Unit Spec (PDF)

Learners Instructions
PROGRAMME

OCR LEVEL 3 CAMBRIDGE TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA IN IT

UNIT/TITLE

Unit 39 - Understanding The Business Analytic Process For Big Data

LECTURER’S NAME Luke Fallis
ASSIGNMENT No

1-3

TITLE

DATE ISSUED

01/04/2017

“Business Analytics – Expanding The Market Space”
HAND-IN DATE

LEVEL

3

30/05/2017

LEARNER’S NAME
STUDENT NUMBER
     

THERE IS A STRICT DEADLINE FOR THE ​HAND-IN DATE​ OF ASSIGNMENTS
THE FINAL WORK PRESENTED BY THE LEARNER FOR ASSESSMENT
MUST BE THEIR OWN WORK
The tasks within the assessment suggest what form of presentation is appropriate.
You should avoid including background materials such as notes, handouts, extracts from information sources or reference materials.

The final work presented for assessment ​must be your own work
Learners Declaration
I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own
LEARNER’S​ ​SIGNATURE
DATE

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In order to pass this unit, the evidence that you present for assessment needs to demonstrate that you
can meet all for the learning outcomes for the unit. The criteria for pass grade describe the level of
achievement required to pass this unit.

Outcome

Pass

Merit

Distinction

The learner will
achive this
objective:

The assessment criteria
are the pass
requirements for this
unit. The learner can:

To achieve a merit
the evidence must
show that that, in
addition to the pass
criteria, the learner
is able to:

To achieve a
distinction the
evidence must show
that, in addition to
the pass and merit
criteria, the learner
is able to:

LO1:

P1:

M1:

Understand the
concept of Big
Data.

Explain terminology
relating to Big Data.

Describe
technological
challenges of Big
Data.

LO2:

P2:

M2:

D1:

Understand how
Big
Data is analysed
by the business
sector.

Identify how business
sectors can benefit from
Big Data analytics.

Explain how different
types of analytics
are applied across
different business
sectors.

Justify the use of
data analytics using
data sets containing
sensitive data.

LO3:

P3:

D2:

Identify benefits of
business analytics
within the business
environment.

Propose business
opportunities
through the analysis
of sourced
Big Data.

Understand the
impact of
business
analytics.

P4:

M3:

Explain risks within
business analytics.

Create outline plans
to help manage risk
within business
analytics.

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Scenario
You are an intern are a small business in your local town. Recently, you have been asked by your line
manager to explore the use of analytical software for business and review its application to
businesses. Areas to cover include the approach to enforcing analytical techniques to business;
Analysing and explaining the risks associated with analytical review; Reviewing and comparing the
benefits of analytical software.
Using your research skills, learners must compose a document explaining the terminology associated
with “Big Data”. Examples should be provided to demonstrate learners understanding of the
terminology and the role it plays within the industry. Learners should also describe the challenges that
present themselves when handling big data e.g. handling big data sets. ​(P1) (M1)​.
Secondly, you are required to compose a document encompassing the benefits of using big data, and
the businesses that are currently utilizing it. Big data usage should be reviewed based on the sector,
and the impact it has when implemented into that sector. Learners should then review the process of
using analytics to improve businesses and the relevance between the method and the sector.
Evidence shall aid in highlighting the array of different approaches based on the sector, and provide
correlative insight into the benefits relevant to each sector. For the last part of this component, you
need to justify the use of analytics containing sensitive data. Learners are required to discuss the
ethics of sensitive data, comment on the identification process and justify criteria for archiving. ​(P2)
(M2) (D2)​.
Thirdly, you must identify the benefits to business that analytics provide by reviewing their effects
across different sectors. Mind maps can be used a means of providing illustrative insight into the
crossing of sectoral benefits. Furthermore, you must analyse and explain the risks with analytical
software, and provide examples. Now that you have a clear understanding of the risks and benefits of
analytical software, you must produce a plan to enforce the use of analytical software for business.
Once the analytics have been implemented and data has been collected, you are to suggest
opportunities of exploration linked to this data. Evidence provided should reflect the individual ideas
based on the data and the sector that they are evaluating. ​(P3) (P4) (M3) (D2).

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Task 1​ ​(P1) (M1)

Scenario
As you are starting your internship this week you need to prepare for the challenges of a new
working environment. As this is a new area for you, getting familiar with the industry
terminology and tasks would be greatly beneficial. You have decided to create a research
document to help you learn that basics for your new. In this report, you will cover the based
terminology so that you know what people mean during team meetings; And describe all the
challenges with your new job role so that you can prepare as best you can. ​(P1) (M1)

Criteria Breakdown
For learners to achieve the criteria for ​Pass 1​ they must explain, with examples, the appropriate
terminology relating to ​‘Big Data’. ​Learners should also include examples of application within
business and provide clear, concise definitions of the relevant terminology. Learners should complete
this work in the form of a report. Please see below the list of content to include:

Terminology

Technological Challenges

Uses Of Big Data

Data Sets

Size Of Data Sets

Marketing

Capture (Historical, Live, etc.)

Speed Of Collection

Sales

Storage

Processing Requirements

Business Intelligence

Curing

Output Types

Product Development

Validation

Capture Types

(P1)

Verification

(M1)

Analysis
(P1)

For merit assessment criterion ​Merit 1​, learners must describe the range of technological challenges
of ​Big Data​.​ ​In the form of a report they must discuss examples of challenges, implications for data
sets and capture technology to support various data sets. The report should look at the challenges
data sets can pose when working with them, examples of this occurring shall aid in demonstrating
possible negative attributes.

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Task 2​ ​(P2) (M2) (D1)

Scenario
Now that you have completed your research, covering analytical terminology and challenges,
you are to turn your focus towards the applicable business sectors. As you are going to be
promoting the analytical software your business uses, it is vital that you understand how they
will benefit the sector you are selling it to. Your manager has requested that you make a
promotional leaflet that advertises the benefits provided to each business sector. ​(P2)
You decide to expand on your leaflet and add more content to help persuade businesses to
use the analytical software that you provide. You decide to add a section to each sector
explaining how each sector draws benefit from the use of analytical software based on its
unique attributes. This should aim to appeal to the unique sector characteristics to reinforce
the idea of necessity. ​(M2)
Now that you’ve completed your leaflet you realise that each sector acknowledges ethics
when they are collecting ​Big Data​. Based on your research findings from the leaflet, you
decide to construct a report in support of using analytical software within business. Justifying
the use of data that contains “Sensitive Data” and the areas to which they are captured, the
report should define the criteria and further explain capture purposes. ​(D1)
Criteria Breakdown
For P2, learners must document the benefits that both businesses and the wider audience
experience when Big Data and business analytics are used are applied. The benefits should
be identified for a number of sectors, each with a clear explanation of why it is considered a
beneficial criterion. The leaflet should be arranged to cover the sectors highlighted below, if
being partnered with Merit 2 (M2 as an extension to this) then the leaflet must be double
sided.
Business Sectors
Information Technology (IT)
Healthcare
Engineering / Manufacturing
Accounting
Educational
Environmental

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For merit assessment criterion ​Merit 2​, learners must explain the purpose of using analytics
within each sector. If completed as an extension to the ​Pass 2​ component, learners should
expand on how each sector can utilize analytical tools for improvement. Learners should
explain how business use different types of analytics for different purposes, based from their
sector of business. An example for a online clothing company has been demonstrated below
for theoretical purposes:

Applied Methods

Page Timer

Basket History

Account Profiler

Active Time Analyser

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Relevance To Sector

Benefits

Logs amount of time spent
on the site, or product page.

Identifying use browsing
time encourages better
design for browsing, aiming
to increase sales.

Logs items users removed
from their basket, can
question item credentials,
e.g. Pricing.

Basket history can aid the
revision of product
credentials, better serving
the consumer base and
improving business
relations.

Use user data to monitor
and analyse product
preferences and forecast
sales data.

Knowing your consumer
market improves quality of
interaction. Further analysis
leads to targets advertising
and enhances sales
strategies.

Monitor active user statistics
to identify “peak” operating
times, provide insight for
sales strategies.

Created by Luke Fallis

User time trends can identify
patterns of increased
activity. Popular times can
be prepared for in an
attempt to achieve higher
business targets using the
increase active users.

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For distinction criterion​ Distinction 1​ learners must justify the use of data analytics using
data sets containing ​“Sensitive Data”​. Learners should construct a report demonstrating
their clear understanding of the different styles and sources of sensitive data. This should be
supported by a clear description of what criteria has to be met in order for it to be classed as
“Sensitive”. Lastly, they shall review and justify why data sets should be captured and
recorded, partnered with an argument as to how they can be used ethically in compliance
with “Sensitive Data” regulations. Below is a list of criteria to be covered in the report:

Big Data Source

Measurement Styles

Analytical Types

Banking Records

Personal Details, Spending
Habits, Credit Rating,
Account History.

Government Records

Tax Claims, Pensions Plans,
Council Benefit System,
Census Data, Public
Meeting Ledger.

Descriptive​:
Data processing that
reviews historically archived
data to produce a summary
report in an attempt to yield
useful information. This is
used to prepare data for
further, more in-depth
analysis.

Environmental Reports

Weather Patterns, Wind
Speeds, Pollution Statistics,
Traffic Surveillance, Waste
Management.

Recorded Live Data

Manufacturing Schedule,
Sports Events, Social Media
Streaming, Televised Events
e.g Eurovision.

Predictive​:
The advanced form of
analytical techniques, used
to forecast unknown future
events. Combination of data
mining, statistics, modelling,
machine learning and AI to
analyse current data to
formulate predictions about
future events.
Prescriptive​:
The form of analytics that
aims to implement the best
route of action in defined
circumstance. It is a
combination of both
Predictive​ and ​Descriptive
analytical techniques.

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Task 3​: ​(P3) (P4) (M3) (D2)
Scenario
You have been told by your manager that the business is expanding and they need to
research into two new business sectors to add to their service list. You have been charged
with researching two areas, of your choosing, and producing a report detailing the benefits
you are able to provide with your service to their business environment. This report should
also include a mind map for each of the sectors being reviewed, detailing the thought process
and highlighting the links between the benefits and the means. ​(P3)
You have just received an email from your line manager regarding an update to the
company's risk disclosure guidelines and they need your help. You have been charged with
producing a leaflet depicting the risks associated with using business analytics, including
examples. The evidence provided, relating to the risks being explained, are to cover the full
range of criteria being identified and associated with negative impact. ​(P4)
Following the publication of your risk awareness leaflet, a third party business has contacted
you requesting a risk assessment plan. They were impressed with the way you discussed
prevention methods and have requested that you develop a plan managing their identified
risks. The plan should explain the handling process and acknowledge any reduction
techniques that may be relevant.​ (M3)
Due to the success of your recent projects, and work with the third party company on risk
management, you have been told by your manager that you have your first client. Your job is
to demonstrate to the client the opportunities available from the analysis of their data capture
method. You shall explore their data archive, and propose avenues of exploration to enhance
their business. This may involve the use of analytical software to a snippet of provided data
to demonstrate how the process works, and how it can be made relevant to their business.
(D2)

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Criteria Breakdown
For ​Pass 3​ learners must identify the benefits of business analytics within the business
environment. The benefits can be discussed in two ways, either within a singular organisation
or a general overview across a business sector. The report should document as many
benefits as possible, learners can present these with mind maps that illustrate cross sector
benefits. Learners should discuss the points listed below:

Use Of Analytics

Sector Usage

Business Impact

Business Intelligence

IBM Smarter Commerce

Production Planning

Forecasting

IBM Smarter Care

Supply Chain Operation

Linear, Integer, Constraint
Programming

Siting Of Wind Farms

Distribution Network Design

Cancer Research

Portfolio Optimization

Problem Solving
Resource Allocation
Identification Of Patterns
Scheduling and Sequencing
Timetabling, Routing and
Dispatching

For distinction criterion ​Distinction 2,​ learners must propose opportunities through the
analysis of ​Big Data ​sources. Learners shall explore exemplar data provided and deduce
courses of action to provide benefit to the business. Evidence of learners ideas should be
clearly demonstrated and partnered with explanations of how businesses can utilize
analytical tools for the better. Learners are encouraged to further their findings and suggest
improvements on current practise or pre-implemented methodologies. Below is a list of
criteria for discussion in the report:

Scope Of Content

Competitive Advantage

How much data is available? What insight does it provide?

Operational Efficiencies
Does it influence change?

How long has it been
archived /recorded?

What does it benefit /
contribute towards?

How does it translate to
“readable” data?

How much data is viable?

Is it reliable and accurate?

What operations does it
affect / influence?

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