Business Analytics

Description

This course will show you how to analyze a surprisingly wide array of business planning and decision problems using spreadsheet models. In the modeling approach, we seek to describe the essential structure of a decision problem in terms of objectives, decision variables, uncertainties, outcomes, choice criteria, and feasibility. Powerful and easy to use spreadsheet tools have been developed to assist in this process.

Those covered here include: (1) Optimization tools (e.g. Solver add-in): for extracting maximum value from resources and activities; exploring complex combinations of possibilities to achieve desired goals; (2) Decision Analysis tools (e.g. TreePlan add-in): for designing strategic plans in the presence of uncertainties; valuing risk reduction opportunities; (3) Simulation tools (e.g. Crystal Ball add-in): for valuing and managing complex portfolios of risks and real options.

Modeling will be approached as a conceptual and analytical activity to help managers deepen their understanding of the issues they face, identify intelligence gaps, overcome limitations in judgment, and gain insights in the trade-offs inherent among competing solutions to a problem. The material is approached from a managerial rather than technical perspective, that is, with a focus on how to apply decision technology, and how to interpret the results for guiding management action.

Grading:

Group Cases/Mini-project (two, 20% each). Final project presentation (10%). Final project / exam (50%).

Textbook

A recommended reference book is “The Art of Modeling with Spreadsheets 2nd ed. Excel 2007 update by Powell and Baker, John Wiley 2009.