James McGillivray

jimbabwe.co.za

James McGillivray, Data Management and Analytics MCSE, has been working in Business Intelligence for over a decade. He spends his working hours building solutions that allow people to make informed decisions. quickly and accurately. He is a Director at South African Data Consultancy, Cobalt Analytics. Before his career in data, James was an avid musical theatre student and musician. This love for performance has developed into a passion for developing and delivering presentations that are informative and enjoyable. James speaks frequently at Data Community Events, and has presented at some of the most well-known Data Events around the globe, including PASS Summit, SQL Bits and the Power BI World Tour.

Proposed Sessions for 2026

5 Design Patterns for Better Looking Reports

Designing great Power BI reports doesn’t have to be hard. Join us to explore clear, repeatable steps that make your reports consistent, functional, and user-friendly.

From Ranking to Rolling Totals: Windowing Functions Explained

Learn how to use SQL Server windowing functions to create rankings, running totals, and rolling averages. This session makes complex queries simple and gives you practical skills you can use right away.

Seconds to Save Lives: Real World Real-Time Intelligence with Fabric

Discover how Microsoft Fabric uses real-time dataflows and event processing to turn raw data into life-saving decisions. Learn why streaming analytics beats traditional approaches when every second counts.

Solving Real Business Challenges with DAX

Learn practical DAX patterns for business questions that don’t fit a star schema. Explore CALCULATE and related functions to solve real-world challenges without breaking your model.

Super Simple Fabric Workloads Make You Feel Precocious

Fabric explained in song! Learn how this platform unifies your data estate in a fun musical number set to Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Big word, big impact, simple message.

The Force Awakens: Charting Your Career Path with the Data Community

Working in tech can feel overwhelming with constant change and pressure to keep up. This session offers a chance to pause and explore how the Data Community provides connection, support, and growth opportunities to help you thrive in your career.

Turning Data Into Stories People Remember

Learn how to turn raw data into stories that captivate. Using real examples, we’ll show you how to find insights, visualize them clearly, and craft narratives that make your audience care.

Understanding DAX Through Pictures - Part 1

See DAX like never before. Learn how evaluation context works through clear visuals and practical examples. Perfect for anyone who wants to understand DAX without the confusion.

Understanding DAX Through Pictures - Part 2

See DAX like never before. Learn how evaluation context works through clear visuals and practical examples. Perfect for anyone who wants to understand DAX without the confusion.

YMCA: You Must Consider Accessibility

Accessibility meets music in this 5-minute YMCA-inspired session. Learn simple, practical tips for inclusive design while enjoying a fun, unforgettable musical number.

Same Words, Different Worlds: Communication Across Domains, Roles and Ranks

Learn how to adapt your message for any audience. Two experts from very different fields share practical tips for clear communication across domains, roles, and ranks.

Previous Sessions

The Fundamentals of DAX Contexts

Explore the heart of DAX with this unique session, as I take you on an African Safari-themed adventure, where stunning wildlife photography serves as the backdrop for understanding the intricacies of DAX contexts. We'll encounter row and filter contexts, just like wild creatures in their natural habitat. Through captivating visuals, you'll uncover how these contexts shape DAX calculations and measure outcomes. Whether you're a data analyst or a business intelligence enthusiast, this session ensures a memorable and educational experience. Understanding DAX Contexts is your gateway to mastering DAX while enjoying the captivating beauty of African wildlife. Don't miss this opportunity to embark on your DAX adventure.

Fabric Power Hour

The famous Power BI Power Hour returns, but this time it has expanded to cover the whole of Fabric!

5 Things You Can Do to build better looking reports

Power BI Design is a lot like an art form, a mythical beast to many IT professionals. We’re generally inclined to think very analytically about our jobs, and creativity does not always come naturally. Thankfully, there are some patterns we can apply to design reports which are clean, uncluttered, and user friendly. Learn the science behind design, and a series of logical steps to follow to ensure that your reports always meet the mark.

The Fundamentals of DAX Contexts

Understanding how DAX determines evaluation context is a critical skill for a Power BI Developer. Writing anything other than the most simple measures requires this skill. In this session we'll explore Filter Context and Row Context individually, and how they combine to form Evaluation Context. We'll have a look at a number of simple measures and visualise how the context affects them.

"Whats in a Name?", Data Stories to Impress the Bard

Data on its own is useful, but boring. Data in story form makes people sit up and take notice. Learn to craft effective stories and maximise the impact of your data communication.

Power BI Report Design for the Aesthetically Challenged

Have you ever looked at other people's Power BI reports, and wondered how they look so good? Designing an aesthetically pleasing report does not require a graphic designer, just the lessons you'll take away from this session.