Project Overview
Access to clean, reliable water is a fundamental human need, yet in Maji Ndogo, sourcing water is a daily struggle for many residents. This Power BI project explores the water access challenges faced by the community and provides actionable insights to aid decision-making for sustainable development. By analyzing data on water sources, water collection, and related crime, this project highlights the challenges and opportunities for improving water infrastructure in Maji Ndogo.
This analysis unfolded in four progressive stages, each adding depth to our understanding of the situation. The goal was to create an interactive, visually rich report to support policymakers and stakeholders in making informed, impactful decisions.
Phase 1: Gender Composition and Crime Correlation at Water Points
In the first phase, we investigated the community’s daily water collection activities, focusing on the gender distribution in queues at water sources. Women and children often bear the burden of collecting water, making long, strenuous trips to distant sources. Limited availability leads to overcrowding, and competition for water frequently escalates to conflicts. By visualizing the gender dynamics and linking crime data to specific locations, we brought attention to the need for safer, more accessible water sources.
Using Power BI, I created a set of visualizations to illustrate the social implications of water scarcity and the potential safety concerns at overcrowded water points. These visuals were presented to local leaders, aiding their understanding of the broader societal impact of water access challenges.
Phase 2: Advanced Data Modeling and Cross-Linked Insights
The second phase involved expanding the data model to incorporate a broader range of datasets, creating a more complex yet interconnected data environment. This allowed us to:
- Visualize national survey results on water access,
- Recreate queue-related visualizations to delve deeper into peak usage times,
- Generate a pollution map to track environmental factors around water sources, and
- Integrate crime data to identify areas where water scarcity and criminal activity might be linked.
This comprehensive data model enabled us to connect disparate pieces of information, providing stakeholders with insights into how different factors, like environmental pollution and crime, intersect with water access issues.
Phase 3: National and Provincial Level Comparisons
In the third phase, we took a comparative approach to examine water access across national and provincial levels. By breaking down spending on water infrastructure, rural versus urban resource allocation, and improvement tracking, we provided decision-makers with a clearer picture of regional disparities in water access. Key metrics included:
- Water source accessibility rates across regions,
- Budget allocation and breakdown for rural and urban zones,
- Overall progress on infrastructure improvements.
This analysis supports targeted investments by highlighting where funds can have the greatest impact. For each region, Power BI visualizations presented a clear financial breakdown, helping to guide resource allocation based on urgency and effectiveness.
Phase 4: Dashboard for Real-Time Monitoring and Decision-Making
The final phase culminated in the creation of a dynamic Power BI dashboard, designed for real-time monitoring of project status and budget utilization. This dashboard provides decision-makers with essential information, such as:
- Current progress status on infrastructure projects,
- Expenditure breakdown by category and location,
- Forecasts for budget sufficiency to complete the project,
- Identified areas where costs could be reduced,
- Updates from on-the-ground teams for a real-time view of activities.
This interactive dashboard serves as a comprehensive management tool, guiding the next steps in Maji Ndogo’s water access initiatives. By consolidating information across national, provincial, and town levels, it allows leaders to make well-informed decisions based on real-time data.
Impact and Conclusion
This Power BI project in Maji Ndogo is an impactful demonstration of how data visualization can go beyond charts to tell a compelling story of human need, resource challenges, and sustainable solutions. By breaking down the complexity of the water crisis into understandable, actionable insights, this project supports critical decision-making for resource allocation, safety, and long-term planning. It also showcases how combining multiple data sources with powerful visualizations can address real-world issues effectively, turning data into a driver for social change.