Students

BUSA8030 – Management of Data, Analytics and Change

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Nizar Hoblos
nizar.hoblos@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MBusAnalytics or MEngMgt or MActPrac or MCom or MITAI or MIT or GradCertResBus or GradDipResBus
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit makes decision making, people management and soft skills in analytics a priority. It will help students develop an understanding of how data analytics can be used to influence decision making, to manage business processes, projects and people, and to drive change. Students will also learn about enterprise information systems and contemporary digital technologies that are essential for managing data and driving analytics in organisations. The unit will cover topics such as business-analytics alignment, contemporary digital technologies, business process management, change management, and accountability and ethics in business analytics. The unit also will include how to examine the value propositions of data analytics projects and how to engage key stakeholders to achieve short-term and long-term organisational goals.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Assess human, ethical, organisational and technical issues associated with data and business analytics.
  • ULO2: Recognise and apply different perspectives to help organisations develop evidence-based and data driven decision making practices.
  • ULO3: Design and conduct analysis to prepare organisations and employees for change.
  • ULO4: Examine and (re)design business processes for successful use of business analytics initiatives and projects in organisations.
  • ULO5: Examine and analyse fundamental digital technological needed for effective implementation of analytics projects.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (Written and Oral assessments):

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 5th day (including weekends). After the 5th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55 pm on the due date unless otherwise communicated in class and by written announcement on the iLearn forum.

A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience technical difficulties, otherwise all students are encouraged to submitt their work before the 11th hour to be safe. For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration (https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration).

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Professional Practice: Critical Analysis Report 35% No 19/09/2025
Skills Development: Learning Reflection 20% No 17/10/2025
Professional Practice: Business Analytics Project Plan Portfolio 45% No 31/10/2025

Professional Practice: Critical Analysis Report

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 19/09/2025
Weighting: 35%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to conduct a critical analysis of a real-world organisation’s digital, data, and technology strategy, and evaluate how analytics creates value and drives business transformation.

You will choose a case organisation from a selected industry and write a professional business report that critically evaluates the organisation’s goals, the supporting data and analytics technologies, and the enabling management practices. You will also examine how analytics is reshaping the industry and business strategy.

Skills in focus:

  • Analytical skills
  • Change management skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Communication skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Discipline knowledge

Deliverable: Business Report (maximum 2,500 words)

Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise and apply different perspectives to help organisations develop evidence-based and data driven decision making practices.
  • Examine and analyse fundamental digital technological needed for effective implementation of analytics projects.

Skills Development: Learning Reflection

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 17/10/2025
Weighting: 20%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to reflect on your learning journey throughout the unit, specifically focusing on big data, change management, and analytics.

You will demonstrate your ability to assess your understanding by writing two forum posts that critically evaluate your initial perceptions and subsequent learning. These posts will draw from class activities and empirical examples to illustrate your growth in recognising, analysing, and applying key concepts in organisational change and data-driven decision-making.

Skills in focus:

  • Discipline knowledge (data and business analytics concepts),
  • Critical thinking (reflective analysis of empirical examples),
  • Communication (writing concise, clear, and structured forum posts)

Deliverable: Two iLearn Forum Posts (10% each).

Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Assess human, ethical, organisational and technical issues associated with data and business analytics.
  • Recognise and apply different perspectives to help organisations develop evidence-based and data driven decision making practices.
  • Design and conduct analysis to prepare organisations and employees for change.
  • Examine and (re)design business processes for successful use of business analytics initiatives and projects in organisations.

Professional Practice: Business Analytics Project Plan Portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 31/10/2025
Weighting: 45%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to work in a team and act as Business Consultants, applying your skills in business analytics and digital transformation to solve a real-world problem for a specific organisation (government, public, or private sector).

You will collaborate to identify a business challenge and propose a data-driven solution using analytics tools and concepts. The task involves planning and implementing a digital transformation strategy, demonstrating your understanding of change management, process improvement, and the human (hard and soft) elements that support success.

Skills in focus:

  • Discipline knowledge
  • Critical thinking
  • Teamwork
  • Problem solving
  • Decision making
  • Communication skills
  • Written and oral presentation skills

Deliverable: Written Report [10%] + PPT Dashboard [15%] + Oral Presentation [20%]

Group and Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise and apply different perspectives to help organisations develop evidence-based and data driven decision making practices.
  • Examine and analyse fundamental digital technological needed for effective implementation of analytics projects.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

This unit is delivered via a three hours weekly lessons including: One and a half hour lecture plus one and a half hour seminar.

The lecture is comprised of theoretical presentation of key concepts via lecture slides while the seminar comprises of practical hands on activities based on the lecture material and readings. Seminars are not a substitute of the lecture and students are encouraged to attend the lectures and complete the readings and activities presented during the lecture to gain the full benefits of the unit and achieve the learning outcomes. This unit will use a flipped classroom learning approach where students learn new material through videos or readings, outside of class time, and then use class time for interactive activities, discussions, and problem-solving with the instructor acting as a facilitator. There will be a clear focus on critical thinking for problem solving as key skills anticipated from the industry for the future business analyst.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2025.05 of the Handbook