IB9PL-15 Understanding Business for Analysts
Introductory description
This is a module that is appropriate for those that have studied business and management as a first degree or are new to the discipline. It focuses on the key structures that Business Analytics operates within. It provides fluency in the role of the organization and the key stakeholders and influences that an analyst may experience within their role.
Module aims
To provide a common foundation of understanding of the purpose, structure and roles within an organization to aid contextualization of analytical topics later in the course.
Students will develop a core understanding of the financial measures of the firm and the ethics of analysis.
Students will also learn how to frame business decision making problems.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Introduction to organisational structures
Analytics and organisational structures/functions
Stakeholders and teams
Problem framing and structuring
Risk analysis and management
Communicating with different audiences
Ethics & ESG concerns
Managing analytics projects
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Provide a comprehensive explanation of the purposes and structures of organisations and the contribution that analytics can make within them
- Contrast different functions within an organisation and their linkages
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and appreciation for ESG considerations
- Identify business problems and understand their relevance within organisational functions
- Critically analyse analytics work undertaken in organisations
- Construct a critical business case by synthesising meaning from complex information
Indicative reading list
APM (2019) APM Body of Knowledge (7th ed.) Princes Risborough: APM
Combe, C. (2014) Introduction to Management Oxford: OUP
Curuksu, J. D. (2018) Data driven: An introduction to management consulting in the 21st century New York: Springer International
Davenport, T. and Harris, J., (2017). Competing on analytics: Updated, with a new introduction: The new science of winning. Harvard Business Press.
Grossman, T.A., Norback, J.S., Hardin, J.R. and Forehand, G.A., (2008). Managerial communication of analytical work. INFORMS Transactions on Education, 8(3), pp.125-138.
Maylor, H. (2022) Project Management (5th ed.) Harlow: Pearson
Mortenson, M.J., Doherty, N.F. and Robinson, S., (2015). Operational research from Taylorism to Terabytes: A research agenda for the analytics age. European Journal of Operational Research, 241(3), pp.583-595.
Pidd, M. (2009) Tools for Thinking: Modelling in management (3rd ed.) Chichester: Wiley
Vidgen, R., Shaw, S. and Grant, D.B., (2017). Management challenges in creating value from business analytics. European Journal of Operational Research, 261(2), pp.626-639.
Wickham, L. & J. Wilcock (2016) Management Consulting: Delivering an effective project Harlow, UK: Pearson
Williams, T (2008). Management science in practice. Wiley, Chichester
Subject specific skills
Interpret and frame business problems with respect to organisational functions
Demonstrate relevant skillset for managing analytical projects, specifically re: stakeholders, risk and the role of the analyst
Evaluate different ethical considerations when undertaking analysis
Identify business situations where analytics may be applied while understanding the benefits and pitfalls of applying analytics
Transferable skills
Written/verbal communication
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 2 sessions of 1 hour (1%) |
| Practical classes | 9 sessions of 2 hours (12%) |
| Other activity | 7 hours (5%) |
| Private study | 49 hours (33%) |
| Assessment | 74 hours (49%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Pre-reading and preparation for lectures and seminars
Other activity description
This module will be split as two hours face-to-face workshops and one online lecture hour per week. The lecture hour may be live, or may be prerecorded, or as asynchronous tasks with either online or face-to-face support
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
| Individual assignment | 90% | 67 hours | Yes (extension) |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Participation | 10% | 7 hours | No |
Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback via myWBS
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of TIBS-N1N3 Postgraduate Taught Business Analytics