SAMPLE. Course Description and Outcomes. Participation & Attendance

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1 ISM542 Business Analytics Credit Hours: 3 Contact Hours: This is a 3-credit course, offered in accelerated format. This means that 16 weeks of material is covered in 8 weeks. The exact number of hours per week that you can expect to spend on each course will vary based upon the weekly coursework, as well as your study style and preferences. You should plan to spend hours per week in each course reading material, interacting on the discussion boards, writing papers, completing projects, and doing research. Course Description and Outcomes Course Description: This course provides students with an overview of tools and techniques used to analyze business data for comprehensive and functional solutions. The primary techniques used in this course will be forecasting, simulation, and data modeling for complex problem analysis in medium to large organizations. Course Overview: This course presents proven best practices for successful business analytics. It also examines, in detail, the tremendous advantages for an organization that utilizes business analytics for data-based, as opposed to opinion-based, decision making. It is important to integrate the technical staff with business analysts within an organization to form an effective business analytics team. A business analytics leader with a strong technical background and the authority to implement changes must lead this team. In this course, we will cover the analytics team, its leadership, and why changes in enterprise culture and organization may be needed. Once the business analytics team and leadership framework are established, the value of creating a comprehensive business analytics plan is discussed, as well as the technical training and qualifications required for data analyst personnel. We will also explore the importance of adequate data collection, use of statistical software, data management, details of statistical modeling and sampling techniques, and database management best practices. Course Learning Outcomes: 1. Develop an understanding of the necessary cultural, management, personnel qualifications, statistical tools, and data processing capabilities an organization must attain to create successful decisions using business analytics. 2. Analyze case studies of successful and unsuccessful use of business analytics for decision making. 3. Evaluate the qualities of successful business analytics leaders, managers, and team members. Participation & Attendance Prompt and consistent attendance in your online courses is essential for your success at CSU-Global Campus. Failure to verify your attendance within the first 7 days of this course may result in your withdrawal. If for some reason you would like to drop a course, please contact your advisor.

2 Online classes have deadlines, assignments, and participation requirements just like on-campus classes. Budget your time carefully and keep an open line of communication with your instructor. If you are having technical problems, problems with your assignments, or other problems that are impeding your progress, let your instructor know as soon as possible. Course Materials Textbook Information is located in the CSU-Global Booklist on the Student Portal. Course Schedule Due Dates The Academic Week at CSU-Global begins on Monday and ends the following Sunday. Discussion Boards: The original post must be completed by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. MT and Peer Responses posted by Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT. Late posts may not be awarded points. Critical Thinking: Assignments are due Sunday at 11:59 p.m. MT. Week # Readings Assignments 1 Chapter 1 in Business Analytics Fitzgerald, M. (2015). Training the next generation of business analytics professionals. MIT Sloan Management Review, 56(2), 0 2 Chapters 2 & 3 in Business Analytics Agrawal, D. (2014). Analytics based decision Portfolio Milestone (25 points) making. Journal of Indian Business Research, 6(4), 332 Ransbotham, S., Kiron, D., & Prentice, P. K. (2015). Minding the analytics gap. MIT Sloan Management Review, 56(3), Chapters 4 & 5 in Business Analytics Ferguson, R. B. (2014). GE and the culture of Critical Thinking (100 points) analytics. MIT Sloan Management Review, 55(3), Chapter 6 in Business Analytics Evans, J. R. (2015). Modern Analytics and the Future of Critical Thinking (100 points) Quality and Performance Excellence. Quality Management Journal, 22(4), 6-17 Harriott, J. (2013). 7 Pillars for Successful Analytics Implementation. Marketing Insights, 25(1), Chapter 7 in Business Analytics Kiron, D., Prentice, P. K., & Ferguson, R. B. (2014). The Critical Thinking (125 points) analytics mandate. MIT Sloan Management Portfolio Milestone (50 points) Review, 55(4), Chapters 8 & 9 in Business Analytics Kiron, D. (2015). Innovating with airborne Critical Thinking (125 points) analytics. MIT Sloan Management Review, 57(1), 0

3 7 Chapter 10 in Business Analytics Leonard, P. (2014). Customer data analytics: Privacy settings for 'big data' business. International Data Privacy Law, 4(1), doi: 8 Chapters 11 & 12 in Business Analytics Wu, L., Yuan, L., & You, J. (2015). Survey of large-scale data management systems for big data applications. Journal of Computer Science and Technology, 30(1), doi: Assignment Details This course includes the following assignments/projects: Module 2 Module 3 PORTFOLIO PROJECT MILESTONE (25 points) Portfolio (275 points) Option #1: Topic Proposal Submit a report to senior management on the benefits of a business analytics program to their company. See the description of the Portfolio Project found in the Module 8 folder for more information. Ensure the benefits are specific to the LECAL s business needs. The report should: Be 1-2 pages in length Reference two credible sources Begin thinking now about the outline, due in Module 5, that you will write for your Portfolio Project. Contact your instructor by if you have any questions. Option #2: Topic Proposal Prepare a presentation to senior management on the benefits of a business analytics program to their company. See the description of the Portfolio Project found in the Module 8 folder for more information. Ensure the benefits are specific to FUNTANTISTIC s business needs. The presentation should: Be 3-5 slides in length Reference two credible sources Place the detailed information supporting the content on the slide in the speaker notes. The guideline for preparing slide presentations is that summary information goes on the slide and detailed information goes in the speaker notes Begin thinking now about the outline, due in Module 5, that you will write for your Portfolio Project. Contact your instructor by if you have any questions. CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (100 points)

4 Module 4 Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title of your submission. Option #1: Leadership of the Analytics Team Write a response addressing this question: Why are the characteristics of leadership more important than management to guide a successful business analytics team? Explain and give rationale for your answer. Remember to examine the Critical Thinking Rubric, found in the Module 3 folder, to see how your assignment will be graded. Your paper must: Be 3-5 pages long Include two credible outside sources, as well as your textbook, for a total of three or more sources; the CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources Include an additional reference page Option #2: Analytics-driven Culture Write a response addressing this question: Why is creating and sustaining an analytics-driven culture important to the success of a business analytics program? Explain and give rationale for your answer. Remember to examine the Critical Thinking Rubric, found in the Module 3 folder, to see how your assignment will be graded. Your paper must: Be 3-5 pages long Include two credible outside sources, as well as your textbook, for a total of three or more sources; the CSU-Global Library is a great place to find these resources Include an additional reference page CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (100 points) Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title of your submission. Option #1: Analysis of Strategic Application of Business Analytics Results Research and locate examples, beyond those found in your textbook, of business analytics being successfully applied to strategic decision making. In addition, find examples that show when business analytics failed to be applied successfully to strategic decision making. The CSU-Global Library is a good place to conduct your research. For your analysis, settle on one good example of a successful outcome and one example of an unsuccessful outcome. For each your example of success and your example of failure address the following two perspectives: Describe the actionable intelligence, or what it could have been, and the consequence to the organization in terms of revenue, market share, growth, and stock value. Discuss the quality of the business analytics plan developed by the organization and describe three characteristics of each that made it a success or a failure. Be 3-5 pages long Option #2: Analysis of Business Analytics Maturity Model

5 Module 5 Research and locate an example, beyond those found in your textbook, of organizations using business analytics programs. The CSU-Global Library is a good place to conduct your research. For your analysis, determine at what level the firm you selected is operating on the Business Analytics Maturity Model in the textbook. In your report address the following two evaluation points: Describe those characteristics of the company s business analytics program that qualify it as either unaware, tactical, focused, strategic, or pervasive. Discuss what efforts are needed within the organization to progress to higher levels on the maturity model and what business value the company might realize from those efforts. Be 3-5 pages long CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (125 points) Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title of your submission. Option #1: Analysis of Business Analytics Results Research and locate examples, beyond those found in your textbook, of three business analytics results. The CSU- Global Library is a good place to conduct your research. Determine the statistical qualifications of: the organization the analytics leader the analytics team members. In your analysis, address the following points: Describe the types of statistical modeling used in the analysis. Discuss the success or failure of the project and the causative relationship of this outcome to the statistical qualifications. Be 5-7 pages long Option #2: Implementing a Business Analytics Program You are the CIO of a firm investigating the implementation of a business analytics program. The executives have heard of the need for a specific set of traits, training, qualifications, and background for business analytics personnel. The executives request that you prepare a report describing your recommended approach for recruiting, training, and retaining business analytics personnel. In your proposed approach describe: Skills and training required Certification needed and why Work experience requirements Continuous training requirements.

6 Module 6 Conclude your report with a business value justification for why the organization should commit resources to recruiting, training, and retaining business analytics professionals. Be 5-7 pages long PORTFOLIO PROJECT MILESTONE (50 points) Option #1: Project Outline This week, submit an outline of your Portfolio Project. Your outline must list the major headings and sections required. In your Portfolio Project you will develop a complete business analytics proposal for LECAL Properties Inc. See the full description of the Portfolio Project found in the Module 8 folder. Option #2: Project Outline This week, submit an outline of your Portfolio Project. Your outline must list the major headings and sections required. In your Portfolio you will develop a proposal for a complete business analytics system for FUNTASTIC Cruise, Inc. See the full description of the Portfolio Project found in the Module 8 folder. CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENT (125 points) Choose one of the following two assignments to complete this week. Do not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title of your submission. Option #1: Postmortem Diagnostic of a Failed Sales Office Expansion In the past year your satellite TV organization made the business decision to open two new sales offices in Omaha and San Diego due to anticipated growth of satellite TV subscribers in those areas. Unfortunately, the growth of new customers never materialized, and the company lost $5M instead. Also, the company s stock dropped by 20% in the last two months, the two new sales offices were closed, and 15% of the employees were let go. You have been hired as the new CIO to perform a postmortem evaluation of this situation and determine why the new $10M business analytics system failed to produce accurate information for decision making. Outline some of the reasons the decision to open the two new offices may have failed and what might be improved in the future to get the company back on course. Be 5-7 pages long Option #2: Implementing Best Statistical Practices You have been asked by your CIO to implement the Best Statistical Practices (BSP) techniques in your company or a company with which you are familiar. Your initial deliverable is a report detailing implementation considerations and a business value justification for implementing BSP. The report should cover the following topics: Brief description of the components of BSP

7 Module 8 Personnel considerations, including talent requirements (knowledge, skills, and experience) and training requirements Statistical software tools Business value proposition: how will BSP create business values? Be 5-7 pages long PORTFOLIO PROJECT ASSIGNMENT (275 points) Choose one of the following two assignments. Do not do both assignments. Identify your assignment choice in the title of your submissions. Option #1: Create a Business Analytics Team You are the CIO of LECAL Properties, Inc. Your company has created several successful retirement communities in the southern and southwestern states over the last 20 years. Your CEO wants to determine the optimum locations to begin development of new sites for ten more communities in the next two years. In your project, address these four questions: What are the steps you would take to create a business analytics team? How will you create stakeholder involvement? How do you plan to utilize your company s data warehouse business intelligence system? How will you make use of your organization s statistical resources to recommend the best locations for ten new sites? Additionally, your proposal should include information covered in the course modules, texts, and discussions. Be sure to apply what you have gained from the Critical Thinking assignments regarding the best practices to make the most effective use of business analytics. In addition, address social media issues, since your company wants to utilize inputs from social media sites that seniors frequent to get a good grasp of their preferences for locations and retirement community amenities. This includes seniors looking for a retirement location and those already living in one. Your CEO and board of directors are fully prepared to fund Cloud Computing resources as needed to make use of the anticipated big data that will probably be streaming from online sources. Your paper must: Be pages long Include at least five references in addition to your course textbook Portfolio Milestones While you will likely use the milestones that you submitted for a grade in Module 2, your Project Topic Proposal, and in Module 5, your Project Outline, you will not include these milestone assignments in your final Portfolio Project. Option #2: Create a Business Analytics System You are the CIO at FUNTASTIC Cruises, Inc. Your company owns ten cruise ships but hopes to increase the fleet in the next five years through 50% revenue growth over the next five years from increased bookings, improved

8 destinations, on-shore excursions, and more on-board amenities. FUNTASTIC s ships currently have between 500 and 2,000 passenger capacities. They are looking to build two new ships in the next five years but are unsure of the best size. Your company has five legacy systems that have a 10-year history of: past bookings from passengers past on-shore excursions records of on-board entertainment and sales records of FUNTASTIC employees serving as both on-board staff - from captain to dishwasher - and support staff at the headquarters office. FUNTASTIC attempted to create a data warehouse a few years ago, but the project failed miserably. Your upper management now wants to create a business analytics system for big data using public, private, or hybrid cloud architectures. They have no clue about the best implementation approach, what data elements are needed, where the data will come from, and what statistical analyses are required. In addition, FUNTASTIC wants to leverage inputs from social media sites that potential and current cruise line customers would use to determine preferred destinations, on-shore excursions, and on-board amenities. They have tasked you to create a detailed proposal for a comprehensive business analytics system to meet their strategic goals. For your portfolio assignment, submit a proposal for a business analytics system for FUNTASTIC. Your paper must: Be pages long Include at least five references in addition to your course textbook Portfolio Milestones While you will likely use the milestones that you submitted for a grade in Module 3, your Project Topic Proposal, and in Module 5, your Project Outline, you will not include these milestone assignments in your final Portfolio Project. Course Policies Course Grading 20% Discussion Participation 45% Critical Thinking Assignments 35% Final Portfolio Paper Grading Scale and Policies A A B B B C C D F 59.9 or below In-Classroom Policies For information on late work and incomplete grade policies, please refer to our In-Classroom Student Policies and Guidelines or the Academic Catalog for comprehensive documentation of CSU-Global institutional policies.

9 Academic Integrity Students must assume responsibility for maintaining honesty in all work submitted for credit and in any other work designated by the instructor of the course. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism, reusing /re-purposing your own work (see CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements for percentage of repurposed work that can be used in an assignment), unauthorized possession of academic materials, and unauthorized collaboration. The CSU-Global Library provides information on how students can avoid plagiarism by understanding what it is and how to use the Library and Internet resources. Citing Sources with APA Style All students are expected to follow the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements when citing in APA (based on the APA Style Manual, 6th edition) for all assignments. For details on CSU-Global APA style, please review the APA resources within the CSU-Global Library under the APA Guide & Resources link. A link to this document should also be provided within most assignment descriptions in your course. Disability Services Statement CSU Global is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. Any student with a documented disability requesting academic accommodations should contact the Disability Resource Coordinator at and/or ada@csuglobal.edu for additional information to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Netiquette Respect the diversity of opinions among the instructor and classmates and engage with them in a courteous, respectful, and professional manner. All posts and classroom communication must be conducted in accordance with the student code of conduct. Think before you push the Send button. Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end read the words? Maintain an environment free of harassment, stalking, threats, abuse, insults or humiliation toward the instructor and classmates. This includes, but is not limited to, demeaning written or oral comments of an ethnic, religious, age, disability, sexist (or sexual orientation), or racist nature; and the unwanted sexual advances or intimidations by , or on discussion boards and other postings within or connected to the online classroom. If you have concerns about something that has been said, please let your instructor know.