BUSINESS DATA PROJECT - 2026/7

Module code: MAN1144

Module Overview

In this module, students undertake a business project in which they advise a hypothetical client facing a key strategic decision.

The project integrates theory, concepts, skills, and objectives relevant to the module and the client case.

As the project unfolds, students apply a range of analytical frameworks and digital tools and techniques to business data and information. 

By the end of the project, students will have transformed raw spreadsheet data into actionable information and produced a structured business report with findings and recommendations. 

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

GUMETA CHAVEZ Humberto (SII DUFE)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 105

Lecture Hours: 9

Tutorial Hours: 9

Laboratory Hours: 15

Guided Learning: 12

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None 

Module content

Indicative content includes:

 

Project context

  • Client background and requirements
  • Industry life cycle and convergence
  • Key strategic choices
  • M&A rationales and process

Project analysis 

  • Industry attractiveness
  • Competitive strategy
  • Key performance indicators 
  • Synergy assessment
  • Integration planning
  • Company data analysis using Microsoft Excel
  • Research and professional report writing

 

 

Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Coursework Group report 50
Examination PC lab based examination 90 minutes 50

Alternative Assessment

Alternative assessment for group report (coursework) is individual report (coursework).

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to meet the learning objectives.

Summative assessment

  • The group report (coursework) supports learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5
  • The PC lab based Excel exam supports learning outcomes 3, 4

Students receive marks out of 100 for both assessments along with feedback.

Formative Assessment and Feedback

Students will receive regular feedback during tutorials and PC labs. Students also have an opportunity to practice a mock excel test in advance of the actual exam. 

Module aims

  • To provide students with fundamental analytical concepts, frameworks and digital skills widely used in business analysis and decision making.
  • To engage students in an authentic business project requiring critical thinking, data analysis, and professional deliverables.
  • Embed transferable skills required for making decisions and completing business projects in a dynamic and uncertain world.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Understand the basic purpose and nature of data and information analysis in the context of making business decisions KCP
002 Analyse data and information using appropriate frameworks and tools, and develop structured, well-reasoned, evidence-based findings and recommendations KCPT
003 Display competent and responsible use of digital tools (e.g. Microsoft Excel, artifical intelligence) KCPT
004 Use Microsoft Excel to transform raw spreadsheet data into actionable information using a variety of techniques and skills KCPT
005 Demonstrate responsible and effective transferable skills in group work, critical thinking, and producing deliverables CPT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The Business Data Project involves two complementary learning, teaching, and assessment streams: Consultancy and Excel. 

Consultancy

  • Delivered through lectures and tutorials
  • Lectures guide students through different stages of the project, and introduce relevant concepts and frameworks
  • Tutorials enable students to discuss topics, consolidate their understanding, progress their group work, and receive guidance from teaching staff

Excel

  • Delivered in PC labs
  • Labs have a practical orientation and involve applying different techniques and skills to authentic company spreadsheet data while receiving guidance from teaching staff.
  • Caputred content in the form of ¿skills¿ videos are provided and guided learning involves students completing weekly worksheets in order to hone their skills. 

 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MAN1144

Other information

Surrey Business School is committed to developing graduates with strengths in employability, digital capabilities, global and cultural capabiltiies, sustainability, resourcefulness and resilience. 

This module develops these strengths in the following ways: 

 

  1. Employability: The module develops employability skills such as group working, report writing, business analysis and decision making. 
  2. Digital skills: The module develops skills in MS Excel and other digital tools (e.g. gen AI). 
  3. Global and cultural capabilities: The group coursework is an opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to work together and acheive goals. 
  4. Sustainability: The group assignment encourages students to consider responsible decision making beyond short term financial gains. 
  5. Resourcefulness and resilience: Working in teams, learnings new skills, and meeting client requirements and deadlines requires resilience and resourcefulness. 

 

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.