Introduction

In the world of Business Intelligence, SQL remains the foundational language for data extraction, transformation, and analysis, making Advanced SQL for BI Analysts a critical skill for unlocking deeper insights and building more sophisticated reporting solutions directly from underlying databases. While basic SQL can retrieve data, mastering advanced SQL techniques empowers analysts to handle complex data manipulation, optimize query performance, create reusable data views, and perform sophisticated analytical functions that are essential for today's intricate business questions. This training course is meticulously designed to equip data analysts, BI developers, data scientists, database administrators, and IT professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in mastering advanced query concepts such as window functions, common table expressions (CTEs), subqueries, and complex joins, while also delving into performance tuning, data modeling concepts, and advanced data transformation techniques to prepare and deliver high-quality datasets that serve as the backbone for powerful BI dashboards and reports. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to write efficient, elegant, and powerful SQL queries to solve complex business problems, transforming them from data retrievers into true data manipulators and architects.

Duration

5 days

Target Audience

• Data Analysts
• Business Intelligence (BI) Developers
• Data Scientists
• Database Administrators (DBAs)
• Data Engineers
• Reporting Specialists
• IT Professionals working with databases
• Business Analysts with a technical focus
• Anyone looking to significantly enhance their SQL skills
• Professionals preparing for advanced data-related certifications

Objectives

• Master advanced SQL query writing techniques for complex data manipulation.
• Learn to use window functions for sophisticated analytical calculations.
• Develop proficiency with Common Table Expressions (CTEs) for improved query readability and logic.
• Understand the use of subqueries and their performance implications.
• Explore advanced join types and their application in real-world scenarios.
• Develop skills in optimizing SQL queries for better performance and efficiency.
• Learn about data modeling concepts and their importance in advanced SQL.
• Understand the role of advanced SQL in the BI data pipeline.

Course Content

Module 1. Advanced SQL Fundamentals and Review

• Review of SQL Basics: SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, ORDER BY
• Advanced Joins: FULL OUTER JOIN, CROSS JOIN, Self-JOIN
• Set Operators: UNION, UNION ALL, INTERSECT, EXCEPT
• Case Statements and Conditional Logic in Queries
• Subqueries in the SELECT, FROM, and WHERE clauses

Module 2. Common Table Expressions (CTEs)

• What is a CTE?: Purpose and syntax (WITH clause)
• Benefits of using CTEs: Readability, reusability, complex logic
• Using multiple CTEs within a single query
• Recursive CTEs for hierarchical data (conceptual)
• Practical examples of solving complex problems with CTEs

Module 3. Window Functions for Advanced Analytics

• Introduction to Window Functions: What they are and why they are powerful
• Ranking Functions: RANK, DENSE_RANK, NTILE
• Aggregate Window Functions: SUM, AVG, COUNT, MIN, MAX over a window
• Value Window Functions: LAG, LEAD, FIRST_VALUE, LAST_VALUE
• Practical examples of using window functions for time series and cohort analysis

Module 4. Query Performance and Optimization

• Understanding Query Execution Plans: How SQL Server/Postgres executes queries
• Indexing: Clustered vs. Non-Clustered indexes and their impact
• Analyzing EXPLAIN and EXPLAIN ANALYZE
• Writing efficient queries: Avoiding anti-patterns
• Best practices for query tuning

Module 5. Data Modeling and Advanced Schema Concepts

• Review of Normalization: 1NF, 2NF, 3NF
• Dimensional Modeling: Star Schema and Snowflake Schema
• Understanding Foreign Keys and their role in joining
• The importance of data types for performance and integrity
• Schema design best practices for BI reporting

Module 6. Advanced Data Manipulation and Transformation

• Pivoting and Unpivoting Data: Reshaping data from rows to columns and vice versa
• Advanced String Functions: REGEXP_MATCH, SUBSTRING, CONCAT, REPLACE
• Date and Time Functions: DATE_TRUNC, DATE_DIFF, formatting
• Handling NULL values: COALESCE, ISNULL
• Using advanced SQL for data cleansing and preparation

Module 7. Stored Procedures, Views, and Functions

• Creating and using Views: Storing complex queries for reuse
• Stored Procedures: Encapsulating logic, security benefits, performance
• User-Defined Functions (UDFs) vs. Stored Procedures
• Parameters in Stored Procedures and Functions
• When to use views vs. stored procedures vs. CTEs

Module 8. Real-World BI Scenarios and Case Studies

• Customer Segmentation: Using advanced SQL to segment customers
• Sales and Revenue Analysis: Calculating year-over-year growth, running totals
• Cohort Analysis: Analyzing user retention and behavior
• A/B Testing Analysis: Using SQL to calculate test results
• End-to-end case study: Building a complex query to power a BI dashboard.

 Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.