Assessment Task

You are required to complete three interrelated assessments for this subject with each to be assessed independently on their own merits. Assessment 2 requires you to produce a 1,000-word business proposal that: (1) demonstrates that data has been obtained and prepared; and (2) critiques the selection of analytical techniques to solve a business problem. The submission will include evidence of the data pre-processing steps taken and a business proposal critiquing how analytical techniques will be selected.

Please refer to the Instructions for details on how to complete this task. To be successful in this assessment, you are required to read the resources provided in Modules 2 to 4.

Context

Assessment 2 will prepare you to solve a business problem using your dataset for analysis. Translating a business problem into an optimisation and analytics solution is a process that requires significant preparation. Firstly, you must understand the business problem. Secondly, you must obtain and prepare the data to solve that problem. Thirdly, you must identify optimisation and analytical goals and techniques. Only after this preparation can you effectively perform the analysis and map the problem and goals to one or more business patterns. Therefore, preparation work is essential for a professional data analyst to perform before solutions to business problems can be discovered. In completing Assessment 2, you will gain the skills to identify an appropriate business

problem, obtain and prepare data to solve that problem, and utilise the tools and methods to confidently provide quality analysis.

Instructions

Obtain and prepare data for an in-depth analysis of a business problem and produce a business proposal of 1,000 words (+/- 10%) that critiques your selection of analytical techniques. To be successful in this assessment, you are required to read the resources provided in Modules 2 to 4. Please complete the following three key tasks:

1. Identify business problem andselected dataset

Assessment 2 is the second of three interrelated assessments in this subject with each to be independently assessed. Therefore, in Assessment 2, you can modify or even change the business problem and/or the selected dataset originally proposed in Assessment 1, based on the feedback you have received. Refining the problem and dataset will ensure that it aligns with the requirements for Assessment 2.

If you select a public dataset, a valid link to the dataset must be provided. If selecting a private dataset, a separate file must be uploaded when submitting your business proposal for this assessment. The best approach is to download and compress the dataset as a .zip file and submit this file together with the research report, using the following naming convention: BANASD603_LastnameFirstname_Assessment2Dataset.zip

Full instructions for how to do so will be provided by your Learning Facilitator. Any alternative approach to submitting your dataset file (such as providing a link to a shared drive), must be negotiated with your Learning Facilitator.

Since completing Assessment 1, if you decide to switch to a private dataset, remember that it is your responsibility to obtain permission from the data owner to use that data (e.g., from your employer). Usually, access to public datasets does not involve such privacy concerns.

1. Obtain and prepare data using SAS Viya

An optimisation tool called SAS Viya will be used as the basis for Assessment 2.

SAS Viya is a powerful data mining tool used to provide valuable analytical insights (introduced in Module 1). To access SAS Viya, you will be given instructions for enrolling in SAS AcademicsOnDemand, an online platform through which the software is freely available for use in this assessment. For detailed instructions, refer to the Essential Resources provided in Module 2.

1. Critique the selection of suitable analysis technique(s) for solving a business problem

Your 1,000-word (+/- 10%) business proposal should be structured using the following headings (each section is not given equal weighting):

• Title Page:

  • include subject ID and name, student ID, email and name, Learning Facilitator name and date of submission.
  • Table of contents
  • Introduction
  • Business problem:
    • Describe the project scenario by explaining the business problem your project will solve.

  • Data:

    • Identify the dataset you will use for the analysis.
    • Provide a link to the dataset if you select a public dataset or submit a compressed dataset file with this business proposal if you select a private dataset.
    • Critique the appropriateness of the dataset for solving your project’s business problem by explaining how analysis might identify business patterns.

  • Data Preparation:

    • Explain why headings in the dataset are relevant to your problem.
    • Explain any data preparation performed on the dataset.
    • Audit the data to identify any data issues including relevant output and graphs.

  • Building model:

    • Provide a brief explanation of SAS Viya’s applicability to your problem and how the tool will be used.
    • Provide a brief description of the analysis technique you intend to use on the data, such as regression, clustering, classification and so on.
      • Exclude analysis techniques that indirectly operate on data such as genetic algorithms or linear programming.

  • Ethical and legal considerations:

    • Identify potential risks with using the dataset for a given context.
      • Consider ethical, legal, global or cultural factors in your response.

  • Conclusion

  • References
    • At least 3 academic references are required.
    • Other references, including web references, can be included. Any cited or sourced material must be properly referenced.

  • Appendix (any appended material needed is not included in the word count):

    • Include screenshots of SAS Viya to support your answers.

1. Data section: data preparation performed.
2. AnalyticsMethod section: model applicability.

Referencing

It is essential that you use appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research. Please see more information on referencing in the Academic Skills webpage.

Submission Instructions

Submit this assessment via the Assessment link in the main navigation menu BANASD603: Applied Optimisation in Business.

If you select a private dataset, your submission will consist of the following two documents:

1. The dataset compressed in .zip format using the following naming convention:

BANASD603_LastnameFirstname_Assessment2Dataset.zip

1. The business proposal as a Word .doc format using the following naming convention: BANASD603_LastnameFirstname_Assessment2BusinessProposal. doc

   Note: To include a second file in your submission, once your first item has been uploaded, click

   ‘Browse Your Computer’ to attach the extra documents. Then, click Final Submit button.

   Your Learning Facilitator will provide feedback via the Grade Centre in the LMS portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.

Academic Integrity

All students are responsible for ensuring that all work submitted is their own and is appropriately referenced and academically written according to the Academic Writing Guide. Students also need to have read and be aware of the Torrens University Australia Academic Integrity Policies, Procedures and Forms and the subsequent penalties for academic misconduct. These are viewable online.

Students also must keep a copy of all submitted material and any assessment drafts.

Special Consideration

To apply for special consideration for a modification to an assessment or exam due to unexpected or extenuating circumstances, please consult the Assessment Policy for Higher Education Coursework and ELICOS and, if applicable to your circumstance, submit a completed Application for Assessment Special Consideration Form to your Learning Facilitator.

Assessment Rubric