This second-year, first-semester information management module builds further on the student’s knowledge and skills from year one of the program, particularly problem definition, modelling and spreadsheet-based skills. A prerequisite for a career in logistics is the ability to manipulate data in order to define/diagnose a problem and consequently create a decision-support tool using either decision modelling methodologies.
The module continues to help the student visualise, represent and solve real-world problems to prepare them through an analytical framework focusing on spreadsheet design, engineering and visualisation. It is succeeded by an optimisation and simulation-based spreadsheet modelling module in the second semester.
The overall aim of the course is to ensure that students achieve the ability to model relatively complex operations management and logistics issues in a supply chain context with the aim of making valid recommendations that are relevant to real-world problems. Students will develop skills in building masterdata, creating and designing effective and efficient spreadsheet workbooks, and detailed performance dashboards.
Part 1 - Statistics and Data Analysis
1. Exploring the structure of business decisions from an input, model, output structure. 2. Understanding how to categorise and measure data.3. Exploring how to structure of datasets.
Part 2 - Spreadsheet Engineering
1. Decision modelling using spreadsheets. 2. Engineering effective and efficient spreadsheet workbooks. 3. Performance Dashboard building. 4. Data storytelling using infographics.
The module is taught in the computer laboratory environment and supplemented by a small number of formal lectures. The template for individual topics is for an overview of the area plus a reference to relevant theory to be introduced by the lecturer. The students then progress to a problem-based learning paradigm on which they are assessed. This is the ‘faded guidance’ model designed to reduce cognitive loading on the student.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |