Learning Activity 3.1: Devotional

Introduction and Purpose of Assignment

Applying perspectives throughout our learning process is an important aspect for recognizing and pursuing personal Christian development. Each week a devotional is shared that applies to the learning objectives and activities for that week.

Objectives

· Apply Christian principles in critical thinking and decision-making.

Resources

Idleman, K. (2013). Gods at war: Defeating the idols that battle for your heart. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Instructions

1. Read Chapters 5 and 6 of “Gods at War: Defeating the Idols That Battle for your Heart.”

2. On pp. 108-110, Idleman discusses your “Idol ID”.

a. Consider the questions the author poses with respect to some of the things that prevent us from having intimacy with God.

3. Post your thoughts on this devotion in the discussion forum titled 3.1 Devotional.

4. Response to the posts of other students is not required, but is encouraged.

Learning Activity 3.2: Business Strategy Discussion

Introduction and Purpose of Assignment

We have discussed the concept and importance of using data analytics to make decisions, but it is important to be able to see how analytics have been used in a business context. This discussion includes the review of how analytics has been effectively used in industry.

Objectives

· Assess how business analytics can be integrated into business strategy. (3.1)

Theory and Context

A business’s management uniquely defines that company’s business strategies. Strategies can be externally focused, such as how to increase market share; or internally focused, such as how IT or accounting, for example, can strategically support the operations of the organization. Business strategies should start with the organization’s mission, vision, and objectives and produce a guide that shows stakeholders how the business intends to better meet the mission, vision, and objectives in the future. The use of business analytics can be a powerful tool in helping organizations sustain profitability and meet objectives, if integrated strategically.

Resources

Kcamire 123 (2010, April 15). Business analytics skills: IBM [Video file]. Retrieved from

Instructions

1. Ashe (2010) discusses the potential benefit of business analytics. For this discussion:

a. Find an article that discusses one company’s use of business analytics to successfully support the organization’s strategy.

b. Summarize the article in the discussion. Provide the complete reference information for the article so that others can read the article as part of their discussion interaction.

2. Post your responses in the discussion forum titled 3.2 Business Strategy Discussion.

3. Use the Discussion Rubric below to ensure you have met all the criteria for this assignment.

Discussion Rubric

DISCUSSION	F level	D level	C level	B level	A level
Content40%	Postings do not address the topic.	Postings do not clearly address the topic or else they repeat what has already been said.	Postings are lacking in substance and only add minimal information to the discussion.	Postings are somewhat researched and offer some analysis of the assignment.	Postings (min. 200 words) are well researched and involve thoughtful, detailed analysis and critical thinking.
Interactive Responses30%	There is no interaction with other individuals.	There is little substance in the interaction with other individuals.	There is at least one substantive interaction or there are multiple interactions that are not substantive with other individuals.Student shows little initiative in conversing.	There are at least two somewhat substantive interactions or one very substantive interaction with other individuals.Student is responding as required but is not adding any new ideas.	There are at least two very substantive interactions with other individuals (min. 50 words each).Student is actively engaged in discussing the topic and giving valuable insights.
Timeliness20%	Initial responses are posted on the seventh day of the week.Interactive posts are not done in time to provide other students sufficient time to respond.	Initial responses are posted on the sixth day of the week.Interactive posts are done in time to provide other students sufficient time to respond.	Initial responses are posted on the fifth day of the week.Interactive posts are done in time to provide other students sufficient time to respond.	Initial responses are posted on the fourth day of the week.Interactive posts are not done on two different days.	Initial responses are posted on the fourth day of the week.Interactive posts are done on two different days.
Mechanics10%	Standard grammar mechanics are unacceptable.	Standard grammar mechanics are inadequate for this level of student work.	Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and standard English are not completely used. Citations are missing.	Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and standard English are used. Citations are missing when called for.	Proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and standard English are used. Citations are included as needed.

3.2 Business Strategy Discussion

Points: 25

Learning Activity 3.3: Maturity Model Discussion

Introduction and Purpose of Assignment

This discussion will consider the overall use of business analytics by the some of the companies you might be familiar with. You will see if the overall level of analytics use is appropriate – and why or why not.

Objectives

· Discuss the maturity process of business analytics for an organization. (3.2)

Theory and Context

Bartlett (2013) provides a visual representation of the maturing use of analytics by organizations. Due to the cost and the expertise needed, most organizations cannot “jump in” by implementing a highly structured analytically-based decision-making process. Organizations will exist at all levels identified within the model.

Instructions

1. Using Figure 6.10, Business Analytics Maturity Model, as a basis, discuss the current level of an organization you are familiar with or have researched.

a. Provide your analysis of why you think the organization is at its current level, examples that support your analysis, and the direction you think the company is headed in the use of analytics.

2. Post your responses in the discussion forum titled 3.3 Maturity Model Discussion.

3. Use the Discussion Rubric referenced earlier in this document to ensure you have met all the criteria for this assignment.

Discussion Rubric (above)

3.3 Maturity Model Discussion

Points: 25

Learning Activity 3.4: Team Activity: Visual Map

Introduction and Purpose of Assignment

During this class you will work in a team to evaluate a publicly traded company using various business analytical approaches.

Objectives

Create a visual map to demonstrate analytic needs. (3.3)

Theory and Context

Sharma (2011-2021) states that that a significant obstacle to being effective strategically is for a business not to connect objectives with measurable outcomes. One way to do this with analytics is to visually map the process. Bartlett (2013) presents various visual maps in Section 6.1 that can be used in this process.

Resources

Sharma, H. (2011-2021). How to translate business objectives into measurable goals.

Retrieved from http://www.seotakeaways.com/translate-business-objectives-

measurable-goals/#ixzz2lDHXR3ox/

Instructions

1. Using the Business Purpose that your team defined in Week Two, create a visual map of the Purpose. Include the questions asked in Figure 6.3 Value Diagram to direct the assignment:

a. Why is this important to shareholders?

b. What do you transform and how to measure it?

c. How do you effect this transformation?

2. Use the Team rubric below to guide your collaboration efforts. The points in the Team rubric represent only your collaboration (10 pts). The remaining points assigned to this activity will represent the quality of the work (40 pts).

a. All group assignments should have a list provided after the References that indicates each individual’s contribution to the project.

3. Have one member of your team submit your exercise to your facilitator using the drop box titled 3.4 Team Activity: Visual Map by the end of the week.

Team Effort Rubric

Team Effort (10 points)
10-9 points	8 points	7-6 points	5-0 points
Team effort is organized, structured, and proportioned well between members.	Team effort is clear and proportioned well between members.	Team effort is evident, but not proportioned well between members.	Team effort is not evident or well-proportioned between members.
Personal contributions are identified and completed in a timely manner.	Personal contributions are identified and contributed, but caused the team delays.	Personal contributions are not clear, although contribution is evident.	Participation is unclear and does not seem to positively impact the team.

3.4 Team Activity: Visual Map

Points: 50

Learning Activity 3.5: Analysis Inventory

Introduction and Purpose of Assignment

Before crunching numbers can happen, a mapping of analytics needs should be done. The article in the resources section of this learning activity provides an example of how analytical methods were applied to designing and writing websites. While this resource focuses on a different objective than this assignment’s scenario, the process used to address the problem will be similar.

Objectives

· Evaluate an analysis inventory of analytical needs for a business problem. (3.4)

Theory and Context

High analytics users may want to start at the end of the problem: crunching numbers; however, the emphasis in analytics could easily be placed on breaking down our business problems into more manageable pieces. The application of technology needs to fit the problem(s) defined and not simply be implemented for the sake of the technology’s capabilities.

Instructions

1. Download the chart template titled WK3 Analysis Inventory from Course Documents in your e360 classroom.

2. Using the following scenario, create an analysis inventory:

a. Your company is a $20 million Mid-west manufacturer. During the past five years sales growth has slowed from 15% per year, to 2% per year. Company management has decided that introducing the product into the European market will reduce the declining sales growth trend. Management wants you to run some analytics on the situation.

3. Using the chart template, identify 10 actual situations that analytics would evaluate to better evaluate this problem/decision.

a. Support your analysis of Industry Knowledge and Accuracy/Reliability. Do not just indicate High/Medium/Low.

b. For one of the Specific Analysis Problems Identified, determine a piece of software available that the company could use in analyzing the problem.

4. Submit your exercise to your facilitator using the drop box titled 3.5 Analysis Inventory by the end of the week.

Grading Guide

3.5 Analysis Inventory

Points: 50