DA0-002 Data Governance Practice Question
When creating a data story, what should be the FIRST step?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that data gathering or tool selection is the logical starting point, tempting candidates to skip the critical step of defining the core insight first.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Identify the key message
The first step in creating a data story is to identify the key message because the entire narrative, data selection, and visualization choices must align with a central insight. Without a clear message, subsequent steps like gathering data or designing layouts risk being unfocused and failing to communicate actionable findings. This ensures the story is driven by the insight, not by the data or tools.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Design the layout of the report
Why it's wrong here
Layout design presupposes an established narrative and audience; the first step is defining the story's purpose and key message, which dictates structure. It tempts because report design is a visible, concrete task, and when the message is already agreed, designing the layout first is a legitimate approach.
- ✗
Gather all available data
Why it's wrong here
Collecting data precedes any analysis, but the stem asks for the first step of a data story, which is defining the audience and the narrative's purpose; data gathering follows that framing. It tempts because thorough data collection is genuinely necessary later, and in exploratory analysis with no defined message, gathering data first is reasonable.
- ✗
Choose visualization tools
Why it's wrong here
Tool selection depends on the story's requirements, which are unknown until the narrative and audience are defined; the first step is establishing that purpose. It tempts because choosing tools feels productive and is genuinely correct once the message, data and delivery format are settled.
- ✓
Identify the key message
Why this is correct
Starting with the key message ensures every subsequent choice of chart, metric and narrative supports one clear conclusion, rather than assembling visuals first and hoping a story emerges. This satisfies the stem's requirement for the first step in data storytelling.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DA0-002 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DA0-002 exam.