Business Analytics for Strategic Insights (10 cr)

Objective

On completion of the course, the student understands how a company can use business analytics to gain strategic insights and is able to create a report and a dashboard (using MS Power BI and Google Data Studio), and interpret their results for decision-making.

Content

This is a mixed method course with face-to-face and online lectures, independent self-study and assignment work both independently and in groups. The pedagogy is based on the flipped classroom method where study materials and tasks are for the most part available in the learning environment. Data analytics software and tools such as Power BI will be used. Basic introduction to them and learning assignments on them will be provided in the class.

Content
• Strategic perspective to data
• Data analytics, business analytics and business intelligence
• Basic concepts of data driven management and leadership, analytics maturity models and theoretical frameworks on data
• Business analytics process
• Use case development and documentation
• Data transformation, importing, preparing and transforming data
• Data modelling, creating relationships and calculating, DAX
• Data visualisation including e.g. charts, maps, tables; finding insights
• Building reports and dashboards, and interpreting results for decision making and strategic insights
• Power BI Desktop, Service and Mobile

Assignments: students complete the course by learning via the study materials, solving tasks and creating Business Analytics case studies; no exams. Assessment is done by the teacher. At the end of this course, students are encouraged to take a “MS Power BI Certification".

Location and time

15.1.2024 - 15.1.2024, ONLINE

Teaching methods

On completion of the course, the student understands how a company can use business analytics to gain strategic insights and is able to create a report and a dashboard (using MS Power BI and Google Data Studio), and interpret their results for decision-making.

It is a mixed-method course with face-to-face lectures, independent self-study, and assignments done both independently and in small groups. The pedagogy is based on the flipped classroom method where study materials and tasks are for the most part available in the learning environment. The course will utilize data analytics software and tools such as Power BI for which there will be basic introduction and learning assignments provided in the class.

Contents:
1) Strategic perspective to data
• Data analytics, Business Analytics & Business Intelligence
• Basic concepts of data driven management and leadership, analytics maturity models and theoretical frameworks on data
• Business analytics process
2) Use case development and documentation, Data transformation, importing, preparing & transforming data
Data modelling, creating relationships & calculating, DAX
Data visualization, charts, maps, tables, etc & finding insights
3) Building reports and dashboards, and interpreting results for decision making & strategic insights; Power BI Desktop, Service and Mobile

Assignments outline: Students complete the course by learning via the study materials, solving tasks and creating Business Analytics case studies; no exams. Evaluation is done by the teacher. At the end of this course, students are encouraged to take a “MS Power BI Certification".

Student workload

10 ECTS (appx. 250 hours of work, including attending classes, doing assignments, readings, and self-work, with a strong stress on self-work and team work).).

Further information

The language of tuition is English.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student has completed basic requirements to pass the course and has made an attempt to apply and articulate concepts and information both verbally and in writing but has not made enough effort overall. The student has demonstrated little effort, interest and motivation for individual or team activities / assignments and the output is rather weak.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student can apply and articulate concepts and information well both verbally and in writing, certain areas of individual or team output require further attention; shows appropriate level of interest and motivation in individual and team activities. Good presentation delivery and analysis.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student demonstrates interest and motivation in individual and team activities and assignments, fully applies and clearly articulates concepts and information both verbally and in writing. The student is able to support their arguments with references to the recommended reading and lecture content. Excellent presentation delivery and analysis.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student has completed basic requirements to pass the course and has made an attempt to apply and articulate concepts and information both verbally and in writing but has not made enough effort overall. The student has demonstrated little effort, interest and motivation for individual or team activities / assignments and the output is rather weak.

Assessment methods and criteria

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)
Sufficient performance: has completed basic requirements to pass the course and has made an attempt to apply and articulate concepts and information both verbally and in writing but has not made enough effort overall. The student has demonstrated little effort, interest and motivation for individual or team activities / assignments and the output is rather weak.

Assessment criteria, good (3)
Good overall performance: can apply and articulate concepts and information well both verbally and in writing, certain areas of individual or team output require further attention; shows appropriate level of interest and motivation in individual and team activities. Good presentation delivery and analysis.

Assessment criteria, Excellent (5)
Excellent performance in all elements of the course: shows interest and motivation in individual and team activities and assignments, fully applies and clearly articulates concepts and information both verbally and in writing. The student is able to support his/her argument with references to the recommended reading and lecture content. Excellent presentation delivery and analysis.

Assessment criteria, Approved/Failed
Sufficient performance: has completed basic requirements to pass the course and has made an attempt to apply and articulate concepts and information both verbally and in writing but has not made enough effort overall. The student has demonstrated little effort, interest and motivation for individual or team activities / assignments and the output is rather weak.

Qualifications

Completed higher education degree (Bachelor level)

Further information

The language of tuition is English.