LD7206 Data Analytics & Project Management for Business Assessment Brief

LD7206 Instructions on Assessment:

Data-driven decision making has become increasingly important for modern businesses as it helps organisations to develop, implement, monitor and control their strategies and tactics. Indeed, using data-driven decision making can help you to better understand and analyse business problems and opportunities and identify potential solutions. As such developing data analytics skills can give you competitive edge as more and more employers are increasingly seeking candidates with data analysis and problem-solving skills.

Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs)

1. Have a critical understanding of project management principles, methods, techniques, and tools.
2. Be able to critically apply decision making, problem solving and project management skills in a given problem/opportunity scenario.
3. Be able to critically apply data analytics tools/software packages in a given problem scenario.
4. Be able to demonstrate and reflect on the interpersonal and team working skills.

Instructions on Assessment

The module will be assessed by two summative assessment, one group presentation and one individual essay having 30% and 70% weight respectively.

Assignment Task 1 (30%)

Task 1 covers MLO3. This is a group assignment, and the module tutor will assign students to the groups. The presentations will be scheduled in the week 10. In addition to the module tutors an industry professional will also attend the presentations. The presentation will be of 15 minutes for each group, followed by at 5 minutes questions and answers session. Each group member must contribute to the presentation and must present his or her part.

Background of the task

Northumbria University London is planning to organise a convocation in London to ensure most of the graduates of London Campus should get opportunity to be part of the celebrations. The convocation is followed by a concert. The planning and execution on these projects are already started. The organising committee wants to assess the progress of these two projects. You must select one project for evaluation either Convocation or Concert.

Tasks

Your group is appointed as a Project Analyst by the university management to review the progress. Your group may choose one of the projects (either convocation or concert). You are expected to deliver a presentation that will critically appraise your chosen project.

The presentation should include these parts:

1. An introduction to the problem/opportunity statement regarding the chosen project [10%]
2. Identifying the stakeholders and deliverables of the project [20%]
3. Critically evaluate the progress on the project by using key business intelligence/data analytics by developing dashboards (You may use MS Excel or other software(s) [30%]
4. Critically analyse and justify the developed dashboard [20%]
5. Conclusion and recommendations for the successful implementation and use of a BI / DA solution in your chosen project [10%]
6. Clarity of expression. The presentation must be supported by academic references and examples and include a single reference list [10%]

(Note: Each group will assume that a project in progress, you may assume it is in the middle of completion or almost completed. You have to assume some data by yourself to show/exhibit the dashboards, as we are assessing your abilities of developing dashboards in question 3. You may refer to a Project dashboard given in the week 4)

Assignment Task 2: (70%)

Each student will submit an individual report (word limit 2,000 words). This report will consist of the following sections laid out as follows:

1. Provide the introduction of the project on which you worked as a team member. Discuss its planning, execution, and evaluation phase. Critically analyse the tools and techniques used in project management. (600 words, 30%) [ML01]
2. Identify the stakeholders of the project and evaluate the potential causes of conflicts amongst stakeholders for your chosen project. Assess the risk associated with the project during various project life cycle stages and the risk mitigation strategies (1000 words, 50%) [MLO2]
3. Reflect on your role as a member of project analyst team. Critically analyse the project team dynamics amongst the team members and role of the team leadership in creating effective project teams to achieve objectives by applying SCRUM Agile Leadership. (400 words, 20%) [MLO4]

Assignment Guidance Notes:

In the task one each group of students must do a 15-minute presentation followed by a five-minute question and answer session. Each group must upload th PPTs (power point file) on the Blackboard assignment submission sites. Only one group member will upload the file.
The task two is an academic essay. Each student will submit an individual report (word limit 

2,000 words). The assignment has to be uploaded on the Blackboard assignment submission sites. 
References: Remember that all sources cited in the assignment should appear in the reference list. And you should follow APA referencing style.
Appendices (not more than 6 pages). These should be used for supporting data and can include tables and graphs.

Where to find additional assessment support:

Include information on folders on Blackboard, assessment Q&As, assessment sessions, etc.

General notes:

Word limits and penalties for assignments
If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply.
The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment. The word count does not include:

Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives:

This assessment will contribute directly to the following Postgraduate programme goals and objectives.

Goal One: To develop the skills necessary for employment and career progression

1. Demonstrate awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses and the ability to engage in
continuing self-development.
2.Demonstrate the development of inter-personal and intra-personal skills.
3. Demonstrate competence in contemporary analytical and ICT applications.

Goal Two: Be culturally and ethically aware

1. Demonstrate their ability to work in culturally diverse groups and teams and make appropriate and personal contribution to team effectiveness.
2. Reflect on their own ethical values.
3. Understand the wider impact of individual or organisational decision making on social and environmental contexts.

Goal Three: Have developed leadership and management capability

1. Communicate complex issues effectively.
X 2. Demonstrate decision making and problem solving and project management skills.

Goal Four: Have developed and applied knowledge of international business and management theory

1. Acquire, interpret and apply knowledge of international business, management and organisational functions.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of innovative and contemporary research on the business and management community.
3. Acquire, interpret and apply specialist functional knowledge in relation to their programme of study (specialist programmes only).

Goal Five: Have developed a range of research skills and project capabilities

1. Plan and complete a major individual piece of research on a contemporary business, financial, management or leadership topic of their choice.
2. Demonstrate skills of analysis and synthesis in the application of research methods to the exploration of contemporary business issues.

Marking Criteria for Assessment A

Marking Criteria for Assessment B