Generating Insights Through Deeper Analytics

Module title	Generating Insights Through Deeper Analytics
Module code	MBAM916
Academic year	2019/0
Credits	10
Module staff	(Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		4 days (plus 6 weeks study)

Number students taking module (anticipated)	8

Module description

This project-based module aims to introduce you to a multiplicity of tools and methods to ask questions of data and test hypotheses within organizations. It will provide theoretical insights and hands-on practice into the possibilities presented by data analysis techniques and tools.

External Engagement: the module is co-delivered by SAP, one of the corporate partners of the one planet MBA

Employability: the module will offer an opportunity to acquire knowledge and key analytical skills for those pursuing careers in functions such as innovation management, strategy, sustainability, sales and marketing

Ethics and Corporate Responsibility: the module will consider ethical aspects of analytics

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to introduce you to a variety of tools, analytical methods and data visualisation techniques to assess the relevance and quality of available data and help you test hypotheses within organizations to inform organisational strategy. While many of those tools and techniques are used to understand business drivers, profile customer groups and review organizational performance, they can also be used powerfully to drive organizationally supportive, typical (sales and marketing) and creative activities.

This project-based course will provide theoretical insights and hands-on practice into the possibilities presented by data analysis techniques and tools. Just as is typical in an organization, you will be expected to work as part of a team, working with an existing, available dataset in order to gain and present an actionable insight, using the techniques presented throughout the course.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. demonstrate awareness of the key elements of the Analytics stack and their role from data storage, modelling, analysis, visualization and presentation
2. demonstrate understanding by using existing, typical and creative insights and concerns to set up a question/hypothesis within a real data context
3. understand and identify typical use cases for data analysis
4. critically evaluate the typical steps of data analysis project and how each step needs to be carried out

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. demonstrate understanding of the key features of typical data analysis software, including with hands-on practice.
6. demonstrate ability to combine structured and unstructured data insights into valid and valuable statistical inferences.
7. explain and evaluate more complex data analysis projects with specialist data scientists, involving deeper skillsets (Hadoop, R-programming, NoSQL etc)

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

8. demonstrate understanding by using a publically available dataset, or an organizational dataset to which you have access and permission to use, set up a question or hypothesis, which would provide significant insight, evaluate and present actionable results, using modern visualization techniques
9. demonstrate cognitive skills of critical and reflective thinking
10. demonstrate effective independent study and research skills

Syllabus plan

Introduction to the module.

The stack - The data analysis stack and process.

Working with datasets

Data modelling

The software

Advanced Data visualization

Trends in analytics

Opensource possibilities

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
28	72	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	28	Interactive workshop, visit to major IT provider
Guided independent study	72	Reading, personal research exercise, writing

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Group exercises completed during workshops	1 hour	1 - 10	Oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Group-based project report (4/5 students)	60	4,000 words	1 - 8	Written feedback
Individual reflective assignment	40	1500 words	9 - 10	Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Individual assignment	Report 2750 words	1 - 10	6 weeks from briefing

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

“UK Department of Health: Prescription for Disaster” (on ELE)

Aadhaar: India’s ‘Unique Identification’ System

Biesdorf S.; Court D.; Willmott P. (2013): “Big Data: What’s your plan?” McKinsey Quarterly http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/business_technology/big_data_whats_your_plan

McAfee A.; Brynjolfsson E. (2012): “Big Data: The Management Revolution” Harvard Business Review Vol 90 Issue 10 p60-68

Barton D.; Court D. (2012): “Making Advanced Analytics Work For You” Harvard Business Review Vol 90 Issue 10 p78-83

Laartz J.; Monnoyer E.; Scherdin A. (2003): “Designing IT for Business” McKinsey Quarterly Number 2 p77-84

Key words search

Analytics, Data, Insights, Visualisations, Data analysis

Credit value	10
Module ECTS	5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	MBAM913 Generating Insights Through Analytics MBAM900 Foundation Programme
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	25/11/2014
Last revision date	12/07/2015