NBS8489 : Business Analysis for Decision Making
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Lucy Hatt
- Lecturer: Dr Dean Pierides
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 5 |
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 5 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module develops the essential skills managers need to identify business problems, research and evaluate solutions, and present compelling, evidence-based recommendations. Building on MBA learning, you will work in self-directed teams to investigate a business issue using a global perspective, digital and data-driven analysis, and a clear focus on sustainability impacts. The module strengthens consulting, interpersonal and collaborative skills while emphasising rigorous, responsible and internationally informed decision making.
As part of this module you will present your recommendations to a Board in the "Board Room Challenge", demonstrating clarity, analytical depth and strategic relevance. These capabilities form the foundation for the subsequent Management Consultancy and Individual Project modules.
Outline Of Syllabus
• The role of the Board
• What is Business Analysis?
• The research and analysis process: getting from problem situations to solution recommendations
• Methods of investigation and analysis: qualitative and quantitative tools and techniques
• Ethics in the research and analysis process
• The Business Case: purpose, structure and content
• Making and presenting a compelling business case
• Applying these Research and Analysis skills in the Individual Project.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 3:00 | 27:00 | PiP |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 15:00 | 15:00 | Preparation of own inputs to groupwork |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 6 | 0:30 | 3:00 | Directed online study materials |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 2 | 0:30 | 1:00 | Progress review on Boardroom Challenge (per student group, staff time multiplied by no. of groups) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Boardroom Challenge (per student group, staff time multiplied by no. of groups) |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 1 | 15:00 | 15:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 18:00 | 18:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures establish the context of the module and provide relevant theory and research practice. Student-led group work and assessment preparation then move the students to become more self-directed learners, with progress review sessions with the teaching team for support. The Board-level report and presentation then form the final summative assessment, with feedback that is formative for later modules on Management Consultancy and Individual Project.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 3 | M | 40 | Oral Presentation - Group work. Presentation to ‘Board’- 30 minutes |
| Report | 3 | M | 50 | Group work. Business Case report. 6,000 words |
| Report | 3 | M | 10 | Group work. A concise Executive Summary of Business Case for submission to the ‘Board’, 1,000 words max. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 3 | M | Peer reviewed practice of presentation |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The Business Case demonstrates the robustness of the group’s analysis and recommendations. The Executive Summary tests their ability to communicate their case concisely and clearly in writing. The Presentation to Boardroom standard tests their ability to present and justify their case in a convincing and compelling manner.
Online assessment (if needed): If practicable the format of the groupwork presentation will be changed to another format deliverable remotely and asynchronously (e.g. poster, voiced-over powerpoint). If that is not practicable then assessment will be 100% essay.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NBS8489's Timetable