Program Overview

Overview

This unit aims to develop the ability to effectively analyse and draw useful inferences from data in order to communicate complex interrelationships to senior management in a way that can lead to favourable and sustainable change. Topics covered include analysis of key macroeconomic variables and statistical concepts, demand modelling, performance measurement and benchmarking analysis, and quantifying the economics and financial risks.

Unit Details and Rules

• Academic unit: Management Education
• Credit points: 6
• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Prohibitions: SMBA6003
• Assumed knowledge: None
• Available to study abroad and exchange students: No

Teaching Staff

• Coordinator: John-Paul Monck
• Lecturer(s): John-Paul Monck

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 24 April 2025

• Type: Assignment
  • Description: Individual assignment Report
  • Weight: 40%
  • Due: Week 05, Due date: 11 May 2025 at 23:59, Closing date: 17 May 2025
  • Length: 6 pages
  • Outcomes assessed: LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
• Type: Assignment
  • Description: Group assignment Presentation
  • Weight: 40%
  • Due: Week 06, Due date: 15 May 2025 at 09:00, Closing date: 15 May 2025
  • Length: 3 slides per member
  • Outcomes assessed: LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
• Type: Supervised exam
  • Description: Final exam Two part-long form
  • Weight: 20%
  • Due: Week 07, Due date: 22 May 2025 at 10:00, Closing date: 22 May 2025
  • Length: 2 hours
  • Outcomes assessed: LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Summary

• Individual assignment including sustainability component: Students will write a professional report explaining how data analysis can be used to address a long-term issue of sustainable development within the Australian economy or another economy of your choice.
• Group assignment: In groups of 5-6, students will prepare a powerpoint presentation discussing the key demand side risks associated with the venture with a focus on the macroeconomic performance of the target country.
• Final exam: The final exam will cover all the topics of the unit.

Assessment Criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

• Result name: High distinction
  • Mark range: 85 - 100
  • Description: Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
• Result name: Distinction
  • Mark range: 75 - 84
  • Description: Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
• Result name: Credit
  • Mark range: 65 - 74
  • Description: Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
• Result name: Pass
  • Mark range: 50 - 64
  • Description: Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
• Result name: Fail
  • Mark range: 0 - 49
  • Description: When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

Learning Support

• Simple extensions: If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.
• Special consideration: If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Weekly Schedule

• Week 01: Basic Data Analytics Skills, Economic Overview
• Week 02: Economic Linkages, Modelling - Introduction
• Week 03: Modelling - Working with Complex Data
• Week 04: Modelling - Exercise, Economic Levers
• Week 05: Data Mining for Business, Risk Management
• Week 06: Business Performance Measurement and Management

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

• LO1: demonstrate and identify; 1. The data a business needs to solve complex problems; 2. The key drivers of the demand for a business' product; 3. Whether profitability increases in response to an increase in price or output, and how this relates to the price elasticity of demand; 4. The key interrelationships between external and internal variables that are pivotal to understanding the business' risk, and the management of those risks
• LO2: quantify the impact of critical drivers that are external to the company, such as GDP, exchange rates, commodity prices, and inflation, on revenue and cost streams, and use this information for risk management purposes by utilising key statistical tools such as descriptive statistics, regression, and simulation analysis
• LO3: communicate complex ideas more effectively to senior management, determine the communication styles that senior management prefer, draw more effective graphical relationships between variables, construct a more effective PowerPoint presentation, deliver a presentation that is more likely to be preferred by senior management, and construct the most effective sequence of material in a presentation to generate the maximum amount of positive impression from senior management
• LO4: collaborate more effectively with colleagues and peers to solve complex data-related problems.

Graduate Qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course.

• GQ1: Depth of disciplinary expertise
• GQ2: Critical thinking and problem solving
• GQ3: Oral and written communication
• GQ4: Information and digital literacy
• GQ5: Inventiveness
• GQ6: Cultural competence
• GQ7: Interdisciplinary effectiveness
• GQ8: Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity
• GQ9: Influence

Additional Information

• Business School Policies
• Disclaimer: The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.
• This unit of study outline was last modified on 25 Mar 2025.