IBM Data Analyst Capstone Project

Introduction

This capstone project explores how technology usage and data-related tools evolve across industries. Using real-world datasets, I analyzed trends in programming languages, databases, and visualization tools to uncover what technologies professionals rely on most today.

I performed data preparation and cleaning in Python and Excel, used IBM Cognos Analytics to create interactive dashboards, and summarized key insights into how data professionals are shaping the future of analytics and AI.

The project represents the final stage of the IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate, combining everything I learned — from collecting and transforming data to visual storytelling and insight generation.

Objective: To deliver data-driven insights into technology adoption and developer distribution, helping organizations and learners identify emerging opportunities.

Outcome

This project gave me hands-on experience in the end-to-end data analytics process, integrating multiple tools, managing real data, and presenting results in a professional, story-driven format. It reflects my ability to transform complex datasets into clear, visual insights that support decision-making.

Executive Summary

Key Trends: Python, SQL, and JavaScript dominate current programming usage, while MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL Server lead database adoption. Anticipated growth areas include Python, Go, and TypeScript — with PostgreSQL and MongoDB gaining traction.

Dashboard Insights: Most respondents are aged 18-34 with Bachelor's or Master's degrees, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) remain in high demand.

Strategic Focus: Aligning development with Python, PostgreSQL, and scalable cloud platforms reflects both current trends and future developer preferences.

Methodology

• Data Source: survey_data_updated.csv (developer survey responses).
• Cleaning: Removed duplicates, handled missing values, and split multi-value fields for accuracy.
• Tools Used: Excel for data cleaning; IBM Cognos Analytics for dashboard creation.
• Dashboard Design: Three tabs — Current Technology Usage, Future Technology Trends, and Demographics.

Results & Dashboards

The visual dashboards provide an intuitive breakdown of developer trends across programming languages, databases, and demographics. Below are placeholders for the dashboard visuals from IBM Cognos Analytics:

Current Technology Usage

Future Technology Trends

Demographics Overview

Findings & Implications

• Programming Languages: Bash/Shell, HTML/CSS, and C# dominate current usage, while Go, C++, and Python are rising in interest.
• Databases: Microsoft SQL Server leads in reliability, but PostgreSQL and MongoDB show strong future growth.
• Demographics: Younger, highly educated developers are driving the shift toward modern, scalable technologies.
• Strategic Outlook: Companies must balance legacy stability with modern adoption to attract emerging developer talent.

Conclusion

The analysis reveals a clear evolution in technology preferences — from traditional tools like SQL Server and HTML/CSS toward versatile, scalable solutions such as Go, PostgreSQL, and cloud-native platforms. Younger developers, particularly those with advanced education, are reshaping industry direction by favoring innovation and flexibility. Organizations maintaining a balance between legacy systems and modern tools will remain both stable and future-ready.