Data-Driven Transformation Course Descriptor

Course Overview

This course will provide a broad and in-depth understanding of modern data-driven business processes, digital transformations and strategy. It introduces students to business concepts, terminology and strategic frameworks for analysing the external and internal business environments and developing digital transformation strategies in the highly competitive data-driven economy. Through case studies and readings learners will use originality in solving problems and will develop the skills necessary to act autonomously in planning and implementing digital and technology strategies and transformations, including effective data visualisation. The course will examine how to monitor technology-related market trends and research and collect competitive intelligence. There is a particular focus on sustainability in terms of societal and environmental impact. Students will be able to present strategic arguments in a structured manner and apply this to the delivery of a compelling digital transformation strategy.

Course Aims

The aims of the course are to: 

• To understand strategic digital transformation principles and concepts
• To develop a critical understanding of business requirements and data requirements.
• To develop the skills to identify, plan and deliver digital transformation.
• To critically evaluate and analyse evidence-based business intelligence.
• To apply design principles and theories to develop effective data visualisation.
• To develop the knowledge and skills to create effective data-driven communication strategies and technology roadmaps to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

Teaching and Learning

This course has a dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) page with a syllabus and range of additional resources (e.g. readings, question prompts, tasks, assignment briefs, discussion boards) to orientate and engage you in your studies.

The scheduled teaching and learning activities for this course are:

Lectures/Labs. Contact hours are typically a mix of weekly lectures and lab sessions, totalling up to 50 scheduled hours:

• Version 1: All sessions in the same sized group, or
• Version 2: most of the sessions in larger groups; some of the sessions in smaller groups

Faculty hold regular ‘office hours’, which are opportunities for students to drop in or sign up to explore ideas, raise questions, or seek targeted guidance or feedback, individually or in small groups.

Students are to attend and participate in all the scheduled teaching and learning activities for this course and to manage their directed learning and independent study.

Indicative total learning hours for this course: 150

Assessment

Both formative and summative assessment are used as part of this course, with formative opportunities typically embedded within interactive teaching activities delivered via the VLE.

Summative

Further information about the assessments can be found in the Course Syllabus.

Feedback

Students will receive formative and summative feedback in a variety of ways, written (e.g. marked up on assignments or via the VLE) or oral (e.g. as part of interactive teaching sessions or in office hours).

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books

• Saloner, G. Shepard, A. and Podolny, J.M. (2001). Strategic Management. New York : Wiley
• Neugebauer, R. (2019). Digital Transformation. Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer
• Hedin, H., Hirvensalo, I. and Vaarnas, M. (2011). The Handbook of Market Intelligence : Understand, Compete and Grow in Global Markets. West Sussex, England : Wiley
• Knaflic, C.N., (2015). Storytelling with data: A data visualization guide for business professionals. John Wiley & Sons.
• Pham, Pham, D. K., & Pham, A. (2018). From Business Strategy to Information Technology Roadmap : A Practical Guide for Executives and Board Members (1st edition). Productivity Press.

Indicative Topics

Note: Comprehensive and current topics for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students. The indicative topics provided below are used as a general guide and part of the approval/modification process only.

• Digital Transformation
• Data Lifecycle and Business Requirements
• Business Process Analysis and Reengineering
• IT Strategy
• Technology Roadmaps
• Design Principles and Theories
• Data Visualisation
• Persuasive Communication with Data

Version History