AT7033 - Business Intelligence

You will be supported by a teaching and learning plan (TLP) which outlines the formal sessions (lectures and IT workshops), together with tutor-directed study and independent study/reading.

You will be provided each week by a one-hour lecture which covers various theoretical concepts relating to business intelligence supported through reference and demonstration of appropriate IT applications. These lectures will be followed by a supporting 2-hour IT workshop where you will gain practical, hands-on experience of using contemporary business intelligence or analytics applications.

The assignment requirements will expect you to engage with a wide range of scholarly sources to evaluate the effectiveness and currency of these analytics applications and subsequently you will communicate this through your assessment by presentation followed by written format.

Directed learning will centre upon a range of activities including you pre-reading, your preparation for interactive activities and use of the discussion board on the e-learning platform.

Independent learning will centre upon you identifying and pursuing areas of interest in relation to business intelligence and by providing deeper/broader knowledge and understanding of the subject through a range of learning activities that will include extended reading, reflection, research etc.

Critical reflection on knowledge, experience and practice underpins the learning and teaching philosophy along with the explicit development of competence.

The university is well-placed to support you in learning and research with excellent library and teaching facilities, as well as access to relevant and up-to date business intelligence/analytics software. You will have access to industrial standard business analytics software, probably SAS, supported by additional Blackboard materials and access to Northumbria University’s library and databases.

Academic content and delivery will be enhanced through opportunity for guest practitioner expert input.

In addition, you will be supported at a programme level by an induction programme to introduce you to the University and the Masters’ programme. Each of you will also be assigned a personal tutor to provide pastoral support and guidance throughout the programme. Further support is provided to you through the Academic and Professional Development module, summative and formative feedback, and a module teaching and learning plan detailing the delivery structure and University requirements.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Develop a critical understanding of business intelligence. [MLO1]

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities

• Analyse and assess organisational data through deployment of relevant business analytics software and communicate the outcomes of this evaluation to a relevant business audience. [MLO2]

Make relevant organisational decisions based on this assessment and associated consultation. [MLO3]

Develop appropriate business intelligence and critical evaluation skills to support organisational decision making. [MLO4]

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

Formative assessment will take place through group work, assignment discussion and reflection, discussion board activity on the e-learning platform, workshop-based activity, and theory/practice related discussions. Criteria will be provided to enable you to understand what is expected and how you will be assessed on your performance. You are required to demonstrate self-reflection and reflective practice where appropriate. Formative feedback will be provided throughout the module, particularly in relation to workshop tasks. You should, however be aware that formative feedback can, and will, occur in any communication with an academic tutor.

Summative assessment will be through a group presentation (20%) covering MLO2 and MLO3 followed by an individual written assignment (80%) covering MLO1-4.

The use of two summative assignments permits feedback and feed forward from a shorter price of work into the more substantive assessment component.

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You will explore the important role of the business intelligence to support an organisation’s effective decision making in this module, through an introduction to data management strategies and the use of business analytic tools for the analysis of organisational data. This module will equip you with organisational strategy for data-management, including its storage, accessibility and readiness for decision making and an ability to critically apply, business intelligence across a range of organisational contexts. You will employ various analytics tools to organisational data analysis and decision making. On completion of the module, you will be in a position to take a SAS certification as part of your broader Continual Professional Development.