Faculty of Business, Government and Law
Business Intelligence Systems 7156
Assignment 2: Project Proposal
Due Week 5, Friday 20th March 2015 by 11pm
Value 10%, 1000 Words
The purpose of this assignment is for each student individually to develop a proposal
for a computer-based DSS/BI prototype to be built in assignment 2 using software of choice.
Project Proposal
This task will require you to identify a discipline / industry / organisation (referred to as the research field) and to investigate an aspect of their decision-making needs as well as the opportunities for computer-based decision support systems development. Generic examples of research fields you may wish to consider could be the health sciences and patient monitoring, or the agricultural sector and the need to predict certain farming operations, or the university as it supports the decisions of international students, or a company as it budgets finances. The texts by Sharda et al (2014), and Web sites dssresources.com http://businessintelligence.ittoolbox.com/ and Australian Information Industry Association http://www.aiia.com.au/ and others provide examples of software tools and research fields where computer-based decision support are being developed. Wikipedia and Google are also good starting points. If you are unable to make a selection, the teaching staff can assist.
This first assignment broadly aligns with the intelligence and design phases of Simon’s (1977)[1] decision-making model. The outcome of this assignment will be a business report containing your proposal. For the next stage of the assignment, you will need to develop your proposal into a project prototype which is also an individual assignment. This second phase broadly corresponds with the choice and implementation decision-making phases (Simon 1977). The assessment overall is designed to enable students to develop analytical and inquiry skills, writing, oral and interpersonal communication skills, organisational abilities, a sense of professionalism, as well as acquiring an understanding of the topic.
Guidance on Report Writing
Guidance on report writing is available from the University of Canberra Web site http://www.canberra.edu.au/studyskills . As well, forthcoming classes will discuss the assignment and report writing requirements.
It is not acceptable to simply copy and paste from Web sources. Exact copying is a last resort and should be done only to emphasise a point that is best explained in the words of the original author. Exact copying should be in italics or between apostrophes (depending on the reference style) and must always be referenced with author, year and page number. It would be expected that exact copying is no more than 5% of the report. Even when paraphrasing, by re-writing the ideas of other authors in your own words, you will need to reference. The use of the Harvard author-date referencing style is mandatory for this assessment.
Furthermore, The University of Canberra has available, through LearnOnline (Moodle), text-matching software that helps students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understandings of academic integrity. Known as URKUND, the software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.
Criteria for Proposal Report: 1000 words
|
Section |
Words |
|
Executive Summary: Brief overview of the proposal, the purpose of the project, and recommended course of action.
Introduction: Outline of project proposal.
Section 1 Identification: A description of the discipline / industry / organisation and existing information systems (manual and computer-based).
Section 2 Analysis and Design: A statement of the problem; level of managerial control; decision structure (structured, semi-structured or unstructured problem); DSS/BI architecture (users of the existing and proposed system, models, data); and software options proposed for the DSS/BI prototype solution (not too technical). See lecture 1.
Section 3 Feasibility: Evaluate and justify the benefits and limitations of a DSS/BI using SWOT or an alternative evaluation technique. This exercise will help you identify the solution and its potential for adoption.
Conclusion: Concluding remarks including a plan for the development of the DSS prototype at a later date. |
100
100
200
300
200
100 |
|
Total |
1000 |
Marking Rubric for Project Proposal: worth 10%
|
|
Awesome |
Amazing |
Admirable |
Attempted |
Unacceptable |
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|
Grade Mark |
HD 9-10 |
DI 8 |
CR 7 |
P 5-6 |
Fail <5 |
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|
Proposal Content |
All topics are pertinent and covered in depth. Ability to think critically and to synthesise source material is demonstrated |
Topics are relevant and soundly analysed |
Generally relevant and well analysed |
Some relevance and analysis presented |
Little or no understanding of the topic. Missing content. Lacks conviction. Descriptive rather than critical thinking demonstrated |
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|
Evaluation of Proposed DSS/BI through SWOT or other method |
Logic is clear and easy to follow with strong arguments |
Consistently logical and convincing |
Mostly consistently logical and convincing |
Adequate cohesion and conviction |
Argument is confused and disjointed |
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|
Proposed Project Plan |
Well thought-out plan, do-able within timeframe |
Completion within timeframe most likely |
Completion possible |
Some chance of succeeding |
Totally unrealistic plan and timeframe |
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|
Proposal Structure (Executive Summary, Introduction Body and Conclusion) |
All elements are present and very well integrated. The proposal is the exact length |
Components present with good cohesive |
Components present and mostly well integrated |
Most components present |
Proposal lacks structure. Essay is much too long or too short |
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|
Research and Referencing |
Excellent use of creditable sources. Accurate referencing. Obvious that outstanding effort made |
Extremely good effort |
Good effort made but not outstanding |
Made some effort. For example, Web searches only |
Very little attempt to reference. Lazy effort with inaccuracies |
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|
Writing Style |
Totally clear with excellent English expression and spelling |
Clear writing style |
Generally clear writing style |
Sometimes clear writing style |
Lacks clarity with many grammatical and spelling errors |
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Student Name:
Student Id:
Date Submitted: ………………/………………/ 2015 |
Mark Achieved: |
Grade Achieved: |
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Submission Instructions:
- The assignment should be organised using the following guidelines:
- The assignment must use 12 point font size minimum and at least single line spacing with appropriate section headings.
- Reference sources must be cited in the text of the report, and listed appropriately at the end in a reference list.
- Up to 5 marks will be lost for poor writing, inadequate structure, careless presentation, and if the report exceeds the word limit by more or less than 10%.
- The assignment must be submitted in soft (electronic) copy under Moodle.
Extensions: Requests for an extension, accompanied by supporting documentation, must be received by the convenor in writing before the due date else penalties may apply for late submission without an approved extension.
Penalties: Academic misconduct such as cheating and plagiarism may incur penalties ranging from a reduced result to program exclusion.
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