Students

BUSA3021 – PACE: Business Analytics Project

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Olivera Marjanovic
olivera.marjanovic@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
BUSA3020
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides a platform for students to exercise the knowledge and skills that they have gained in previous units. The major component of the unit is an organisation-based group project, where students will actively engage with an organisation including but not limited to: not-for-profit organisations, government agencies, companies, and industry partners. Group work engages students in the challenges of interpersonal communication, task allocation, coordination and control. Students will gain an insight into the analytical problems faced by organisations and be able to contextualise their graduate capabilities into the final business project. The unit will consider key issues, concepts and frameworks of analytics ethics, and social responsibility, and how these can be applied to policy and practice. The class is conducted through lectures, workshops and discussions where students will develop an analytical solution around the client specified information-based problem. Throughout the unit, the emphasis is on the analysis process: identifying information needs, acquiring the necessary information, interpreting it and using it as the basis for strategic recommendations back to the client partner. Visit Employability Connect for important information on this unit.

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: Successfully work in teams to achieve group and organisational objectives.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate knowledge of data analysis techniques and apply various quantitative data analysis techniques to resolve the information needs of an organisation.
  • ULO3: Be able to conduct an organisational and industry analysis to assess business opportunities by analysing customers, competitors, collaborators, and other external forces in a collaborative setting.
  • ULO4: Critically examining problem areas, developing feasible analytics investment decision options, developing key recommendations, and communicating this strategic thinking to others.
  • ULO5: Enhance awareness of analytics' contribution to society through discussion of ethical and professional conduct and issues in corporate social responsibility.

General Assessment Information

Late Submission Penalties

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Skills development: Professional reflection 40% No 07/04/2026 Individual Yes Open AI
Professional practice: Data analytics for business strategy 40% No Report-Sun 31/5 (Week 12); Presentation-Wed 3/6 (Week 13) Individual and Group No Open AI
Skills development: Development portfolio 20% No 07/06/2026 Individual Yes Open AI

Skills development: Professional reflection

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 07/04/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to reflect on your professional development, industry project experience, teamwork, and emerging trends in business analytics, including ethical considerations and the future of work.

You will develop professional self-awareness, enhance your ability to ‘learn how to learn,’ and critically evaluate the skills and knowledge gained and will strengthen your critical thinking and professional awareness, gaining a competitive edge in real-world business environments.

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship
  • Work readiness

 

Deliverable(s): Reflective report [max 1500 words]

Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Successfully work in teams to achieve group and organisational objectives.
  • Be able to conduct an organisational and industry analysis to assess business opportunities by analysing customers, competitors, collaborators, and other external forces in a collaborative setting.
  • Critically examining problem areas, developing feasible analytics investment decision options, developing key recommendations, and communicating this strategic thinking to others.
  • Enhance awareness of analytics' contribution to society through discussion of ethical and professional conduct and issues in corporate social responsibility.

Professional practice: Data analytics for business strategy

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Report-Sun 31/5 (Week 12); Presentation-Wed 3/6 (Week 13)
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to analyse business opportunities using data analytics, design strategic recommendations, and present your findings fit for a professional audience.

You will work collaboratively in teams, applying data analysis techniques to address business needs while evaluating industry and organisational opportunities.

Skills in focus:

  • Critical thinking and problem solving 
  • Communication skills
  • Collaboration skills 
  • Work readiness
  • Discipline knowledge 

 

Deliverable(s): Wrtten submission [max 3000 words] and presentation (15 minutes)

 

Individual and group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Successfully work in teams to achieve group and organisational objectives.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of data analysis techniques and apply various quantitative data analysis techniques to resolve the information needs of an organisation.
  • Be able to conduct an organisational and industry analysis to assess business opportunities by analysing customers, competitors, collaborators, and other external forces in a collaborative setting.
  • Critically examining problem areas, developing feasible analytics investment decision options, developing key recommendations, and communicating this strategic thinking to others.
  • Enhance awareness of analytics' contribution to society through discussion of ethical and professional conduct and issues in corporate social responsibility.

Skills development: Development portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 07/06/2026
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to reflect on the success of the project, consider client feedback, and articulate the business analytics skills you have developed for your future professional practice.

You will analyse business opportunities and industry trends while considering ethical and professional implications. This assessment will strengthen your reflective and analytical abilities, helping you connect your project experience to your ongoing professional development.

Skills in focus:

  • Global, ethical and environmental citizenship 
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Work readiness
  • Discipline knowledge

 

Deliverable(s): Written submission [1500 words] Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Successfully work in teams to achieve group and organisational objectives.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of data analysis techniques and apply various quantitative data analysis techniques to resolve the information needs of an organisation.
  • Be able to conduct an organisational and industry analysis to assess business opportunities by analysing customers, competitors, collaborators, and other external forces in a collaborative setting.
  • Critically examining problem areas, developing feasible analytics investment decision options, developing key recommendations, and communicating this strategic thinking to others.
  • Enhance awareness of analytics' contribution to society through discussion of ethical and professional conduct and issues in corporate social responsibility.

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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

The unit is comprised of 13 weekly in-person classes (1.5h lecture + 1.5 tutorial), held on-campus in weeks 1 to 13.

The unit is NOT designed for remote learning due the project-nature of this unit and work with the client. Weekly in-person attendace is expected.

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

Starting from S1, 2026 the weekly delivery of the unit has changed from a 3h workshop to 1.5 lecture + 1.5 tutorial. 

Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook