University of Technology Sydney

32558 Business Intelligence

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Information Technology: Computer Science
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 32557 Enabling Enterprise Information Systems
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 41191 Business Intelligence

Recommended studies:

general knowledge of business organisations and uses of IT and the internet

Description

This subject deals with information systems as part of business organisations. It addresses the processes of generation, dissemination, retention, application, and distribution of corporate information and knowledge. The subject also includes key aspects of information systems development approaches and ways of designing systems that provide business intelligence to enterprises. A range of issues in business organisations with regard to knowledge management is covered. The techniques are explored practically in project-based assignments.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Apply the data to knowledge continuum to describe how business intelligence is used within organisations. (B.1)
2. Apply data-processing techniques and contextualisation for use in accurate and timely decision making. (C.1)
3. Create value for an organisation by using visual storytelling with data. (D.1)
4. Use technical, analytical, and communication skills to demonstrate business intelligence analysis for decision support. (E.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

  • Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
  • Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
  • Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
  • Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

Students learning is facilitated by weekly lectures and tutorials over 12 weeks. There will be one hour of online lectures and two hours of on-campus tutorials every week. The weekly subject content is presented via Canvas. The weekly resources will be made available one week in advance on the subject site. This staggered release format has been specifically designed to promote “distributed practice”. Pre-readings and activities released before classes are focus materials that will underpin actions in each class. Lectures are pre-recorded and provided on Canvas so that the ‘lecture’ can focus on clarifications and Q&As. The lecture material, prescribed readings and online activities will provide students with the information required to engage with the subject content and consolidate their learning. Formative revision quizzes are available every week to provide an opportunity for students to self-evaluate their understanding of subject material.

Assessment tasks are designed to provide ongoing feedback to students to practice some of the concepts covered in the context of real-life situations. The in-class collaborative activities and weekly case study discussion forums foster student learning to apply theory in practice. Students are strongly encouraged to engage with the case study discussion forums by posting questions or comments and reading, answering and replying to other students’ posts to help build a sense of community and enhance understanding of the content, critical thinking, and written communication skills.

Content (topics)

  • An overview of business intelligence, analytics, and data science
  • Taxonomy of data, statistical modelling for business analytics, and data visualisation
  • Theories, techniques, and considerations for capturing organisational intelligence
  • Aligning business intelligence with business strategy
  • Techniques for implementing business intelligence systems
  • Future trends, privacy, and managerial considerations in analytics

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Critical Discussion and Inquiry Exercise: Exploring Given Topics

Intent:

To demonstrate the ability to engage in critical discussion, effectively communicate understanding, and express inquiry on given topics.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2, 3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1, C.1, D.1 and E.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Length:

2000 words combined for all relevant exercises

Assessment task 2: Data Storytelling Blog post

Intent:

To critically discuss and reflect on insights from a dataset using narratives and visualisations.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2, 3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1, C.1, D.1 and E.1

Type: Case study
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 10%
Length:

1000 words

Assessment task 3: Data Warehouse Design

Intent:

To enhance database design skills, specifying Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes and emphasize the pivotal importance of data quality and consistency throughout the design of a data warehouse.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

2, 3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

C.1, D.1 and E.1

Type: Case study
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 15%
Length:

500 words

Assessment task 4: Dashboard Design

Intent:

To enhance business intelligence skills through designing a clear and insightful BI dashboard, emphasizing key performance indicators (KPIs) and ethical considerations in data processes and decision-making.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

2, 3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

C.1, D.1 and E.1

Type: Case study
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 15%
Length:

500 words

Assessment task 5: BI Analysis and Implementation

Intent:

Gain a deeper understanding of management and implementation concepts of business intelligence.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2, 3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1, C.1, D.1 and E.1

Type: Project
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 40%
Length:

For project report: 2000 words
Presentation-Approximately 15 mins per group (including the Q&A) where each group member must present for at least 2 mins

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.

Recommended texts

Sharda, R., Delen, D., and Turban, E. Business Intelligence, Analytics and Data Science: A Managerial Perspective, Fourth Edition, Global Edition, Pearson Education Limited, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-13-463328-2.

Sabherwal, R., and Becerra-Fernandez, I. Business Intelligence: Practices, Technologies and Management. Wiley. 2013. ISBN: 978-0-470-46170-9.

Howson, C. Successful Business Intelligence. McGraw-Hill. 2013. ISBN: 978-0-071-80919-1.

Other resources

Online support for this subject will be via UTS Canvas subject site at http://canvas.uts.edu.au.

You should also check your UTS email regularly for subject related announcements.