INSC 70970: Data Analytics Simulation

INSC 70970: Data Analytics Simulation January 2017 Intersession David Preston, PhD

Overview This course in Data Analytics course utilizes Analytics simulations to explore concepts of process and strategic decision-making. This course takes an analytical approach to allow MBA students to increase their intuition and understanding of core operational, performance, and decision-making concepts. The focus of this course is to: a) expose students to the core concepts in data and process analysis in a dynamic and experiential manner; b) increase student intuition regarding the interplay between the various elements of data analytics via toolkit-style exercises; c) give students the tools by which to understand data analysis via experimentation and proactive creation.

This course should appeal to students specializing in all disciplines including: supply chain management, finance and accounting, marketing, and general management. Data analytics provides a series of analytical tools that are essential to the modern project manager, analyst, and management consultant. This course is open to MBA students at any stage within their curriculum. There are no prerequisites for this course and no prior knowledge of process management is expected. No technical foundation is needed for this course.

Unique Value of Course  Hands-on experience with data analytics via simulation exercises  Actionable insight into how Analytics is used to assess operational and firm performance  Students hone their skills as “analytical thinkers”  Analytics is widely recognized as a core skill set in industry

Materials For this course please bring your laptop to all classes. The following materials are required for this course which I have set-up and will need to be purchased from Harvard Business School (HBS) publishing. https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/pages/home The course is titled "Data Analytics Simulation Jan2017" and the link for this course is http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/access/56823030

Please follow the HBS publishing instructions to get the materials. If you have previously loaded their software, you may need to delete it and reload it in order to get the cases to unlock. The total cost for the materials should be approximately $42.75.

Please note that the Simulation does not download to your laptop – it will be accessed via internet access on your laptop. If you have laptop connection issues, that is ok – we will be teaming up for the simulation exercises. The course project will be finalized out of class – so a student with internet connection issues on the TCU campus will not be hindered. Please follow the HBS publishing instructions to get the materials. If you have previously loaded their software, you may need to delete it and reload it in order to get the cases to unlock.

Course Schedule / Preparation

There is no preparation needed with regard to the readings or simulations prior to the first class (except to have your materials from the course pack). For this course please bring your laptop to all classes. Students will be introduced to the core concepts of data/process analytics and we will work on numerous exercises together in class. After completing these exercises, students will have a strong foundation for

1 understanding the application of data/process analytics. This will appropriately prepare each student for the course project. Projects will be based on an extension of the simulation materials, readings, and additional class exercises. Course projects will be conducted individually. Additional details regarding the course project will be provided in class.

Saturday (Jan 7) 9:30am-6:00 pm - Analytics Concepts and Exercises

Sunday (Jan 8) 9:30am-6:00 pm - Analytics Concepts and Exercises - Project Development

Tuesday (Jan 10) 6:00-10:00 pm - Project Presentations (for students choosing Option A)

Saturday (Jan 14) – midnight - Due date for project write-ups (for students choosing Option B)