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Business Intelligence Capstone Mastery Reflection - Business Intelligence Master’s Program

COURSE CONTENT & PERSONAL EXPECTATIONS

     It is the final Mastery Reflection post and I must say that it is bittersweet. So much knowledge has been absorbed, expectations have been exceeded, and yet so much is yet to be explored. The Business Intelligence Master of Science program has granted me the opportunity to build upon my experiential Business Intelligence (BI) knowledge, while introducing me to new concepts, methodologies, models and plans. 

     Specifically, here was my original outlook on what I expected to learn from the program:

• Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership will reiterate the integral roles that professional development, personal branding, social intelligence, and sound writing skills play in mastering one’s field. o Improve APA research skills and communication styles for academic success o Enhance problem-solving skills using a more strategic, non-emotional perspective

• Foundations of Business Intelligence (BI) will enhance experiential knowledge of business intelligence using a more academic and technical approach. o Improve technical conversations with other analysts and with BI systems vendors o Gain insights on BI project management 

• Enterprise Data Management will teach database design and data models, how to effectively communicate “complex technical information to a range of non-technical audiences” (Full Sail University, 2017). o Gain more insight on Human Resource Information System (HRIS) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) o Gain knowledge on Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) o Gain training on Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) and Supply Chain Management (SCM)

• Business Intelligence Technologies will improve comprehension of business intelligence systems design and data warehouse creation, as well as data warehouse management. o Gain insights on data cubes and data marts o Learn about statistical tools necessary to effectively analyze enterprise data o This will enhance my experiential learning in my current BI position

• Business Intelligence Analytics will increase knowledge of analytics and strengthens knowledge of statistical techniques. o Learn about predictive analytics o Apply predictive analytics to solve some data issues at work and improve on-demand reporting for customers o Explore whether Bayesian paradigm and Bayesian statistical methods can improve my current analyses for reporting purposes 

• Data Mining will teach effective ways to extract data and identify patterns. o Provide insightful summaries which influence strategic decision-making o Gain a broader perspective on reporting and project management issues associated with data extraction o Apply appropriate data mining concepts to daily tasks and measure effectiveness

• Patterns and Recognition will provide advanced knowledge of identifying patterns using statistics and an understanding of data structure. o Use data structure knowledge to identify limitations with using Oracle Business Intelligence, Business Intelligence and Microsoft SQL Management Studio o Use knowledge as a foundation to manipulate data for workarounds. o Use course to further capstone project preparation.

• Process Modeling and Analysis will reiterate the importance of sound business analysis and process improvement. o Apply proper use of business intelligence systems appropriate for respective companies or industries. o Explore DSS and key performance indicators (KPIs) further. o Improve current reporting and KPIs for recruiting and employee metrics through appropriate process modeling

• Data Visualization and Creative Reporting will sharpen presentation of complex analyses and reports to diverse audiences. o Learn more about dashboards and web-based reports o Use dashboards for on-demand reporting o Automate web-based report for frequently requested reports

• Business Intelligence Leadership and Communication Skills will refine investigative abilities which allows opportunities to create effective data analysis plans. o Apply “skills necessary for successful BI Professionals including listening, negotiation and meeting management” (Full Sail, 2017). o Finalize program capstone o Practice technical communication with BI associates 

• Business Intelligence Case Studies will allow opportunities to apply the BI skills and processes that I have acquired throughout my coursework to diverse array of business issues. o Explore appropriate use-cases for reporting, analyses and testing theories o Select and evaluate cases in detail based on issue at hand and proposed solution o Concisely summarize case results

• Business Intelligence Capstone will grant the opportunity to showcase lessons learned throughout the BI Master’s program. o Present data warehouse, key findings, thesis, recommendations and executive dashboard using sound data visualization skills o Exemplify “technical competence” (Full Sail, 2017) in capstone presentation and at work through technical communication when presenting new ideas o Provide a dashboard at work for on-demand reporting and provide snapshots of valuable data which measure key HR performance.   

     Needless to say, the program met my original expectations, in that, I hoped to apply what I learned in my BI career to improve current processes, enhance my overall position, and to be groomed for roles which required an elevated skillset.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

     Beyond my expectations, I was able to grow my perspective so that it is well-rounded and multifaceted; as it encompassed leadership views, analyst insights, consultant recommendations, identifying challenges and developing models for process improvement. Presentation and visualization skills also matured from strictly professional to professionally engaging. So much so, that I used my improved skills to present current and future states of a reporting process to my client, helping them cut down their client spend research from 40 hours to 5 minutes. 

     My wording was changed from passive to confident; my data maintenance approach was instead used as a foundation for innovation and providing insights. And, lastly, being able to repeatedly rise to occasions under pressure, while working full-time as a consultant, as well as helping to run a business, and ensuring that I am completing assignments and engaging with my classmates—trained me to manage my time in a way that I may not have otherwise explored. 

     The BI Master’s Program has prepped me for the real world by all BI standards. It has encouraged me to continue being a life-long student and bridge any skills gaps standing in between my current professional self and the future elevated leader I aspire to be in the BI industry. Gaining certificates from Lynda.com do not only show that I take professional development seriously, but are credentials that I can list on resumes and applications to validate my background in BI. 

     Personal branding which may have appeared to be unrelated to BI prior to being in the program, is now a must. Actively seeking advice from my personal Board of Directors does not only shape the professional I am but it also helps me to increase my opportunities for showcasing my expertise and using my voice in the industry.

APPPLICATION

     So, how will I apply all that I have learned? I will not. For I have already begun applying everything I learned in 12 courses—from Foundations of Business Intelligence, all the way to my Capstone. And, to me, that is the epitome of a successful academic career. Knowing that I have a high ROI and I had already begun seeing the benefits of such a program, so early on, means that my work, sleepless nights, sacrifices, and resilience have not been in vain.

     One week ago, I secured an Operations Intelligence job where I will use Business Intelligence for operational efficiency, to increase sales, and to provide insights to leadership, including the CEO, for two chains of 3.000 restaurants. Without my newly acquired Master of Science Business Intelligence Degree, I would not have already analyzed 10 top fast food restaurants from the QSR 50 list. In addition, without my constant practice of data analysis, I may not have quickly analyzed sales data for a small business which enabled proper distribution of their products to their clients, while being understaffed.

     So, upon graduation, I will continue to use everything I have learned to diversify my BI knowledge and career pursuits. And in doing so, I will enjoy the many career directions that I can explore while using and applying the concepts of Business Intelligence. I am thankful to have learned from the best in the industry and hope to maintain relationships with all of my professors and as many classmates as possible. Still onward, still upward!

  REFERENCES

Business Intelligence Master of Science (2017). In Full Sail University. Retrieved June 2, 2019, from https://www.fullsail.edu/degrees/business-intelligence-master

Marr, Bernard (2017). Big Data in Practice How 45 Successful Companies Used Big Data Analytics to Deliver Extraordinary Results (pp. 25-30). West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons. Retrieved June 2, 2019.

Richelle Desire LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/richelledesire

©2019 Richelle Desire