Data Analytics for Technical Leaders

Day 1

• Course and Individual Introductions 
• Establish a leader’s role in Decision Driven Data Analytics
• Overview of the role of Data Analytics
• Introduction to Descriptive Analytics, Data Management, Dashboards and Capability Analysis

Day 2

• Day 1 Recap
• Introduction to Causal Analytics
• Overview of the most effective types of causal analytics
• Introduction to design of experiments for analytics

Day 3

• Day 2 Recap
• Introduction to Predictive Analytics
• Use of Machine Learning to develop a Predictive Model
• Use of Response Surface Methods to develop a Predictive Model

Day 4

• Day 2 Recap
• Introduction to Prescriptive Analytics
• Optimization with your causal and predictive analytics algorithms
• How to take action based on all of these 4 days
• Bringing It All Back Together

Classes will be comprised of a lecture and discussion format.  Example data sets are used in class to illustrate the methods and hands-on team assignments are completed by student teams outside of class to reinforce learning.

Attendees are able to earn a digital badge as evidence of the knowledge they obtained during the course. Digital badges are micro-credentials that can be earned by successfully completing application exercises woven throughout the course.

Click here for information on digital badges.

This course is part of the Technical Leadership Certificate. Course may be taken individually as well.

Event Dates/Times:

• 3/2/2026  8:30am - 12:30pm Central Time
• 3/3/2026  8:30am - 12:30pm Central Time
• 3/4/2026  8:30am - 12:30pm Central Time
• 3/5/2026  8:30am - 12:30pm Central Time

• Program Director

  Susan Ottmann

• Anthony Orzechowski

  Director R&D Data Analytics

  Tony instructs courses in Applied Analytics in several master's programs at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Northwestern University.  These course focus on providing students with the immediate ability to lead improvement and innovation in their careers through analytics.  

  Tony is the recently retired Director of R&D Data Analytics at Abbott Laboratories, where he oversaw a broad spectrum of analytics responsibilities, ranging from statistics, reliability and quality engineering to data management, advanced analytics, and business decision support.

  In his role at Abbott, Tony’s organization supported the development of diagnostic products currently contributing over $4 billion in annual worldwide revenue. With nearly 40 years of industry experience, he has served in leadership roles in both the automotive supply and medical diagnostics sectors, where he also championed use of Lean and Six Sigma methods in operations and product development as a Master Black Belt.

  In his new entrepreneurial venture, Tony leads Convergent Analytics, an analytics consulting firm. Here, his focus is on helping companies improve through the use data analytics and maximize these capabilities through generative AI. His efforts aim to equip the next generation of engineers, scientists and analysts with the tools and insights needed to solve the complex challenges that industries will face today and tomorrow.

This is a live online course that uses the Zoom and Canvas platforms. The registration confirmation will guide students through accessing the Canvas course site.

Students will create and log in to the Canvas course site with a NetID. Course assets such as instructional materials, participation certificates, and course evaluations will be available to all students through the Canvas course site.

The course materials are all digital and only available on the Canvas course website. 

Online attendees will access sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform. The Zoom link will be provided a few days before the course.

Please watch the email address you provided during registration for release dates and pre-course information. 

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from interpro@union.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.