The aim of this highly practical module is to give students an intensive grounding in analytics modelling and hands-on experience in using industry-standard spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel®) to structure, analyse and solve a variety of problems encountered in business and management.
Students will learn how to build practical analytics models using descriptive analytics techniques to visualise and interpret data; predictive analytics techniques to predict future outcomes and trends; and prescriptive analytics techniques, such as optimisation and decision analysis, to support decision making in complex situations.
Students will be exposed to a variety of case studies that will prepare them to be data-driven managers and executives capable of utilising analytics for business value creation. Practical demonstrations will include examples in finance (e.g., optimal investment strategies, portfolio optimisation), human resources (e.g., staff scheduling, workforce planning, employee performance management), marketing (e.g., product development, customer classification, marketing campaigns optimisation), supply chain management (e.g., optimal transport routing, production scheduling) and project management (e.g., task scheduling, resource planning, project completion time optimisation).
Private Study: 117
Contact Hours: 33
Total: 150
Main assessment methods
30% Group project including presentation (10%), spreadsheet model (10%) and 1500-2000 word report (10%)
20% VLE Test
50% Individual computer-based project including spreadsheet model and report (1500-2000 words)
Reassessment method:
100% coursework
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of analytics models and their importance for delivering management innovation and drive organisational change.
- Demonstrate conceptual understanding of the use of modern scientific management techniques and how real-world complex problems can be represented and solved analytically using computer software such as Microsoft Excel®.
- Recognise and deal with managerial problems that can be modelled and analysed using quantitative techniques such as optimization, decision analysis, simulation and statistical models.
- Demonstrate critical awareness of how managers and executives utilise analytics models for business value creation by improving their operational, social, and financial performance.
- Address various real-world complexities and incorporate these into the modelling framework in order to prescribe actionable recommendations.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- Demonstrate highly developed analytics, critical and intellectual skills, which enable them to solve complex business/management/industry problems in a rapidly changing environment.
- Demonstrate an ability to select the most appropriate analytics technique for a particular business/management/industrial problem
- Independently analyse the outcome of an analytics model and present their findings in a clear and rigorous manner.
- Communicate effectively to a variety of audiences and/or using a variety of methods.
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