6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Postgraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Unit guides
Synopsis
This unit is intended to provide students with a framework for understanding business intelligence systems as well as the provision of high quality, integrated data for decision support through data warehousing. The unit has a particular focus on the evolutionary process of developing a business intelligence system and multi-dimensional modelling for structuring business intelligence data. The unit also presents students with coverage of several important aspects of business intelligence and data warehousing, including architecture, design, implementation, data sourcing, organisational issues and governance. The unit will present this material using relevant research, case studies and practical exercises. Students will develop a prototype business intelligence system using a business intelligence software package.
Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- describe the scope and application of business intelligence and decision support;
- design systems for sourcing and structuring data to provide an integrated, non-volatile collection of data for decision support using data warehouses;
- design multidimensional data models and implement them using star schemas and relational databases;
- communicate and foster realistic expectations of the role of OLAP technology and business intelligence systems in management and decision support;
- explain the need for evolutionary development approaches to developing business intelligence and data warehouse systems;
- develop a simple business intelligence system using an OLAP tool;
- apply theories and principles of data visualisation to encourage high quality analysis of business information to inform decision making;
- design governance mechanisms for the development and management of business intelligence and data warehouse systems in an organisation.
Assessment
Examination (2 hours plus 30 minutes reading and noting time): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%
Workload requirements
Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:
- Contact hours for on-campus students:
- 2 hours of lectures
- One 2-hour laboratory
- Study schedule for off-campus students:
- Off-campus students generally do not attend lecture and tutorial sessions, however should plan to spend equivalent time working through the relevant resources and participating in discussion groups each week.
- Additional requirements (all students):
- A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.
See also Unit timetable information
Chief examiner(s)
Prerequisites
FIT9132 or FIT5132 or FIT9003 or equivalent
Prohibitions
FIT5095, FIT5093