Description of LASA

In this assignment, you will create a business analytics implementation plan. The plan will consist of explaining business analytics to management, addressing the advantages and disadvantages of business analytics, the challenges of utilizing business analytics, along with a backup plan in case management does not accept the first option.

Scenario

You have been hired as a business analyst for a well-known design firm. Currently, they utilize technology for their day-to-day operations but not to analyze data to help with making business decisions. Your task is to convince management that the usage of business analytics would be a great benefit to the business and it would help the business to make well-informed decisions and thus action plans that would align with the business’s strategic planning.

The firm currently has technology in place but does not have any connected systems. The databases are all independent of each other but they do utilize a client/server environment. The firm currently has one location and it is looking to add a second location in another part of the state, but is unsure as to whether it would be beneficial to the firm.

Instructions

Using the Argosy University online library resources and the Internet, research business analytics implementation plans. Select at least 4 scholarly sources for use in this assignment.

Write a proposal in which you explain the importance of using business analytics.
Objectives of proposals:

1. Describe the business and provide a summary of the business analytics they could apply to their business in multiple scenarios.
2. Describe the benefits and disadvantages of business analytics, as well as how the organization can be proactive in addressing any disadvantages. Include at least 3 benefits and disadvantages.
3. Address any challenges the organization may face using business analytics, as well as how the organization can be proactive in addressing the challenges. Be sure to address at least 3 challenges.
4. Propose three business analytic techniques. Compare them and discuss at least two benefits and disadvantages of each.
5. Create an implementation plan to integrate business analytics into your organization.
6. Create a backup proposal in case management does not approve your initial proposal. The backup proposal should have at least 3 changes different from the original plan.

Write the paper from the perspective that it will be presented to management of the firm and you are trying to persuade them to utilize business analytics for data-driven decision making.

The paper has to contain the following:

• Cover Page
• Table of Contents (auto-generated by MS Word)
• Introduction
• Implementation Plan (5–6 pages of content)
• Conclusion
• References

Utilize at least 4 scholarly sources in support of your recommendations.

Make sure you write in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in appropriate and accurate representation and attribution of sources; display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Write a 10–12-page proposal in Word format. This page total should include the Cover Page, Table of Contents, Introduction, Implementation plan, Conclusion, and references. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M3_A2.doc.

By Wednesday, October 7, 2015, 

Assignment Components	Proficient	Max Points
Describe the business and provide a summary of business analytics.	A clear summary of business analytics and how it is applied towards the business scenario is given.	16
Describe the benefits and disadvantages of business analytics, as well as how the organization can be proactive in addressing any disadvantages.	At least 2 appropriate benefits and disadvantages of business analytics are fully articulated towards the business scenario. Strategies are described to address any disadvantages the organization may encounter.	24
Address any challenges the organization may face using business analytics, as well as how the organization can be proactive in facing the challenges.	A full description of at least 3 challenges that may happen while utilizing business analytics and how the organization will address those challenges.	16
Compare three business analytic techniques.	At least two benefits and challenges of each technique are clearly stated.	20
Create an implementation plan to integrate business analytics into your organization.	A clear and concise implementation plan to present to management as to how to implement or integrate business analytics into the organization is created.	64
Create a backup proposal in case management does not approve your initial proposal.	A clear and concise backup plan with at least 3 changes from the original plan in case management does not accept first proposal is created.	20
Academic Writing
Organization (12) Usage and Mechanics (12) APA Elements (16)	Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in appropriate and accurate representation and attribution of sources; and displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation. APA format was used. Use of scholarly sources aligns with specified assignment requirements.	40
Total		200