Business Analysis & Decision Making

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Approximately 2.5 hours of personal study per hour of class time is required to achieve a satisfactory level of performance.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject introduces students to the different types of information that business analysts and decision makers gather, and how that information is processed to make effective business decisions. A wide range of strategic and operational business problems and decisions will be considered, from fields such as financial management, marketing, human resource management, supply chain management and international business. The subject explores how organisations gather and generate multiple forms of information, and how this information is analysed and converted into useful knowledge via individual judgement and organisational learning processes. In applying empirical and analytical approaches to practical situations, students will develop insights into both the nature of the business problems as well as methods that are used for identifying and evaluating alternative solutions. The subject content will include conceptual foundations, practical tools, and case studies to discuss the costs, benefits and risks of the various analytical methods that will be introduced.

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Describe the knowledge and comprehension of different approaches to decision making;
• Analyse and evaluate the underlying assumptions and implications for practice of the different approaches;
• Apply different models to real and hypothetical situations.

Summer Term:

• A 2-hour end of term examination (50%);
• 5000 word group assignment due Week 5 (45%); and
• 10 - 12 minute oral presentation associated with group asignment due Week 6 (5%).

Semester 1 and 2:

• A 2-hour end of semester examination (50%);
• 2000 word group assignment due Week 5 (15% );
• 4000 word group assignment due Week 11 (30%); and
• 10 – 12 minute oral presentation associated with group assignment due week 12 (5%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

• Problem solving skills and critical thinking skills through the discussion and written exercises, and the selection of reading material;
• Verbal and written communication skills through discussion and written exercises;
• Research skills through the preparation of the written exercises; and
• Analytical and problem solving skills through the frameworks and tools that will be learned.