Business, Commerce and Management Studies Finance, Economics and Accounting

Data-Driven Argumentation for Competitive Advantage Training

SAQA US 230081 | NQF 6 | Credits 10 | Duration 7 Days
From $1,523 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the skills to construct compelling, data-driven arguments that provide a competitive edge in business. Participants will learn to critically evaluate qualitative and quantitative data, structure persuasive arguments, and present findings to influence decision-making and drive organisational success.

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyse qualitative and quantitative data to extract meaningful insights for argumentation.
  • Construct a well-structured argument that integrates data evidence to support a business case.
  • Evaluate the credibility and relevance of data sources to strengthen argument validity.
  • Present data-driven arguments effectively to diverse audiences using appropriate formats.
  • Apply critical thinking to anticipate counterarguments and refine the argument for competitive advantage.

Target Audience

Professionals across all sectors who need to present evidence-based arguments to stakeholders, including managers, analysts, consultants, and team leaders seeking to enhance their persuasive communication skills.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundations of Data-Driven Argumentation

Objectives:
• Define data-driven argumentation and its role in competitive advantage
• Identify sources of data relevant to business decisions
• Distinguish between data, information, and insight
• Recognise common cognitive biases in argumentation
• Establish a framework for structured argumentation

Topics:
• What is data-driven argumentation?
• The business case for evidence-based decisions
• Types of data: quantitative vs qualitative
• Introduction to argumentation theory (Toulmin model)
• Cognitive biases affecting data interpretation
• Ethical considerations in data use

Day 2: Data Collection and Quality

Objectives:
• Design data collection strategies aligned with business objectives
• Evaluate data quality using validity, reliability, and timeliness criteria
• Apply sampling techniques appropriate to the context
• Identify data cleaning and preprocessing steps
• Understand data governance basics

Topics:
• Primary vs secondary data sources
• Sampling methods: random, stratified, convenience
• Data quality dimensions: accuracy, completeness, consistency
• Data cleaning techniques: handling missing values, outliers
• Introduction to data governance and ethics
• Practical: assessing a dataset for quality

Day 3: Analytical Tools and Techniques

Objectives:
• Use descriptive statistics to summarise data
• Create visualisations that reveal patterns and trends
• Apply basic inferential statistics for hypothesis testing
• Interpret correlation and regression outputs
• Select appropriate analytical methods for given questions

Topics:
• Descriptive statistics: mean, median, mode, standard deviation
• Data visualisation principles and chart types
• Introduction to hypothesis testing (p-values, confidence intervals)
• Correlation analysis
• Simple linear regression
• Overview of advanced analytics (machine learning basics)

Day 4: Building Sound Arguments from Data

Objectives:
• Structure arguments using claims, evidence, and warrants
• Critically evaluate evidence strength and relevance
• Identify logical fallacies in data arguments
• Construct persuasive arguments supported by data
• Use storytelling techniques to enhance impact

Topics:
• Toulmin model in practice: claim, data, warrant, qualifier, rebuttal
• Evaluating evidence: source credibility, sample size, effect size
• Common logical fallacies: hasty generalisation, false cause, cherry-picking
• Argument mapping tools
• Narrative structures for data stories
• Practical: build an argument from a case dataset

Day 5: Communicating Data-Driven Arguments

Objectives:
• Design effective data presentations for different audiences
• Use dashboards and reports to convey insights
• Apply principles of data storytelling
• Handle objections and counterarguments professionally
• Adapt communication style for stakeholders

Topics:
• Audience analysis: executives, peers, clients
• Dashboard design best practices
• Report writing: executive summaries, key findings, recommendations
• Verbal communication: elevator pitches, Q&A sessions
• Handling pushback: acknowledging limitations, alternative interpretations
• Practical: prepare a 5-minute data presentation

Day 6: Integrating Argumentation into Business Processes

Objectives:
• Embed data-driven argumentation into decision-making workflows
• Develop metrics to measure argument effectiveness
• Apply critical thinking to organisational challenges
• Use data to support strategic initiatives
• Foster a culture of evidence-based practice

Topics:
• Decision-making frameworks (e.g., rational, bounded rationality)
• Key performance indicators (KPIs) and balanced scorecards
• Root cause analysis with data
• Scenario planning and what-if analysis
• Change management for data-driven culture
• Case studies of successful data-driven organisations

Day 7: Capstone Project and Review

Objectives:
• Synthesise all course skills in a comprehensive project
• Present a data-driven argument to solve a real-world problem
• Receive peer and facilitator feedback
• Reflect on learning and identify areas for growth
• Create a personal action plan for continued application

Topics:
• Capstone project brief: define problem, collect/analyse data, build argument
• Project work time with facilitator guidance
• Group presentations and peer review
• Debrief and lessons learned
• Action planning: applying skills at work
• Course evaluation and certification

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Wed 09 Sep 2026 Thu 17 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,523 Register
Tue 29 Sep 2026 Wed 07 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,523 Register
Mon 19 Oct 2026 Tue 27 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,523 Register
Thu 10 Dec 2026 Fri 18 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,523 Register
Wed 13 Jan 2027 Thu 21 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,523 Register
Tue 16 Feb 2027 Wed 24 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,523 Register
Mon 01 Mar 2027 Tue 09 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,523 Register
Fri 12 Mar 2027 Mon 22 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,523 Register
Thu 18 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,523 Register
Wed 09 Jun 2027 Thu 17 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,523 Register
Tue 29 Jun 2027 Wed 07 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,523 Register
Mon 19 Jul 2027 Tue 27 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,523 Register
Fri 10 Sep 2027 Mon 20 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,523 Register
Thu 30 Sep 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,523 Register
Wed 20 Oct 2027 Thu 28 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,523 Register
Thu 09 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,523 Register
Wed 29 Dec 2027 Thu 06 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,523 Register
Tue 18 Jan 2028 Wed 26 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,523 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 498 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 03 Aug 2026 Tue 11 Aug 2026 Johannesburg, South Africa Winter 2026 $3,283 Register
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Wed 12 Aug 2026 Mauritius Winter 2026 $4,525 Register
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In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
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Thu 17 Sep 2026 Fri 25 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,982 Register
Wed 07 Oct 2026 Thu 15 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,982 Register
Tue 27 Oct 2026 Wed 04 Nov 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,982 Register
Fri 18 Dec 2026 Mon 28 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,982 Register
Thu 21 Jan 2027 Fri 29 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,982 Register
Wed 24 Feb 2027 Thu 04 Mar 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,982 Register
Tue 09 Mar 2027 Wed 17 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,982 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Tue 23 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,982 Register
Fri 26 Mar 2027 Mon 05 Apr 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,982 Register
Thu 17 Jun 2027 Fri 25 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,982 Register
Wed 07 Jul 2027 Thu 15 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,982 Register
Tue 27 Jul 2027 Wed 04 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,982 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Tue 21 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,982 Register
Fri 08 Oct 2027 Mon 18 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,982 Register
Thu 28 Oct 2027 Fri 05 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,982 Register
Fri 17 Dec 2027 Mon 27 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,982 Register
Thu 06 Jan 2028 Fri 14 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,982 Register
Wed 26 Jan 2028 Thu 03 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,982 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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