Power BI

Last week, I had the privilege of serving as one of the Lead Trainers in a week-long Power BI Masterclass. The primary goal of this training was to help learners gain a clear understanding of the full Power BI ecosystem, explore how it can make a tangible impact in their organizations, and equip them with the practical skills required to implement what they learned.

On 24th and 25th July 2025, we attended DynamicsCon Regional: East Africa 2025, and it was an incredibly energizing and insightful experience.

We were privileged to take the stage where we talked about the integration between Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power BI. Our session focused on demonstrating just how powerful these platforms can be when used together. Rather than just talking about it, we brought it to life with a live showcase.

 We explored;

Managing Power BI reports over time can quickly become overwhelming without proper version control, especially when multiple changes are made to a single report. The PBIX format, commonly used for Power BI reports, presents several challenges when it comes to tracking changes and collaborating effectively. 

If you've ever experienced delays while waiting for a Power BI report to load, you're familiar with the challenges it creates, impatient and frustrated users. The root cause often lies in inefficient DAX queries, bloated models, or overly complex visuals straining the engine. This is where DAX Studio becomes an essential tool for every serious Power BI developer. It offers deep insights into query performance, helping to identify and resolve bottlenecks for faster, more efficient reports.

Row-Level Security (RLS) in Power BI is a crucial feature that ensures users can only access the data relevant to them, maintaining both privacy and efficiency. Without RLS, data exposure can lead to security risks, compliance issues, and information overload for users. 

Use cases

By implementing RLS, organizations can control data visibility, enabling sales managers to view only their regional performance, HR personnel to access employee records securely, and executives to see organization-wide insights without compromising confidentiality.

Have you ever felt frustrated by slow approval processes, endless email chains, and missing documents? You're not alone! Many organizations struggle with inefficiencies in their approval workflows, whether it's procurement requests, expense approvals, contract sign-offs, or internal compliance.

For Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) managing data effectively is crucial for transparency and mobilization of resources. This is where Microsoft Power BI comes in. This powerful tool can transform how NGOs operate, improve their ability to communicate impact, and support smarter decision-making. Let’s look at how Power BI can help NGOs achieve their missions more effectively.

Managing a Power BI project involves navigating through various stages, each critical to delivering actionable insights to stakeholders. However, the introduction of new requirements midway through the project can derail timelines and complicate progress. To mitigate these challenges, here are four essential strategies to consider in addressing these challenges.

1. Engage End Users Early and Thoroughly During Requirement Gathering.

Grants management encompasses a structured series of processes aimed at effectively acquiring, managing, and utilizing grants to achieve meaningful impact. 

A proficient BI dashboard should facilitate users' understanding and management of each stage of grants management, empowering NGOs to increase their chances of securing funding, successfully implementing programs, and showcasing impact to funders and stakeholders.

The Grants Management process typically unfolds in three phases: Pre-award, Award, and Post-award phases.