“BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE  Individual Report

In this individual project, you are required to identify a business intelligence application (system) in an industry or organisation and explain how the system can help and/or support these businesses improve their
functional activities and gain competitive advantages. Alternatively, you are
required to identify a problem in an industry or organisation and explain how a
Business Intelligence solution can help and/or support these businesses improve
their functional activities and gain competitive advantages. These might include, decision making,
organizational performance issues, data and information issues and any other
relevant BI issues. You will be required to write a business report in Word and
develop a clear discussion derived from the relevant literature related to your
topic. You are encouraged to use examples of BI tools or applications to
illustrate the findings in your report. Examples are the spreadsheet package
Excel, database application Access, BI tools like SAS, Cognos etc., development
programs, diagrams, charts and tables that help better understand your report.

The
report should be targeted at the Board of Directors or Executive Management
group and be formatted as a formal business report. The content of the report,
including tables and graphs must be appropriate for a Senior Management
audience.
Assignment focus:
There
is a large amount of information available on Business Intelligence. I suggest that
you identify key themes described in the course and use those themes as a basis
of their analysis. This approach will give you the ability to study the key aspects
of the course at a reasonable depth.

While
the theoretical underpinnings of the assignment will be primarily drawn from
lectures/seminars, tutorials and the textbook, students are expected to
supplement this with academic and practitioner-based literature.

A
limitation of this assignment is that you have only got a short period of time
to identify, collect, analyse, and report on your findings. Assessment of your
work will take this into account as long as you demonstrate a reasonable
attempt

Narrow
down your focus to an issue/problem that is small enough to allow you to
complete your analysis in 6 to 8 weeks while avoiding addressing a trivial
issue.

Use
tables and graphs, as appropriate, to communicate your findings and
recommendations

Criteria guide for Project
A general guide used for marking
is attached. A rubric will be used to assess and mark the project.

Section

Executive Summary

Introduction and Background.
Describe the business context, the problem and the main aims of the
report.

Literature review: relevant literature review to the topic,
systems and/or the BI applications proposed in this report.

Evaluation. Explain the
model approach used and the development process. Reflect on the usefulness
and limitations of the BI as well as any management issues identified.

Discussion and analysis: using relevant ways and approaches to
explain the main issues supported by relevant citations. Charts, diagrams and
tables should be also used to help explain your argument
Main BI issues in the study should be covered, explaining the
impacts of BI on organizational aspects such as performance, quality of
products and services, and customer satisfaction

Demonstrates creative and original thinking
Comprehensiveness of report
Write clearly and present report professionally.
Use correct spelling and grammar

Conclusions and recommendations
Clearly state the main conclusions of the report and case study
with some practical suggestions or solutions for your organization.

Business
Intelligence Systems: Demonstrate knowledge of theories relating to information
systems.

Criteria

Standards

Unsatisfactory

Satisfactory

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Reflection
of Theory:
Ability to reflect on the theory in the
context of a given scenario.
10

No demonstrated reflection of theory
presented.

2,1

Basic reflective skills as demonstrated by
the ability to reflect on the what but not why of the scenario.
4, 3

Reasonable reflection as demonstrated by
the ability to reflect on the what and why of the scenario.
6, 5

Deep reflection and general links made
from theory to the scenario.

8, 7

Deep reflection and complex links made
from theory to the scenario.

10, 9

Theory
Application:
Ability to apply the theory to the
scenario.
10

Not developing
logical arguments. Presenting arguments that are generally unclear and not
persuasive.

2,1

A basic level of logical argument
developed. Arguments lack clarity and persuasiveness in a number of areas.
4, 3

Most arguments are logically developed in
a concise and articulate manner. Arguments lack clarity and persuasiveness
some of the time.
6, 5

Development of logical arguments in a
concise and articulate manner. Arguments are generally clear and persuasive.
8, 7

Development of
insightful and logical arguments in a concise and articulate manner. Arguments are excellent in terms of
clarity and persuasiveness.
10, 9

Understanding of Theory:
Ability to identify and
summarise the correct theory.
20

Not identified the correct
theory; not presented the concepts underpinning the theory in a clear and
concise manner.
5, 4, 3, 2

Identified some of the key
concepts underpinning the theory, but did not present the concepts in a clear
or concise manner.
9, 8, 7, 6

Identified most of the key
concepts underpinning the theory, but did not present the concepts in a clear
and concise manner.
13, 12, 11, 10

Presented most of the key
concepts underpinning the theory in a clear and concise manner with
appropriate use of resources.
16, 15, 14, 13

Presented the key concepts
underpinning the theory in a clear and concise manner with appropriate use of
resources.
20, 19, 18, 17

Ability to communicate the rationale for applying the theory:
What are the reasons for
applying the theory in the way that you did?
20

Rationale is unconvincing and
unclear or not presented. Irrelevant or no resources used to support
rationale throughout.
5, 4, 3, 2

Rationale identified for
theory application but the rationale is not properly developed or irrelevant
resources are used at times.
9, 8, 7, 6

Generally clear reasons for
theory application that uses relevant resources.

13, 12, 11, 10

Defendable and clear reasons
for theory application that uses relevant resources.

16, 15, 14, 13

Convincing, defendable and
clear reasons for theory application that uses relevant resources.

20, 19, 18, 17

Ability to communicate the rationale for applying the
tools:
What are the reasons for
applying the tools in the way that you did?
20

Rationale is unconvincing and
unclear or not presented. Irrelevant or no resources used to support
rationale throughout.

5, 4, 3, 2

Rationale identified for
methodology and tool application but the rationale is not properly developed
or irrelevant resources are used at times.
9, 8, 7, 6

Generally clear reasons for
methodology and tool application that reflects understanding of use.

13, 12, 11, 10

Defendable and clear reasons
for methodology and tool application that reflects understanding of use.

16, 15, 14, 13

Convincing, defendable and
clear reasons for methodology and tool application that reflects
understanding of use.

20, 19, 18, 17

Ability to use references to support arguments.
10

Not using
relevant resources to support
arguments

2,1

Occasionally using relevant resources to
support arguments.

4, 3

Relevant resources are used to support the
arguments most of the time.
6, 5

Relevant resources are used to support
arguments throughout.

8, 7

Relevant resources are expertly used to
support arguments throughout.

10, 9

Ability
to communicate responses in a business context.
10

Limited written communication skills.

2,1

Partially adequate though not fully
developed business communication skills.
4, 3

Able to express ideas in a satisfactory
manner.

6, 5

Very good written communication clearly
stated and all aspects covered to a good level.
8, 7

Convincing and inspired argument presented
in written form with no or few errors.
10, 9

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
Individual ReportIn this individual project, you are required to identify a business
intelligence application (system) in an industry or organisation and explain
how the system can help and/or support these businesses improve their
functional activities and gain competitive advantages. Alternatively, you are
required to identify a problem in an industry or organisation and explain how a
Business Intelligence solution can help and/or support these businesses improve
their functional activities and gain competitive advantages. These might include, decision making,
organizational performance issues, data and information issues and any other
relevant BI issues. You will be required to write a business report in Word and
develop a clear discussion derived from the relevant literature related to your
topic. You are encouraged to use examples of BI tools or applications to
illustrate the findings in your report. Examples are the spreadsheet package
Excel, database application Access, BI tools like SAS, Cognos etc., development
programs, diagrams, charts and tables that help better understand your report.The
report should be targeted at the Board of Directors or Executive Management
group and be formatted as a formal business report. The content of the report,
including tables and graphs must be appropriate for a Senior Management
audience.There
is a large amount of information available on Business Intelligence. I suggest that
you identify key themes described in the course and use those themes as a basis
of their analysis. This approach will give you the ability to study the key aspects
of the course at a reasonable depth.While
the theoretical underpinnings of the assignment will be primarily drawn from
lectures/seminars, tutorials and the textbook, students are expected to
supplement this with academic and practitioner-based literature.A
limitation of this assignment is that you have only got a short period of time
to identify, collect, analyse, and report on your findings. Assessment of your
work will take this into account as long as you demonstrate a reasonable
attemptNarrow
down your focus to an issue/problem that is small enough to allow you to
complete your analysis in 6 to 8 weeks while avoiding addressing a trivial
issue.Use
tables and graphs, as appropriate, to communicate your findings and
recommendationsCriteria guide for ProjectA general guide used for marking
is attached. A rubric will be used to assess and mark the project.SectionExecutive SummaryIntroduction and Background.
Describe the business context, the problem and the main aims of the
report.Literature review: relevant literature review to the topic,
systems and/or the BI applications proposed in this report.Evaluation. Explain the
model approach used and the development process. Reflect on the usefulness
and limitations of the BI as well as any management issues identified. Discussion and analysis: using relevant ways and approaches to
explain the main issues supported by relevant citations. Charts, diagrams and
tables should be also used to help explain your argument Main BI issues in the study should be covered, explaining the
impacts of BI on organizational aspects such as performance, quality of
products and services, and customer satisfaction Demonstrates creative and original thinkingComprehensiveness of reportWrite clearly and present report professionally.Use correct spelling and grammarConclusions and recommendations Clearly state the main conclusions of the report and case study
with some practical suggestions or solutions for your organization.Business
Intelligence Systems: Demonstrate knowledge of theories relating to information
systems.CriteriaStandardsUnsatisfactorySatisfactoryGoodVery GoodExcellentReflection
of Theory:Ability to reflect on the theory in the
context of a given scenario.10No demonstrated reflection of theory
presented. 2,1Basic reflective skills as demonstrated by
the ability to reflect on the what but not why of the scenario.4, 3Reasonable reflection as demonstrated by
the ability to reflect on the what and why of the scenario.6, 5Deep reflection and general links made
from theory to the scenario.8, 7Deep reflection and complex links made
from theory to the scenario.10, 9Theory
Application:Ability to apply the theory to the
scenario.10Not developing
logical arguments. Presenting arguments that are generally unclear and not
persuasive.2,1A basic level of logical argument
developed. Arguments lack clarity and persuasiveness in a number of areas.4, 3Most arguments are logically developed in
a concise and articulate manner. Arguments lack clarity and persuasiveness
some of the time.6, 5Development of logical arguments in a
concise and articulate manner. Arguments are generally clear and persuasive. 8, 7Development of
insightful and logical arguments in a concise and articulate manner. Arguments are excellent in terms of
clarity and persuasiveness.10, 9Understanding of Theory:Ability to identify and
summarise the correct theory.20Not identified the correct
theory; not presented the concepts underpinning the theory in a clear and
concise manner.5, 4, 3, 2Identified some of the key
concepts underpinning the theory, but did not present the concepts in a clear
or concise manner.9, 8, 7, 6Identified most of the key
concepts underpinning the theory, but did not present the concepts in a clear
and concise manner.13, 12, 11, 10Presented most of the key
concepts underpinning the theory in a clear and concise manner with
appropriate use of resources.16, 15, 14, 13Presented the key concepts
underpinning the theory in a clear and concise manner with appropriate use of
resources.20, 19, 18, 17Ability to communicate the rationale for applying the theory: What are the reasons for
applying the theory in the way that you did?20Rationale is unconvincing and
unclear or not presented. Irrelevant or no resources used to support
rationale throughout.5, 4, 3, 2Rationale identified for
theory application but the rationale is not properly developed or irrelevant
resources are used at times.9, 8, 7, 6Generally clear reasons for
theory application that uses relevant resources. 13, 12, 11, 10Defendable and clear reasons
for theory application that uses relevant resources.16, 15, 14, 13Convincing, defendable and
clear reasons for theory application that uses relevant resources.20, 19, 18, 17Ability to communicate the rationale for applying the
tools: What are the reasons for
applying the tools in the way that you did?20Rationale is unconvincing and
unclear or not presented. Irrelevant or no resources used to support
rationale throughout.5, 4, 3, 2Rationale identified for
methodology and tool application but the rationale is not properly developed
or irrelevant resources are used at times.9, 8, 7, 6Generally clear reasons for
methodology and tool application that reflects understanding of use.13, 12, 11, 10Defendable and clear reasons
for methodology and tool application that reflects understanding of use.16, 15, 14, 13Convincing, defendable and
clear reasons for methodology and tool application that reflects
understanding of use.20, 19, 18, 17Ability to use references to support arguments.10Not using
relevant resources to support
arguments2,1Occasionally using relevant resources to
support arguments.4, 3Relevant resources are used to support the
arguments most of the time.6, 5Relevant resources are used to support
arguments throughout. 8, 7Relevant resources are expertly used to
support arguments throughout.10, 9Ability
to communicate responses in a business context.10Limited written communication skills. 2,1Partially adequate though not fully
developed business communication skills.4, 3Able to express ideas in a satisfactory
manner.6, 5Very good written communication clearly
stated and all aspects covered to a good level.8, 7Convincing and inspired argument presented
in written form with no or few errors.10, 9”