How to use this academy

How to use this academy

For different roles

Implementation Engineer

Goal: Build the analytics implementation correctly

Your path:

1. Analytics Fundamentals — understand the platform
2. The Variable Model — memorize the decision tree
3. Implementation — learn Web SDK and data layer patterns
4. EA · Delivery Lifecycle — understand the requirements process
5. Use Cases — see two complete implementations (site search, form)
6. Troubleshooting Hub — bookmark for production debugging

Time commitment: 8-12 hours

Analyst / Power User

Goal: Understand what data you have and how to ask good questions

Your path:

1. Analytics Fundamentals — data collection basics
2. Dimensions vs metrics — the reporting model
3. The Variable Model — understand what props/eVars mean for analysis
4. Analysis & Reporting — Workspace, segments, calculated metrics
5. Use Cases — see real analytics workflows
6. Troubleshooting — why your numbers are off

Time commitment: 4-6 hours

Business Analyst / Product Manager

Goal: Write good measurement requirements and understand trade-offs

Your path:

1. The measurement mental model — the executive summary
2. Dimensions vs metrics — what you can measure
3. EA · Delivery Lifecycle — how requirements become data
4. Use Cases — see how business questions map to data
5. Server calls as design constraint — why everything is a trade-off

Time commitment: 2-3 hours

Admin / Manager

Goal: Understand the platform architecture and governance

Your path:

1. Analytics Fundamentals — what is a report suite
2. Report Suites & Admin — architecture, multi-site, environments
3. EA · Platform Strategy — where the platform is going
4. Privacy & Governance — compliance and data protection
5. Troubleshooting Hub — operational readiness

Time commitment: 3-4 hours

Learning methods

Sequential reading

Best for: Foundational learning

• Start with Start Here and work through sections in order
• Gives you the mental model before the details

Jumping to reference

Best for: Solving a specific problem

• Use search to find pages about your topic
• Read that page + its related pages
• No need to read the whole guide

Hands-on labs

Best for: Skills you'll use immediately

• Work through the Core Learning Journey
• Each session has a lab with real data/scenarios
• Labs build on each other toward a complete measurement plan

Reverse lookup

Best for: Understanding what data means

• You see a prop/eVar in Analysis Workspace
• Search for its name in the sidebar
• Find which section explains it

Study tips

Tip 1: Take notes on the decision tree The prop/eVar decision tree (The decision — prop, eVar, or both?) is the most important page. Copy the decision tree into your notes or bookmarks.

Tip 2: Map the running examples to your business We use Example Super (a superannuation fund). Map each section's example to your own product:

• If you run e-commerce, replace "complaint form" with "shopping cart"
• If you run SaaS, replace "site search" with "feature usage"

Tip 3: Bookmark the troubleshooting triage method When data goes wrong (and it will), the triage method in Troubleshooting Hub is your most useful tool.

Tip 4: Use the search function liberally Don't try to memorize the entire guide. Use search. The search box in the sidebar is your friend.

Tip 5: Revisit fundamentals when confused If you're reading about segments and feel lost, jump back to Dimensions vs metrics. Gaps in fundamentals cascade.

Staying current

Adobe Analytics evolves. Web SDK replaces AppMeasurement. CJA looms. This guide covers:

• Current (2026): Web SDK, Analysis Workspace, all standard features
• Legacy (still used): AppMeasurement syntax (reading pages only)
• Future: Customer Journey Analytics bridges, when to migrate

If you see a page marked ⚡ (elective), it's optional/advanced. You don't need it week one.

Practicing

Best way to learn: Implement on a test report suite.

• Set up a dev environment (see Environments)
• Send test data using the examples in this guide
• Query it in Analysis Workspace
• Break it, fix it, learn

The guide won't stick until you hands-on.

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Start: The measurement mental model