separate correlation, causation and uncertainty when recommending action

Illustrative example

Illustrative example — for teaching clarity, not a SkillsNCR outcome claim.

Illustrative conversion-rate disagreement:

Week visits: 1,000. Purchases: 50.
Team A reports conversion = 50 / 1,000 = 5% (purchases ÷ all visits).
Team B reports conversion = 50 / 200 = 25% (purchases ÷ visits that reached checkout).

Both arithmetic results are “correct” for different denominators. A decision to “triple marketing spend because conversion is 25%” is not justified if leadership believed the 5% definition.

Ask: which denominator matches the decision? What time zone and bot filters apply? Are refunds removed from purchases?
Until those are explicit, the chart is decoration—not evidence.

How WorkReady practises this

Associates challenge dashboard metrics and definitions before trying to make the visual look impressive.

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