Becoming an Effective Business Analyst

Description

Overview: The other taught modules on the programme introduce a variety of techniques, methods, models and approaches to the student. However, the practical reality of applying analytical methods in business is often far removed from the classroom. Working with decision-makers on real issues presents a variety of challenges. For example, data may well be ambiguous and hard to come by, it may be far from obvious which business analysis methods can be applied and managers will need to be convinced of the business merits of any suggested solutions. While traditional teaching can alert students to such issues, understanding needs to be reinforced by experience. This class runs through both semesters of the degree, in parallel with the other classes. It introduces students, mostly through experiential learning, to as much as possible of the practical reality of becoming an effective business analyst and the key skills required to function as an effective consultant in this area. The broad aims of the class are to develop skills in (i) the effective practice of implementing business analysis tools and techniques and an appreciation of the issues which may arise (ii) functioning as an effective business analyst consultant. The class will consist of; 1. A series of semi- or unstructured business problems, typically introduced by a manager from an outside organisation. The business problems will typically relate to a topic/technique recently covered in one of the other modules. Students spend time tackling unstructured problems, usually in groups, and present and compare their findings. These sessions include "workshops" in which students analyse real problems presented by managers as guests of the Department (in addition, practitioners give more general talks to the class on business analysis/consulting within their own organisations). Following these case studies reflective sessions will be held which focuses on the development of reflective practitioner skills 2. Experience is augmented, and integrated with, the rest of the course by a series of workshops on directly related topics that will provide guidance on key skills development. Syllabus: There are three inter-related elements of the class: 1. A series of semi- or unstructured business problems, typically introduced by a manager from an outside organisation. These involve business analyst practitioners and business managers acting as clients, outlining real projects/cases,/“problems” that they have been involved in. Students are formed into small working groups and placed in the role of analysts/consultants with a brief of advising the client on how to tackle the “problem”. The typical case will involve the following key elements. 1.1 Briefing by the client The client will introduce the case, provide any data/information that is available and will answer any questions from the groups (if they can). The timescale for the project will also be set. 1.2 Group work Students will be formed into groups. Group size will vary from case to case and group membership will change from case to case. During this stage, the student will normally have access to the client (typically by email) and will be required to manage their relationship with the client during this time. 1.3 Presentation to the client Each group will make an informal presentation of its work/findings/recommendations to the client. The client may provide guidance as to how long the presentation should last. Groups should be prepared to answer questions and react to comments from the client and other members of the class. 1.4 Group report A group report on the project must be submitted to both the lecturers and the client at the time of the presentations. This will be formally assessed and marked. 1.5 Reflections/Learning Points session An informal session where students are debriefed on the case and helped to reflect on the experience and the learning. 2. A series of supporting workshops providing guidance on skills development These will take place at suitable points over the two semesters and may include: Project design and project proposal writing Planning and Managing projects Managing the client/consultant relationship Working effectively as a consultant Report writing Presentation skills Effective team work Workshops may be led by staff in the Department of Management Science or by invited guest lecturers elsewhere in the University or external to the University. Multiple opinions will be made available to students though e.g. the use of panel sessions consisting of a number of business consultants 3. a period of 3 weeks spent as an apprentice business analyst in an organisation. This working placement provides an opportunity to experience something of life in a business analysis (or related) group, and to discuss and learn from it. Students spend three weeks at the start of Semester 2 within a group in industry, commerce or government. Students work as temporary members of the group, helping with whatever business analysis related tasks the host group deems fit. Students are required to submit a report on their apprenticeship and an informal presentation to the class. Both of these will require students to report back on both the day-to-day work that they were involved in and their reflections of the organisation/team/environment they were placed in. Learning Outcomes: a. Subject-specific knowledge • work efficiently together in small teams • make sensible and informed decisions about how to gather data • analyse data given constraints on time and manpower available to the group; • draw lessons about the need to make choices in applying analytical methods; • appreciate the consequences of choosing different analytical approaches; • implement studies requiring significant data management skills, under time pressure; • present and explain findings, in spoken and written form, to a professional standard. • develop an understanding and appreciation of different approaches to analysis and modelling to support management decision making • appreciate the issues which arise in putting business analysis into practice • be able to design and plan a project • write realistic and effective project proposals • appreciate the importance of, and what can impact upon, a client/consultant relationship b. Cognitive abilities and non-subject-specific skills • critical thinking • group facilitation • team working skills through group work • communication skills, both verbal and written • working effectively to short deadlines • reflection • interviewing skills • ability to effectively plan and manage your workload Assessment: There are three elements to assessment: 1. Unstructured business problem case studies (average accross all case studies - 50%) 2. Reflective Report (10%) 3. Unstructured Exam (40%) The unstructured Exam will take place at the end of Semester 2.Students must pass the exam to pass the module overall. Reassessment would be a retake of the unstructured examination.