Actionable Recommendation Via Data Analysis

INTRODUCTION

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In this task, you will identify a real-world business situation and use real data to perform a data analysis leading to an actionable recommendation. You are encouraged to select an issue in your workplace or program specialty area (e.g., IT management, HC management, or MBA). Publicly available data is also an option (see Course Tips).
Note: Work performed for a client or an employer is their property and should not be used without written permission. Fictionalize identifiable organizational information (i.e., make up information regarding the identity of the organization, but do not make up the data). Obtain written permission to use any information that would be considered confidential, proprietary, or personal in nature. To obtain an organization’s permission to use proprietary information, complete and submit the attached “Organization Verification Form.” 

This business situation and data will be used to complete task 2. Do not work on task 2 until you have successfully passed task 1, indicating that the business situation and data analysis plan have been approved.

Use the “Determining the Appropriate Analytical Technique” presentation in the Attachment section below and/or speak with a course instructor to help you identify the appropriate analysis technique to analyze data for these tasks.

Approved data analysis techniques include the following:

Recommended Analysis Techniques:

•   regression (linear regression, multiple regression, or logistic regression)

•   time series or trend analysis

Note: you need to specify the specific type(s) of time-series analysis you plan to use or consider in Task 2 – i.e., regression, exponential smoothing, moving average, seasonality using multiple regression

•   chi-square

•   t-test (one sample, two independent samples, or paired)

•   ANOVA

•   crossover analysis

•   break-even analysis

Additional Approved Analysis Techniques:

•   statistical process control

•   linear programming

•   decision tree

•   simulation

SCENARIO

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REQUIREMENTS

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Your submission must be your original work. No more than a combined total of 30% of the submission and no more than a 10% match to any one individual source can be directly quoted or closely paraphrased from sources, even if cited correctly. The originality report that is provided when you submit your task can be used as a guide.

You must use the rubric to direct the creation of your submission because it provides detailed criteria that will be used to evaluate your work. Each requirement below may be evaluated by more than one rubric aspect. The rubric aspect titles may contain hyperlinks to relevant portions of the course.

Tasks may not be submitted as cloud links, such as links to Google Docs, Google Slides, OneDrive, etc., unless specified in the task requirements. All other submissions must be file types that are uploaded and submitted as attachments (e.g., .docx, .pdf, .ppt).
Use the attached “Task 1 Template” to complete the following prompts:

A.  Describe a real-world business situation that could be addressed by collecting and analyzing a set of data.

Note: The data can be from your workplace, from publicly available sources, or primary data that you collect on your own (e.g., a survey or behavioral observations).

1.  Complete the “Project Waiver or Release Statement” by putting a check mark in one of the checkboxes in the attached Task 1 Template.

a.  If you select the second option, “My project is based upon and/or includes Restricted Information”, You must complete the attached “Organization Verification Form”. You need to complete page 1 first and then submit the entire document to your chosen organization. The organization must complete page 2 and provide you with a completed form. You’ll submit the completed “Organization Verification Form” as a separate attachment with Task 1 template. See the attached “Electronic Signature Instruction” for instructions on how to electronically sign the attached “Organization Verification Form.” This form is not published and will remain confidential. The organization’s name should be used on this form but can be changed to a fictional name for the remaining tasks.

2.  Summarize one question or decision relevant to the real-world business situation that you will answer by collecting and analyzing a set of data.

3.  Explain why the situation or question would benefit from a data analysis.

4.  Identify all of the data that you will need to collect that is relevant to the situation or question.

Note: Identify the specific data relevant to part B1, such as time period, sample size, etc.

Note: A sample size of 30 is the suggested minimum size.

5.  Describe the data gathering method you will use to collect data.

Note: The data gathering method can include data sources (e.g., databases, surveys, behavioral observations, online sources, etc.)

6.  Identify an appropriate data analysis technique from the approved list above to analyze this data.

a.  Explain why the data analysis technique you chose is an appropriate technique to analyze the data collected.

Note: Use the “Determining the Appropriate Analytical Technique” presentation in the Attachment section below to help you determine the appropriate analysis technique for your data and business situation or speak with a course instructor.

B.  Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.

C.  Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission.