Business strategy analysis including

Strategy formation (business strategy, SWOT, PESTLE, Forcefield analysis)

Strategy implementation (employee skills, knowledge and capacity, monitoring, productivity).

Defining vision and goals for change

Stakeholder analysis

Approaches to change control

Change management models and structures.

Leadership and Management styles

Business Case Development

Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Quality Management including standards and metrics.

Quality vs Value

Value management

Role of the Business analyst in change management/ project management



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

Knowledge

K1 How organisations adapt and exploit digital technology solutions to gain a competitive advantage.

K2 The principles of strategic decision making concerning the acquisition or development of digital and technology solutions. For example, business architecture approaches such as capability models and target operating models.

K3 Principles of estimating the risks and opportunities of digital and technology solutions.

K4 Techniques and approaches involved in creating a business case for new digital and technology solutions. For example, journey, product and capability mapping and value chains.

K8 How teams work effectively to produce digital and technology solutions.

K14 A range of quantitative and qualitative data gathering methods and how to appraise and select the appropriate method.

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.



Skill

S1 Analyse a business problem to identify the role of digital and technology solutions.

S2 Identify risks, determine mitigation strategies and opportunities for improvement in a digital and technology solutions project.

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.

S7 Work effectively within teams, leading on appropriate digital technology solution activities.

S8 Apply relevant organisational theories. For example, change management principles, marketing approaches, strategic practice, and IT service management to a digital and technology solutions project.

S13 Report effectively to colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language and style, to meet the needs of the audience concerned.

S14 Research, investigate, and evaluate innovative technologies or approaches in the development of a digital and technology solution.

S15 Apply relevant legal, ethical, social and professional standards to 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.

B5 Interacts professionally with people from technical and non-technical backgrounds. Presents data and conclusions in an evidently truthful, concise and appropriate manner.





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

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

K40: Solution Evaluation, including how to assess the performance of and value delivered by a solution and to recommend improvements on increasing values.

K42: The purpose and value of quality assurance techniques

K44: Approaches to change control and requirements management

Skills

S36: Produce a business case to scope a proposed project including business benefits and recommendations.

S38: Evaluate the impacts of model selection and how they inter-relate with each other when generating business analytics.

Coursework 100% - comprising 3 elements:

Part 1 – 30% (learning outcomes 1 and 2)
A strategic analysis of an organisation using appropriate tools and techniques which highlights potential areas for improvement which are prioritised according to business objectives. Must be supported by research.



Part 2 – 40% Implementation plan (learning outcomes 1 and 2)

A change management implementation plan integrating learning from assessment 1 which demonstrates how many facets come together to ensure a successful change.



Part 3 – 30% (learning outcome 3 and 4)
A reflective report which evaluates the quality and value of the improvement, the management of the change and provides recommendations for further improvement. Must be supported by research.



Assessing the following specialism KSBs:

Business Analyst

Knowledge

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

K40: Solution Evaluation, including how to assess the performance of and value delivered by a solution and to recommend improvements on increasing values.

K42: The purpose and value of quality assurance techniques

K44: Approaches to change control and requirements management

Skills

S36: Produce a business case to scope a proposed project including business benefits and recommendations.

S38: Evaluate the impacts of model selection and how they inter-relate with each other when generating business analytics.

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 over two teaching blocks each block will be as follows 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: 178 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 120 hours to complete.

Demonstrate knowledge and systematic understanding of the implications of business change and approaches to change control and requirements management

Demonstrate knowledge and systematic understanding of principles of strategy analysis and how to align change strategy with business strategy.

Critically evaluate, select and use project management tools and techniques in delivering and measuring quality and value

Critically reflect on the value of an improvement, the management of the associated change and the impact of choices made on the outcomes, and provide recommendations for further improvement

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.



Optional Texts:

Cadle, J. et al. (2021) Business Analysis Techniques: 123 essential tools for success. Swindon: BCS Learning & Development Limited.



Charles, et al. (2014) Strategic Management: Theory: An Integrated Approach, United States: Cengage Learning.



David Beckham et al. (2021) Business Analysis Techniques, 3rd Edition. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.



Hayes (2014), The Theory and Practice of Change Management



Howard Podeswa (2021) The Agile Guide to Business Analysis and Planning: From Strategic Plan to Continuous Value Delivery. Addison-Wesley Professional.



Smith et al, (2014), The Effective Change Manager's Handbook



Voehl and Harrington (2017), Change Management: Manage the Change or It Will Manage You

The Internet¿and office software

Access to VLE (Blackboard)¿
Business process modelling (CASE) tool such as QSEE, Vision, etc

This module focuses on tools and techniques to help organisations to achieve their strategic goals by understanding their strengths, weaknesses and capabilities and using them to improve their policies, processes, and information systems. From this strategic analysis, it presents a change management plan to support system/ company change considering measures in terms of quality and value. Stakeholder requirements will be explored as a way of providing competitive advantage. As a result of these two outputs a critical reflection of the Change Management/ Project Management tools and technique will consider their implication in recognising, shaping, planning, and implementing change. Focus will also be given to the student’s skills and experience associated with the participant within this module.