Explore KSACs by Pathway

In late 2025, the Partnership pulled together members of industry from across tech to share how the in-demand skillsets for entry-level roles in their fields have changed in the last two years. The Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Credentials (KSACs) below reflect their feedback on entry-level expectations, especially in a tech workplace increasingly shaped by AI.

Previously two separate KSA lists, Data Management and Analytics have been combined as of 2026. This is in direct response to feedback from members of industry, who shared that with the onset of generative AI, most entry-level data roles will require literacy in skillsets across both of these two specializations.

7. Data Visualization and Communication

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Label KSAC Description Bloom's Taxonomy Level
a Explain the role of visualization in analytics, discovery, and decision-making knowledge 3
b Identify common visualization types and appropriate use cases for each knowledge 2
c Evaluate visualization choices for clarity, accuracy, accessibility, and audience appropriateness ability 4
d Create basic static visualizations that accurately represent data skill 3
e Create interactive or narrative visualizations to communicate insights to varied audiences skill 3
f Communicate analytical findings clearly to non-technical stakeholders, including explaining uncertainty and limitations skill 3
g Ensure visualizations meet accessibility and compliance requirements ability 3

Credentials

Vendor Certifications - DBMS

  1. Oracle Associate
  2. Microsoft
  3. IBM

Vendor Certifications - Cloud

  1. AWS
  2. Oracle
  3. Microsoft

Vendor Certifications - Tools

  1. Tableau
  2. SAS

Others

  1. DAMA CDMP
  2. DataCamp Certificate