Hi, my valued followers.
I must sincerely apologize for the silence on this blog since August. After joining a project consulting firm, I haven't had the capacity to innovate my blog regularly. It wasn't just a matter of being busy; in fact, the overwhelming influx of new experiences created a kind of "slump" where I felt I needed to absorb rather than produce. I believe this period of professional realignment is a story best highlighted here.
Today, I want to write about my journey into reskilling, specifically my deep dive into Power BI.
The Old Challenge, The New Solution
I have always been passionate about automated processes using IT tools. Throughout my career—whether as an instrument engineer or a construction supervisor—my constant challenge was to visualize the up-to-date project status on a real-time basis. In the past, I had to rely on complex, command-heavy Excel tables, or even utilize system engineers to develop custom tools using platforms like Microsoft Access.
The frustration was always the same: The tools were too slow, too rigid, and required too much effort to produce a dashboard that truly reflected reality.
Now, tools like Power BI (in MS) and Looker Studio (in Google) are capable of solving these previous challenges. They generate dynamic, real-time dashboards that allow analysis from multiple aspects—the ultimate output for modern project controls.
Embracing the 40%ism of Learning
I started touching Power BI in November on my private basis, relying on YouTube tutorials and textbooks. I must admit, as a traditional user accustomed only to Excel, it has not been easy. It requires a fundamental knowledge of DAX (Data Analysis Expressions), which is an entirely new language.
I am still very much under the learning curve, but I am already confident that this tool is the path to achieving my desirable outputs for project controls.
The lesson here is simple: Year 2025 was a tough year, but the pressure stimulated me to expand my knowledge into new areas. If I were not in my current situation—if I were still relying on my old processes and familiar business tools—I may not have seriously attempted to learn Power BI. The necessity of a high-performance solution forced a much-needed reskilling.
I will write more about my thoughts after turning 50, but the common message remains forever true: We must continuously learn and find new ways to maximize our individual capabilities in life. I am deeply appreciative of my new colleagues and the environment that has pushed me toward this growth.