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MMBA8160 – Business Intelligence and Analytics: Generating Insights

2025 – Term 4, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Nejhdeh Ghevondian
nejhdeh.ghevondian@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MBA or PGDipMgt or GradDipMgt or MSocEntre or GradCertSocEntre or GradCertDigFin
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, data-driven decision-making is paramount for strategic planning, tactical decision-making, and problem-solving. This unit equips modern business managers with quantitative and statistical research tools, advanced data analysis techniques, and machine learning modelling skills essential for harnessing data to drive transformative outcomes. Gain proficiency in quantitative methods and statistical tools to inform strategic decisions and develop innovative business strategies based on data-driven insights. Learn practical data analytics applications for tactical decision-making, including market segmentation, customer profiling, and performance optimisation across business functions. Explore efficient utilisation of resources through data analysis, enabling management effectiveness and cost optimisation strategies.

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: Evaluate disparate data and information using appropriate quantitative tools to evidence and formulate well-informed and robust strategic business decisions.
  • ULO2: Use appropriate quantitative research tools, evaluate and synthesise quantitative data to help assess the implications of strategic decisions from a whole of entity perspective, and across a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
  • ULO3: Critically assess and integrate ethical, social and environmental factors into business decision-making and management practices that are also commercially viable from a quantitative point of view.
  • ULO4: Apply a range of research tools and models of business performance and productivity to measure and track sustainable value creation across organisational processes and projects.

General Assessment Information

  • The in-class quiz will comprise of multiple choice questions conducted on week 10
  • Skills Development: Applied Data Analysis is an individual assignment focused on applied data analytics methodologies. Its submitted as a 'pdf' report
  • Professional Practice: Final project is a group assignment which  includes a presentation section and a report

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written 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 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 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 apply for Special Consideration

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Formal and Observed Learning: In-Class Test 20% No 27/11/2025
Professional Practice: Final project 50% No 27/11/2025
Skills Development: Applied Data Analysis 30% No 30/10/2025

Formal and Observed Learning: In-Class Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 27/11/2025
Weighting: 20%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding and expertise of relevant topics you have gained in this unit. 

You will participate in an open-book 1-hour exam, to be held in class. 

Deliverable: Open-book exam 

Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate disparate data and information using appropriate quantitative tools to evidence and formulate well-informed and robust strategic business decisions.
  • Use appropriate quantitative research tools, evaluate and synthesise quantitative data to help assess the implications of strategic decisions from a whole of entity perspective, and across a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
  • Critically assess and integrate ethical, social and environmental factors into business decision-making and management practices that are also commercially viable from a quantitative point of view.
  • Apply a range of research tools and models of business performance and productivity to measure and track sustainable value creation across organisational processes and projects.

Professional Practice: Final project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 27/11/2025
Weighting: 50%

 

The final week. Comprised of a 30% project report and 10% individual presentation. 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to work with peers to demonstrate your knowledge of statistical analysis methods and ability to identify research questions and interpret analysis results. 

You will work as a group to conduct descriptive and predictive analyses on case data provided, interpret the findings and present your findings as a report and presentation to the class. You will also be asked to submit an individual project management report to outline each group member’s responsibility and how your group managed the group project. 

Skills in focus: 

  • Discipline knowledge 
  • Critical thinking 
  • Communication 
  • Collaboration 

Deliverable: Written group report [max. 20 pages], Group presentation [max. 15 minutes – 10% marked individually and 30% marked as a group] and Individual written report [max. 300 words - 10% marked individually] 

Individual and group assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate disparate data and information using appropriate quantitative tools to evidence and formulate well-informed and robust strategic business decisions.
  • Use appropriate quantitative research tools, evaluate and synthesise quantitative data to help assess the implications of strategic decisions from a whole of entity perspective, and across a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
  • Critically assess and integrate ethical, social and environmental factors into business decision-making and management practices that are also commercially viable from a quantitative point of view.
  • Apply a range of research tools and models of business performance and productivity to measure and track sustainable value creation across organisational processes and projects.

Skills Development: Applied Data Analysis

Assessment Type 1: Programming Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 30/10/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to develop your understanding of statistical methods for analysing survey and transaction data as well as the applications of various types of analytics and analytical tools in business contexts. 

You will conduct various types of analysis on the provided data using analytical tools discussed in the unit and answer the questions based on the findings from your analyses. 

Skills in focus : 

  • Discipline knowledge 
  • Critical thinking 
  • Problem solving 

Deliverable: Written submission 

Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate disparate data and information using appropriate quantitative tools to evidence and formulate well-informed and robust strategic business decisions.
  • Use appropriate quantitative research tools, evaluate and synthesise quantitative data to help assess the implications of strategic decisions from a whole of entity perspective, and across a wide spectrum of stakeholders.
  • Critically assess and integrate ethical, social and environmental factors into business decision-making and management practices that are also commercially viable from a quantitative point of view.
  • Apply a range of research tools and models of business performance and productivity to measure and track sustainable value creation across organisational processes and 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 course does not require any formal text books. The course material will be available for students on a weekly basis
  • This course will also use software tools such as Power BI and GenAI-based tools for conducting the assignments

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