BI Systems Business Case - University Coursework

Why not anonymously marked?

Why not anonymously marked?

The University has introduced the requirement to anonymously mark all assessment work. However, it recognises that, for some forms of assessment, anonymous marking is neither possible nor appropriate. Following prior consultation between students and staff, it has been agreed that this assessment will not be marked anonymously as it comprises work individually negotiated with the tutor and there will be individual interaction with the tutor to acquire formative feedback. Thus, this work cannot be marked anonymously as the work will be individually identifiable by your assessing tutor.

The learning outcomes that are assessed by this coursework are:

LO1: To critically appraise an organisation’s existing provision of Management Support Systems (MSS), which includes BI systems, based on a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of BI systems and their relationships with other MSS

LO2: To identify, and provide a thorough and convincing business case for, a BI system development opportunity for a target organization

LO4: Demonstrate the ability to create and communicate BI systems proposals in a professional and persuasive manner, whilst drawing upon appropriate evidence sources which may, in turn, be incomplete, contradictory and complex.

Based on, or within, a company1 of your choosing2, provide a business case for a BI system development proposal for that company. This could be a completely new BI system proposal (if there was none already present within your chosen company) or provide proposed changes to the existing BI System within your chosen company. The business case should allow senior management within that company to effectively assess the feasibility of your proposal. It should follow the Business Case report template that is provided towards the end of this brief, and provide at least the following information:

·An overview of the BI system proposal, which may include the management information it will provide, its possible data source(s) and its underlying technical architecture.

·How the BI system proposal aligns with your company’s corporate strategy.

·An analysis of existing BI systems found within your company’s key competitors, and what this means for the BI systems proposal that you are presenting.

·An overview of the current position with respect to MSS within your company and how the BI system proposal overcomes any weaknesses in these systems.

·Cost Benefit Analysis.

·Risk Assessment.

Non-technical, as well as technical, aspects will need to be considered where appropriate.

You MUST also provide an Appendix A to your business case that provides a concise and clear overview of the selected organization, including:

·Its purpose, including corporate vision and strategy.

·Its overall structure.

·Its existing MSS/IS/IT infrastructure.

Although not usually expected within a BI systems business case, Appendix A provides organizational context for your business case as well as allowing you to showcase your understanding of MSS features and categorizations.

There are two4 formal deliverables to this assessment; one formative presentation (which must be attempted to ensure the full range of marks are available), and one summative BI Systems’ Business Case.

·Formative presentation:

The formative presentation provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable feedback from both your tutor and your peer group regarding your work on your BI systems’ business case so far. It also allows you to learn from each other and share knowledge/examples. Finally, it provides a milestone for your own assignment work plan by which point you know you have to have done significant work on the BI systems’ business case. (The tutor will provide you with more information regarding the presentation later in the Module).

Failure to attempt this component will result in you obtaining a maximum of 50% (bare pass) award for the BI systems’ business case.

·BI systems’ business case:

Unless agreed with your tutor3, your business case (including the appendix) will be presented in the form of a structured written report, compliant with the BI Systems Business Case template below.

The marksheet for the summative assessment, completed with your self-evaluations on the criteria listed (please use percentages), should be submitted with your BI Systems’ Business Case