Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- use planning, analysis and decision-making tools and techniques in strategic planning
- analyze financial statements and business reports and use them as a basis for decisions
- make business decisions in various business contexts
- apply data in decision making

Teaching methods

The study unit is conducted online and does not require attendance on campus. The study unit is completed independently following a schedule for work-based learning project documentation or demonstration of competence by a given deadlines.

In addition to independent studying, the study unit includes scheduled guidance sessions and Project Assessment Discussions remotely on Zoom. Attendance in first guidance session (3rd March) is mandatory and session will be partly recorded. Project Assessment Discussions take place on 3-4th June.

The study unit is supported by the Canvas learning environment (opens 3rd March at latest) and study unit Teams channel for group and personal communication. The study unit does not include working in pairs or groups (excluding Business Simulation Game if chosen).

Please notice that there are several ways to complete the study unit:
1) Demonstration of competence (Näyttö)
2) Work-based learning project in your own workplace or in your own company etc., which covers all the learning objectives
3) If your project does not cover all the learning objectives, you can write theory reports or utilize other online courses etc. to complete learning objectives that are not covered by your project
4) If your current work does not enable you to obtain required competencies by conducting a project, it is also possible to utilize Business Simulation Game to achieve the learning objectives (to be discussed).

All possibilities will be discussed and introduced in first guidance session. Also use of artificial intelligence will be discussed.

The learning objectives of the study unit are:

Having completed the study unit the student is able to
- use planning, analysis and decision-making tools and techniques in strategic planning
- analyze financial statements and business reports and use them as a basis for decisions
- make business decisions in various business contexts
- apply data in decision making

Study unit contents:
- Strategic planning
- Management decision making
- Information systems and decision making
- Group decision making

Location and time

Please refer to the Timetable Engine at https://lukkarit.laurea.fi/ for the schedule information. Laurea reserves the right to modify the timetable.

Learning materials and recommended literature

The materials are available online in Canvas platform:

Jeyarathnam, M. 2008: Strategic Management. Global Media.
Van Looy, B., Gemmel, P. & Van Dierdonck, R. 2013: Service Management: An integrated approach. Essex: Pearson Education Limited.
Epstein L. 2012: The Business Owner's Guide to Reading and Understanding Financial Statements: How to Budget, Forecast, and Monitor Cash Flow for Better Decision Making. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
Vance, David E. 2012: Financial analysis & decision making: tools and techniques to solve financial problems and make effective business decisions. McGraw-Hill.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

According to the degree regulations (2024), "Students are entitled to apply for recognition of prior learning regardless of where, when and how the competence has been acquired. ... At Laurea, there are two different procedures for the recognition and accreditation of prior learning: a) accreditation of prior learning (competence acquired in higher education studies at another institution) and b) demonstration of competence (competence acquired in other ways). The recognition and accreditation of prior learning is initiated by the student themselves. The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence. The student is entitled to guidance for the recognition and accreditation of their competence." Further information in the student intranet.

Co-operation with working life and/or RDI

The work-based learning project is preferably completed in student´s own workplace and organisation. (other options described above)

Important dates

Demonstration of competence schedule can later be found in Laurea student intra.

Guidance session dates can be found in the schedule section.

Deadline for project documentation is 26th May and Project Assessment Discussions will take place on 3-4th June.

According to the degree regulations (section 18) “students must be present in the first contact session or notify their teacher in charge if they cannot attend. If they fail to notify the teacher of their absence in the first contact session, their enrollment will be rejected. Another student in the queue may be enrolled in the study unit in the place of the absent student.

Students workload

Workload of the study is measured in a way that to acquire the goal competence of the study, one credit corresponds to an average of 26.7 hours of work done by the student. The actual time needed varies e.g. according to prior competence.

Content and scheduling

Having completed the study unit the student is able to
- use planning, analysis and decision-making tools and techniques in strategic planning
- analyze financial statements and business reports and use them as a basis for decisions
- make business decisions in various business contexts
- apply data in decision making

Study unit contents:
- Strategic planning
- Management decision making
- Information systems and decision making
- Group decision making

Further information for students

The study unit is arranged only for the group HLF224KAM

The language used in the guidance session can be either Finnish or English.

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Bachelor's level education.

The prerequisite for participation is always that the possible competence prerequisites according to the curriculum (previous study or similar competence) are fulfilled. The student is responsible for taking into account the prerequisite conditions.

The quality of the study unit implementation has been assessed and the self-evaluation report is available for example in Canvas or Teams.

Grading scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

"Competence assessment is based on the descriptions of objectives in the curricula, and the level of competence is assessed according to the assessment criteria listed in the implementation plan for the studies" (Laurea degree regulations 2024).

In this study unit the assessing of the competences will be done by using the criteria set for requirement level II.

Professional knowledge basis, information searching and reporting

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- analyse the acquired information, draw conclusions and combine theoretical knowledge with experiential knowledge

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- critically evaluate information and justify their actions with science-based knowledge

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- use professional concepts in a consistent manner and demonstrate their familiarity with the knowledge basis
- report and communicate in a professional manner

Professional practice and workplace development

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- evaluate the applicability of produced knowledge, skill or idea to other contexts as well as their impact
- anticipate needs of customers and/or co-operation partners

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- propose creative solutions at work
- promote professional co-operation and enhance customer and partner relationships

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- act independently taking into account the operating environment
- take responsibility for interaction with customers and/or co-operation partners and for responding to their needs

Teamwork, skills, leadership, and responsibility

To achieve grade 5 student must be able to
- evaluate and develop the team’s entrepreneurial and responsible approach to work
- evaluate the possibilities for utilising competence and plan their personal development and development of the team

To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- act in a manner that promotes the team’s entrepreneurial and responsible approach to work
- describe the development of their competence in relation to the learning outcomes

To achieve grade 1 (or pass) student must be able to
- describe the significance of their actions for successful co-operation
- describe their competence in relation to the learning outcomes

“Students who have failed to demonstrate their competence in accordance with the approved level must supplement or retake their study attainment in a manner and schedule defined by the teacher of the study unit. If the student does not pass the assessment despite the opportunity to complete their study attainment, they must complete the study unit in question in full as specified by the teacher.” (Degree regulations 2024.)


All staff and students of Laurea are expected to adhere to good scientific practices, which includes appropriate referencing. Familiarise yourself with the practices and, if needed, ask for more information. All study assignments are to be done as individual work unless otherwise instructed. If Tournitin is used when assignments are checked, the lecturer will inform the students of this.