32558 Business Intelligence

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Recommended studies: general knowledge of business organisations and uses of IT and the internet

Handbook description

This subject deals with information systems as part of business organisations. It addresses the processes of generation, dissemination, retention, application and distribution of corporate information and knowledge. The subject also includes key aspects of information systems development approaches and ways of designing systems that provide business intelligence to enterprises. A range of issues in business organisations with regard to knowledge management is covered. The techniques are explored practically in project-based assignments.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject, the student will have:

1. An understanding of information systems as part of business organisations
2. An understanding in enhancing business intelligence using information systems
3. Gained experience of successfully working in a team on an Information System design project
4. An understanding and familiarity to improve organisation's ability to create and mobilize corporate knowledge
5. Gained experience in selecting software tools for knowledge management systems in business organisations
6. Gained knowledge on how to develop ways to design systems to provide business intelligence.

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

This subject describes the importance and applications of information, knowledge, and business intelligence for organisational performance. It introduces the complex processes of generation, dissemination, retention, application and distribution of corporate information and knowledge for organisational use, and provides students with the opportunity to develop their skills in addressing such issues through case based assessments (A1;A2; A3). The subject also introduces key aspects of Information Systems development approaches and develops ways of designing systems that provide business intelligence to enterprises (A5; B1; E3). A range of issues in business organisations with regard to information management are also introduced. The techniques are developed practically in individual and group assignments (B1; D1; E1; E2).

The subject therefore contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

A.1. Needs Analysis; A.2. Establishing priorities and goals; A.3. Constraints uncertainties and risk; A.5. Systems Thinking; B.1. Problem Solving; D.1. Self Management; E.1. Communicate Effectively; E.2.Work in Teams; E.3. Project Management Methodologies, among others.

A complete description of the FEIT graduate attributes is available at the following URL: http://feit.uts.edu.au/faculty/graduate-attributes.html

Teaching and learning strategies

The Subject will be taught by a combination of lectures, tutorials, discussions and group activities. Students can expect to attend 1.5 hour of lecture and 1.5 hour of tutorial session per week. Theoretical materials will be covered in the lecture.

Content

• Information Systems and Information Systems Development approaches
• Using information systems to rethink business processes
• Framework for Business Intelligence
• Theories, techniques, and considerations for capturing organisational intelligence
• Aligning Business Intelligence with Business Strategy
• Techniques for implementing business intelligence systems

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Assignment 1: BI Analysis

Assessment Item 2: Assignment 2: BI Implementation

Assessment Item 3: Final Exam

Minimum requirements

To pass the subject, students must attempt all items of assessment, obtain at least 50% in total, and achieve at least 50% (20/40) in the final examination. Therefore, failure to attain a 50% mark on the final exam, even if the cumulative mark is 50% or more overall, will result in a (X) fail grade in the subject.

References

1. Sabherwal, R. and Becerra-Fernandez, I.(2011). Business Intelligence: Practices, Technologies and Management. John Wiley.
2. Turban,E. and Volonino, L.(2011). Information Technology for Managment: Improving Strategic and Operational Performance. 8th edn.Wiley.
3. Avison, D. and Fitzgerald, G. (2006). Information Systems development: Methodologies, techniques and tools. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill.
4. Anderson-Lehman, R., Watson, H.J., Wixom, B.H., & Hoffer, J.A., 2004, Continental Airlines Flies High with Real-Time Business Intelligence, MIS Quarterly Executive, 3, 4, pp 163-176
5. Gangadharan, G.R., & Swami, N., 2004, Business Intelligence Systems: Design and Implementation Strategies, Proceedings of the 2nd International conference on Technology Interfaces, June 7-10, Cavtat, Croatia, pp 139-144
6. Herschel, T., & Jones, N.E., 2005, Knowledge Management and Business Intelligence: The Importance of Integration, Journal of Knowledge Management, 9, 4, pp 45-55
7. Jourdan, z., Rainer, R.K., & Marshallo, T.E., 2008, Business Intelligence, An Analysis of the Literature, Information Systems Management, 25, pp 121-131
8. Negash, S., 2004, Business Intelligence, Communications of The Associoation for Information Systems, 13, pp 177-195
9. Watson, H.J., Wixom, B.H., 2007, The Current State of Business Intelligence, Computer, September issue, pp 96-99
10. Williams, S., & Williams, N., 2003, The Business Value of Business Intelligence, Business Intelligence Journal, Fall issue, pp 1-11

Other resources

Online support for this subject will be via UTSOnline at http://online.uts.edu.au