MN6074 - Business Analysis (2023/24)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2023/24 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Business Analysis | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2023/24(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
The overall objective is to introduce the student to some of the fundamentals of business analysis so that they are able to,
a. Communicate with internal colleagues to understand the needs of departments and the organisation as a whole. Also, Work with external stakeholders to understand and investigate feedback into the service, function or product.
b. Use data modelling practices to analyse your findings and create suggestions for strategic and operational improvements and changes. As well as consider opportunities and potential risks attached to suggestions you make. Identify the processes and information technology required to introduce your recommendations.
c. Communicate the benefits of your recommendations across departments and help to address any uncertainty and concern. Also produce written documentation to support your work, report on your findings and to present to stakeholders when necessary.
Prior learning requirements
None
Syllabus
• Scope, boundaries of Business analysis and decision making in a 21st century context including the role of a BA LO1-2
• The Business Analyst and the Solution Team, the Business Analyst and the Business Community LO1-2
• Define the Problem and Define the Product Scope LO1-2
• Introduction to process modelling and mapping LO1-2
• Confirm Alignment and Financial Justification LO1-2
• Stakeholder management including working with teams LO1-2
• Sense making and problem structuring methods (PSMs) and follows from week 5, working with stakeholders and teams LO1-2
• Introduction to (customer) requirements capture and management LO1-2
• Introduction to risk management LO1-2
• The process of business analysis and Presenting the results of a business analysis LO1-2
• Transition and Change Management LO1-2
• Future of Business Analyst LO1-2
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Completion of the final assignments and independent study provided opportunities for blended learning, reflective learning and PDP needs.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
LO1. Inspect different roles a business analyst takes in the context of diverse industries.
LO2. Analyse the fundamentals of problem identification, process of business analysis and production of results.
Assessment strategy
The assessment strategy is based on complete transparency between staff and students on the basis on which academic judgements are made. Briefings at the beginning of the module, every assignment brief and every feedback sheet will include the grading schedule, which contains detailed descriptors on how student achievement of specified learning outcomes translates into grades.
Students will receive formative feedback throughout, together with summative feedback at designated points within the module timeframe. Formative feedback will be provided consistently through small daily in-class quizzes, in-class case studies and student presentations. Students will be offered the opportunity to discuss the formative feedback in class. This helps prepare students for the first summative assignment.
Assessment 1: Individual report on case study analysis. The module leader will provide the case study. 1,000 words.
Assessment 2: Individual report based on research across two industry. The module leader will provide the topic of the research. 2,500 words.
Bibliography
Textbooks:
Core Texts:
Blais, S. (2011) Business Analysis: Best Practices for Success, New Jersey: Wiley.
Eva M. et al. (2014) Business Analysis. UK: British Informatics Society, BCS.
Other Texts:
Davenport, T.E. (2006) ‘Competing on Analytics’, Harvard Business Review, 84(1), pp. 99-108.
Davenport, T.E., and Harris, J.G. (2007) ‘The dark side of customer analytics’, Harvard Business Review, pp. 37-48.
Kochenderfer, M. J. et al. (2015) Decision Making Under Uncertainty: Theory and Application. England: MIT Press.
Kourdi, J. (2015) Business Strategy: A Guide to Effective Decision-Making. New York: Publlic Affairs.
Websites:
https://www.bcs.org/upload/pdf/business-analysis2.pdf
ICO. (2018). Information Commissioner’s Office: GDPR Checklist. [Online]. Available at: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/
(Accessed: 8 May 2018).
British Council. (2018). HESA Data. [Online]. Available at: https://siem.britishcouncil.org/
(Accessed: 8 May 2018).
Stewart Brand: How Buildings Learn: What Happens after They're Built, http://shearinglayers.com/layers/
Electronic Databases: to be provided in class/Weblearn
Social Media Source: to be provided in class/Weblearn