Assignment 1 WRITTEN: A Feasibility Study which models ‘as is’ and ‘to be’ business functions and justifies the best solution given required criteria.

Learning Outcomes 1&2

A structured analysis and reflective report containing:

Analysis documentation

Design models and associated documentation

Assessing the following Core KSBs

Knowledge

K13 Principles of data analysis for digital and technology solutions.

Skills

S3 Analyse a business problem to specify an appropriate digital and technology solution.

Assessing the following Business Analyst KSBs

Knowledge

K38 Approaches to Requirements Life Cycle Management including how to manage and maintain requirements and design information from inception to retirement of a product.

K43 A range of Business Analysis investigative techniques.

Skills

S32 Use requirements elicitation, analysis and documentation to produce an acceptable solution for business problems or further opportunities.


Assignment 2 PRACTICAL: A creation and demonstration of a working database artefact which corresponds to a design report containing query statements and their output with discussion relating to the level and use of the information retrieved.

Learning Outcomes, 3 and 4

Assessing the following Core KSBs

Skills

S10 Initiate, design, implement and debug a data product for a digital and technology solution.

Data Systems development lifecycle

Data gathering techniques mapped to benefits realization management

Business Analysis tools including SWOT, PESTLE and GAP analysis.

Analysis techniques such as DFD and Use Case to model system ‘as is’ and ‘to be’.

Data quality, value and classification for analysis

- Legislation around data collection and storage

- Data security (CIA)

Databases

Introduction to the concept and use of Database Management systems (DBMS), Database Administration and Database security and recovery

Types of data (structured, unstructured etc)

Legislation and standards around data management and use e.g. GDPR

Data structures and data types

Relational database design and SQL

Entity Life Histories

Entity Relationship Modelling

Introduction to concepts of Big Data

NOSQL databases

OLTP vs OLAP

This module will support the development and assessment of the following Core Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours from the DTSP Apprenticeship Standard:

Knowledge

K5 A range of digital technology solution development techniques and tools.

K12 The role of data management systems within Digital and Technology Solutions.

K13 Principles of data analysis for digital and technology solutions.

K17 Reporting techniques, including how to synthesise information and present concisely, as appropriate to the target audience.

K19 Relevant legal, ethical, social and professional standards to a digital and technology solution. For example, Diversity, Accessibility, Intellectual Property, Data Protection Acts, Codes of Practice, Regulatory and Compliance frameworks.

Skills

S3 Analyse a business problem to specify an appropriate digital and technology solution.

S5 Apply relevant standard processes, methods, techniques and tools. For example, ISO Standards, Waterfall, Agile in a digital and technology solution project.

S10 Initiate, design, implement and debug a data product for a digital and technology solution.

Behaviours

B3 Acts with integrity with respect to ethical, legal and regulatory requirements ensuring the protection of personal data, safety and security.



This module will support the development and assessment of the following Specialist Route Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours from the DTSP Apprenticeship Standard:



Business Analyst

Knowledge

K38 Approaches to Requirements Life Cycle Management including how to manage and maintain requirements and design information from inception to retirement of a product

K39 Principles of Strategy Analysis, including how to¿identify the business need, address that need, and align the change strategy within the organisation.

K43 A range of Business Analysis investigative techniques.

Skills

S32 Use requirements elicitation, analysis and documentation to produce an acceptable solution for business problems or further opportunities.

S34 Produce Use Cases which are of value to all stakeholders of a system.

1.Apply a range of technical tools and methods to analyse business and/or data requirements in order to improve business and/or data functions

Knowledge & understanding
Analysis
Application
Communication

2.Produce a feasibility study which identifies and models ‘as is’ and ‘to be’ functionality for business/data improvement with solutions identification (such as cost, functionality, availability and maintainability).

Knowledge & understanding
Analysis
Application
Communication

3.Deploy technical skills and knowledge to create a working relational database

Knowledge & understanding
Analysis
Application
Learning

4.Demonstrate the technical ability to manage data, retrieve information and present it in an appropriate way.

Application, Problem Solving, Communication.

The module will be delivered in a Blended Learning Mode consisting of face to face, online and guided learning sessions.



Teaching sessions will blend theory and practical learning and most importantly where possible contextualised in your workplace as part of your apprenticeship. Learners will be introduced to curriculum concepts and ideas and will then be able to apply theory to practical examples. In addition, students will be provided with a range of resources for independent study such as case studies, academic papers and industry case studies. There will be a mixture of practical and theoretical formative (mock or practice) exercises which will help students build knowledge and confidence in preparation for summative (formal) assessment.



The delivery will be delivered as follows:



Module Launch week: 12 hours

There will be a module launch session consisting of up to 12 hours face to face contact time devoted to developing your understanding of the core purpose and assessment of the module. Learners will be presented with details of how the learning will be structure and how to access to the learning materials for the remainder of the module



Structured Learning Sessions: 15 hours

Following the module launch week you will have a further 15 hours of contact time as a class with the module team. This will typically be as 10 x 1.5 hour online classes which will be a combination of activities including lectures, demonstrations, discussions, tutorials and seminars. Some sessions are likely to be in flipped classroom style, where you will be expected to watch online recordings, read materials or respond to practical activities in preparation for active engagement with problem solving in the online session.



1:1 Progress Checks: 1 hour

As a Blended Learner understanding your progress can be a challenge so you are allocated an hour of 1:1 time with your tutor (typically 3 x 20 minute). Some of these may be in small groups if appropriate. These sessions may be used to discuss key topics, troubleshoot salutations, review working drafts etc



Guided Independent Learning: 172 hours

The module leader will provide resources through the virtual learning environment which will include videos and presentations as well as links to useful websites and other resources. Additional academic learning will be achieved through reading around the subject area, module tutors will suggest useful texts, though many others will be suitable and can be found in our e-library. You should also draw on the expertise in your workplace via your workplace mentor and other colleagues. If you require help understanding any of the concepts, you should contact your module tutor for assistance.

As an apprentice you are constantly developing your Digital Skills as part of your substantial role, and this applies to the development of the knowledge for your modules too. In some cases, there will be a significant cross over between the module content and in others less so, depending on the nature of your workplace duties, this will have direct impact on to the number of Independent Learning required.



Within the Independent learning time you will be expected to complete your assignments, as a guide a typical module assignment should take around 60 hours to complete

Access to PHPmyadmin (or similar professional) environment

Use of a case tool such as QSee Superlite

All texts and electronic resources will be updated and refreshed on an annual basis and available for students via the online Study Links resource platform. All reference materials will be collated and curated and aligned to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion indicators.

Paul, D. (2020), Business analysis, 3rd edn, BCS, Swindon. ISBN: 1780175108; 978-1780175102.

Cadle, J., Paul, D., and Turner, P. (2014) Business Analysis Techniques: 99 Essential Tools for Success. 2nd Edition. BCS, Swindon. ISBN 1906124236

Connolly, T.M. & Begg, C.E. 2015, Database systems: a practical approach to design, implementation, and management, 6th edn, Addison-Wesley, Boston. ISBN: 0132943263, 9780132943260

Coronel, C. & Morris, S. 2017, Database systems: design, implementation, and management, 12th edn, Cengage Learning, Australia. ISBN: 9781305627482, 1305627482

Churcher, C. 2016, Beginning SQL queries: from novice to professional, 2nd edn, Apress, New York. ISBN: 1484219546, 9781484219546

The discipline of Business Analysis is associated with Requirements Analysis but focuses on helping organisations to achieve their strategic goals by understanding their strengths, weaknesses and capabilities, and using them to improve their policies, processes, and information systems. Business analysis helps organisations to understand and describe their functions and activities with a view to improving them to reduce overall costs, use resources more efficiently and provide better support to customers. This module introduces the notion of process orientation and gives experience of modelling business processes as activities that create value for customers. It gives you the potential to work as business analysts and to improve business processes in an organisation in the public or private sectors. Following investigation work carried out, students will analyse a business function/s using techniques such as SWOT, PESTLE, GAP analysis, DFD, Use Case, etc., to identify and suggest possible improvement in the form of a Feasibility Study.

Alongside the Business Analysis work you will study of data and databases to model data solutions using conceptual data modelling techniques and to implement a database solution using an industry standard database management system (DBMS). You will learn how to perform key database administration tasks.