Data-driven Decision Making (5op)

Tavoitteet

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

Toteutustapa

The study unit is conducted online and does not require attendance on campus.

The study unit includes scheduled teaching and guidance sessions online via the ZOOM platform; these sessions will not be recorded.

A Canvas learning environment supports the implementation, providing access to the course schedule, materials, assignments, and other relevant information.

The study unit includes working individually and in pairs or groups and requires active participation and commitment to interactive studying.

You will receive feedback from the teachers on the team assignment presented in the final session of the course. For the other assignments, the grade will serve as the primary form of feedback.

Attendance at the first Zoom session is compulsory: Feb 12th 2026 at 16-18. Participation in the other sessions is strongly encouraged, as some assignments are completed during class, and the points gained from these tasks form part of the overall course assessment.

The use of artificial intelligence on this course is prohibited.

Aika ja paikka

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

Oppimateriaali ja suositeltava kirjallisuus

Strategic Analytics. Harvard Business Review Press, 2020.

Bernard, M. (2017). Data Strategy

Jackson, P. & Carruthers, C. (2019). Data Driven Business Transformation. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.

+ Materials in course Canvas.

Toteutuksen valinnaiset suoritustavat

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.

You may also assess work-based learning as a way to acquire the competence needed. Read more in the student intranet.

Työelämäyhteistyö ja/tai TKI

There will be cooperation with companies that use data in their business planning and scoring.

Regarding tools, partner companies are:
- SAS Analytics; students will achieve data related SAS Data Literacy Essentials and SAS Data Litteracy in Practice Badges
- Microsoft: students will become familiar with data tools PowerBI and Excel

Toteutuksen tärkeät päivämäärät

Attendance at the first Zoom session on Feb 12th 2026 at 16-18 is compulsory. Participation in the other sessions is strongly encouraged, as some assignments are completed during class, and the points gained from these tasks form part of the overall course assessment.

Based on the degree regulations (2024), the student accepted for the implementation is required to confirm their participation by showing activity at the start of the study in the following way: In order to demonstrate activity, the student must be present at the first contact lesson 12.2.2026 or notify the teacher in charge of their absence to confirm his/her participation in the study. Registration will be rejected if the student does not report his/her absence at the start of the study or the reason for the absence cannot be considered justified. Another student can be taken in his place.

Canvas opens latest on 5.2.2026

Kansainvälisyys toteutuksella

The study unit is suitable for exchange students.

Opiskelijan ajankäyttö ja kuormitus

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. 5 ECTS is approximately 135 hours.

Sisältö ja sen jaksotus

The study unit includes four themes or modules. The orientation module must be completed before you can go on to modules 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Orientation
Module 1: Data in Business Environment
Module 2: Decision making
Module 3: Data Analytics and Accounting
Module 4: Data and Artificial Intelligence in Business Context

All modules are compulsory.

Please note that the course will be in English on the ZOOM platform.

Lisätiedot

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

Arviointiasteikko

H-5

Arviointimenetelmät ja arvioinnin perusteet

"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.

"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.

Arviointikriteerit, tyydyttävä (1-2)

Professional knowledge basis, information searching and reporting:
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 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 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

Arviointikriteerit, hyvä (3-4)

Professional knowledge basis, information searching and reporting:
To achieve grade 3 student must be able to
- critically evaluate information and justify their actions with science-based knowledge

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

Teamwork, skills, leadership, and responsibility:
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

Arviointikriteerit, kiitettävä (5)

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

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

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