ASSIGNMENT 1 FRONT SHEET

Qualification BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Computing

Unit number and title Unit 14: Business Intelligence

Submission date Date Received 1st submission

Re-submission Date Date Received 2nd submission

Student Name Bui Thanh Luong Student ID BH00174

Class IT0503 Assessor name Dinh Van Dong

Student declaration

I certify that the assignment submission is entirely my own work and I fully understand the consequences of plagiarism. I understand that
making a false declaration is a form of malpractice.

Student’s signature Bui Thanh Luong

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P1 P2 M1 M2 D1 D2
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I. Introduction

In this article, we will investigate and compare two important terms in business management namely "Business Processes"
and "Supporting Processes". We will also compare the types of support available to business decision making at different
levels within an organization. We shall examine the idea of "Business Process" first. A business process is a series of
actions intended to satisfy customer needs or accomplish a particular objective. We will explore specific examples of
business processes, such as ordering or payroll processes, to better understand their importance and how they are
implemented in an organization.

We will then study "Supporting Processes" in more detail. These are operations that support and guarantee the
effectiveness of company processes but do not immediately benefit customers or advance corporate objectives. We will
look at examples of support processes such as human resource management or technical support to see how they contribute
to corporate decision making. Finally, we will contrast the various forms of assistance offered to corporate decision-
making at various organizational levels. We'll look at the types of operational, tactical, and strategic decision support and
dive into how they differ from and impact business decision making.
II. Body

P1 Examine, using examples, the terms ‘Business Process’ and ‘Supporting Processes’.

1. What is BI?

The term "business intelligence" (BI) refers to the process, tools, and techniques for gathering, organizing, analyzing, and
presenting business information to support decision-making inside an organization. The main objective of BI is to convert
complicated and unstructured business data into valuable information that managers and decision-makers can utilize to
better understand the operations of the organization and make wise choices. determinedly intelligent.

An organization can gather data from both internal and external sources with the aid of BI. The data is then arranged and
processed to create clear reports, dashboards, and infographics that assist users in understanding and making sense of
business information. An organization can gather data from both internal and external sources with the aid of BI. The data
is then arranged and processed to create clear reports, dashboards, and infographics that assist users in understanding and
making sense of business information.

For example, a corporation can utilize BI to gather sales data, forecast consumer trends, and assess the effectiveness of
various branches. Managers may gain a general understanding of their organization, examine critical KPIs, and make
choices based on accurate and reliable information by using BI reports and dashboards.

2. Business processes.

Business processes are a collection of connected tasks that are completed in a particular order in order to accomplish the
objectives of an organization. Organizations can generate goods or services, provide consumers with value, and accomplish
their objectives by organizing and coordinating their work, resources, and information through the use of business
processes.
 A business process typically comprises of predetermined actions and tasks carried out in a logical order. The identification
of consumer demands, information gathering, data processing, planning, production, quality control, distribution, and
management are a few examples of these phases. Business procedures are crucial for improving an organization's
productivity and performance, guaranteeing the supply of goods and services that satisfy customer needs, and generating
profit.

For example, a business process for a company that manufactures a product might include the following steps:

Identify market needs and conduct market research to assess potential and consumer trends. Develop production plans,
including material selection, production process definition and schedule planning. Purchase raw materials and materials
needed for the production process. Producing products according to established processes, checking quality during
production. Pack the product and prepare it for distribution. Distributing products to customers or distribution channels.
Monitor and evaluate the performance of business processes for optimization and improvement.

3. Decision support processes.

The actions and technologies used in decision support processes are used to gather, process, and analyze business data to
assist decision-making inside an organization. By using this approach, managers and staff can get the data they require,
conduct in-depth research, and come to informed conclusions.

In a company, the decision support process usually includes the following steps and tasks:

 Information Collection: The Company collects information from various sources such as internal data, market data,
customer data and competitive data. This information can be collected through tools and methods such as surveys,
data analysis, and information capture from management systems.

 Information processing: Information is processed to produce reports, charts, graphs, and other forms of
presentation. The company uses supporting tools and software to process the data and turn it into meaningful
information.
  Data Analysis: Data is analyzed to find patterns, trends, and relationships between different factors. Data analytics
helps the company better understand business performance, market conditions and factors that influence business
decisions.

 Making decisions: Based on information and data analysis, managers and employees make strategic decisions and
day-to-day decisions within the company. This decision can involve human resources, financial management,
marketing, distribution and other areas.

P2 Compare the types of support available for business decisionmaking at varying levels within an organisation.

1. What is Power BI?

Microsoft Power BI is a well-known and effective business intelligence (BI) tool that enables users to connect to and work
with a wide range of data sources, develop interactive dashboards, and produce stunning reports.

Tableau: Recognized as one of the top BI tools available, Tableau provides robust functionality for data visualization,
analysis, and querying.

Two of Qlik's BI products, QlikView and Qlik Sense, let users construct interactive dashboards, graphs, and reports to
examine and comprehend data.

IBM Cognos Analytics: Powered by IBM, this tool provides powerful data analysis capabilities, allowing users to visualize
and share business information.

SAP BusinessObjects: A popular tool in the BI field, SAP BusinessObjects provides features such as data querying,
analysis, reporting, and data visualization.

MicroStrategy: This tool provides a comprehensive data analytics platform, including the ability to query, build reports,
and analyze based on real-time data.
 Google Data Studio: Google Data Studio is a free application that enables users to make and share unique dashboards and
reports using data from various sources.

These are only a few of the widely used BI tools; given how quickly the technology sector is developing, there may be
many more. The ideal tool for the job will rely on your budget and business needs.

2. Data visualization

Data visualization is the graphical representation of data and information using visual elements such as charts, graphs,
maps, and other visual formats. It is a powerful way to communicate complex data in a clear and intuitive manner,
allowing users to easily grasp patterns, trends, and insights from the data.

Data visualization serves several purposes, including:

Exploration and analysis: Visualizing data helps in exploring patterns, relationships, and outliers in the dataset. It enables
analysts to gain a deeper understanding of the data and uncover insights that may not be apparent in raw numbers or text.

Communication and storytelling: Visualizations make it easier to communicate data-driven stories and messages to
different stakeholders. By presenting data in a visually appealing and engaging way, it helps in conveying information
effectively and facilitating better decision-making.

Identification of trends and patterns: Visualizing data allows for the identification of trends, patterns, and correlations that
might be difficult to detect in raw data. It helps in spotting anomalies, understanding the impact of variables, and making
predictions or forecasts.

Data monitoring and real-time tracking: Visual dashboards and real-time visualizations enable organizations to monitor key
performance indicators (KPIs) and track data in real-time. This provides instant visibility into the current state of affairs
and facilitates prompt actions and adjustments.

There are various tools and techniques available for data visualization, ranging from simple charts in spreadsheet software
to advanced business intelligence platforms. Some popular data visualization tools include:
 Tableau

Microsoft Power BI

QlikView and Qlik Sense

Google Data Studio

D3.js (JavaScript library for creating custom visualizations)

Python libraries like Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Plotly

R programming language with ggplot2 and shiny packages.

These tools offer a range of features and capabilities for creating interactive and visually appealing data visualizations. The
choice of tool depends on factors such as the complexity of data, the desired level of interactivity, and the specific
requirements of the project or organization.

3. Type of decision operational, tactical and strategic.

Decisions in organizations can be categorized into three main types: operational, tactical, and strategic decisions. Each type
of decision is made at a different level of the organization and serves a specific purpose. Let's look at each type in more
detail:
Operational Decisions:
Operational decisions are routine, day-to-day decisions that are made to support the daily operations of the organization.
These decisions are typically made by front-line employees and middle-level managers. The main characteristics of
operational decisions include:
Frequency: They are made frequently and repetitively.
Timeframe: They have a short-term impact and are focused on immediate actions and tasks.
Scope: They are specific and typically address specific operational issues or problems.
Data and Information: They rely on operational data and information related to daily activities and processes.
Examples: Setting production schedules, managing inventory levels, assigning tasks to employees, handling customer
service issues, etc.
Tactical Decisions:
Tactical decisions are medium-term decisions made by middle-level managers to support the achievement of organizational
goals and strategies. These decisions bridge the gap between operational and strategic decisions. The key characteristics of
tactical decisions include:
Frequency: They are made periodically, usually monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Timeframe: They have a medium-term impact and are focused on implementing and adjusting plans and strategies.
Scope: They are broader in scope than operational decisions, addressing specific departments or functional areas.
Data and Information: They rely on both operational and strategic data and information to evaluate performance and make
informed decisions.
Examples: Allocating resources to different projects, adjusting pricing strategies, optimizing supply chain processes,
developing marketing campaigns, etc.
Strategic Decisions:
Strategic decisions are long-term decisions made by top-level executives and leaders to set the overall direction and vision
of the organization. These decisions have a significant impact on the organization as a whole and involve analyzing
external factors and considering future opportunities and challenges. The main characteristics of strategic decisions
include:
Frequency: They are made infrequently, usually annually or at longer intervals.
Timeframe: They have a long-term impact and are focused on shaping the future direction and competitiveness of the
organization.
Scope: They are broad in scope, affecting the entire organization and its strategic position in the market.
Data and Information: They rely on both internal and external data and information, including market trends, industry
analysis, and competitive intelligence.
Examples: Setting organizational goals and objectives, entering new markets, mergers, and acquisitions, developing new
product lines, major investments in technology or infrastructure, etc.
It's important to note that the distinction between these decision types may vary depending on the organization and its
specific context. In practice, decisions may also involve elements of multiple types, and there can be a hierarchy and
 interplay between them as organizations operate at different levels of decision-making.

4. Compare the types of support available for business in your scenario.

Business process (BP) and business intelligence (BI) are two key ideas in the field of business support. Each plays a unique
part in delivering information and enhancing an organization's operational success. Here is an evaluation of BI and BP:
 Target:

Business Processes focuses on optimizing an organization's operational processes for best performance. It emphasizes
defining, organizing, and improving work processes to ensure high efficiency and productivity. Business Intelligence
focuses on the collection, analysis, and visualization of data to provide insights and overviews of current and past business.
The goal is to support smart decisions and improve business performance.

 Limit:

Business Processes focuses on the organization's core processes, including manufacturing processes, customer service
processes, financial processes, and human resource management processes. It is concerned with how the organization
works and the interactions between the parties. Business Intelligence looks at data from a variety of sources, including the
organization's internal data and offsite data such as market data and customer data. It focuses on analyzing and
understanding information to make smart business decisions.

 Tools and methods:

Business Processes typically use tools and methods such as Business Process (BP) to define, design, implement, and
improve business processes. Process management technology and systems help organizations track and optimize processes.
Business Intelligence uses tools and methods such as Business Intelligence (BI) systems to collect, store, process, and
analyze data. Technologies such as data warehouse, data mining, and data visualization support the analysis and
presentation of business information.
III. Conclusion

The words "business process" and "business intelligence (BI)" have been evaluated and contrasted in the aforementioned
article as two crucial business management ideas. A set of actions and tasks carried out in a certain order to accomplish
corporate goals are referred to as business processes. These procedures are necessary to increase productivity, provide
consumers with value, and make money.

On the other hand, business intelligence (BI) focuses on the collection, analysis, and presentation of business data to
support decision making within an organization. BI helps transform complex and unstructured data into valuable
information that managers and decision makers can use to better understand their organization's operations and make
informed choices. In addition, the article explored different types of decision support processes, including information
collection, processing, data analysis, and decision making. These processes are critical for collecting, analyzing and
interpreting business data to facilitate informed decision making at different levels of the organization. And discussed the
various tools and techniques available to support business decision making, such as Microsoft Power BI, Tableau,
QlikView, and Google Data Studio. These tools provide functionality for data visualization, analysis, and reporting,
enabling users to effectively present and understand business information. Finally, the article has classified organizational
decisions into three main categories: operational, tactical, and strategic decisions. Each type serves a specific purpose and
is implemented at different levels within the organization. Executive decisions focus on day-to-day operations, tactical
decisions bridge the gap between operational and strategic decisions, and strategic decisions shape the direction and long-
term vision of the organization. office.

In order to optimize operations, make informed decisions, and accomplish your goals, it is crucial for businesses to
understand and implement effective business processes, use business intelligence tools and techniques, and utilize the
appropriate decision support procedures. Businesses can improve performance, adjust to shifting market conditions, and
maintain competitiveness in today's dynamic business environment by utilizing these concepts and techniques.
IV. References
1. Frankenfield, J. (2023) What is Business Intelligence (BI)? types, benefits, and examples, Investopedia. Available at:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/business-intelligence-bi.asp (Accessed: 06 June 2023).
2. (No date) Villanovau.com. Available at: https://www.villanovau.com/resources/bpm/what-is-a-business-process/
(Accessed: 06 June 2023).
3. Alister Esam and By (2021) Alister Esam, CustomerThink. Available at: https://customerthink.com/what-are-decision-
support-systems-and-how-they-work/#:~:text=A%20decision%20support%20system%20is%20a%20computerized
%20program,bad%20choices%20that%20could%20lead%20to%20serious%20consequences. (Accessed: 06 June
2023).
4. Business intelligence tools discover a list of the 15 best bi tools on the market (no date) Top 15 BI Tools - The Best BI
Software Review List for 2023. Available at: https://www.datapine.com/articles/best-bi-tools-software-review-list
(Accessed: 06 June 2023).
5. What is data visualization? (no date) IBM. Available at: https://www.ibm.com/topics/data-visualization (Accessed: 06
June 2023).
6. Types of decisions - decision making - higher business management revision - BBC bitesize (no date) BBC News.
Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zkdc7nb/revision/1 (Accessed: 06 June 2023).