Business Analytics

HBX is the digital learning initiative from Harvard Business School. HBX programs are designed to deliver a social, active, and
case-based learning experience in a highly engaging digital learning environment. Business Analytics introduces quantitative
methods used to analyze data and make better management decisions. This course is not based on rote memorization of
equations or facts, but focuses on honing your understanding of key concepts, your managerial judgment, and your ability to
apply course concepts to real business problems.

SYLLABUS

MODULES CASE STUDIES LESSONS LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Create visual representations of data that allow

you to recognize trends and detect outliers
Visualizing Data
MODULE 1

•
• Define and calculate descriptive statistics to
Describing and • Descriptive Statistics

QUIZ
summarize data sets concisely
Summarizing Data • Relationships Between
• Analyze relationships between two variables
Two Variables by creating scatter plots and calculating the
correlation coefficient

• Determine an adequate sample size, explain the

importance of random sampling, and craft sound
• Creating Representative and
survey questions to create representative samples
MODULE 2

Unbiased Samples
Sampling • Draw conclusions about the larger population

QUIZ
• Amazon • The Normal Distribution
and Estimation by calculating sample statistics and applying the
• Confidence Intervals
properties of the normal distribution
• Amazon’s Inventory Sampling
• Estimate the accuracy of statistics by calculating
confidence intervals

• Develop and test hypotheses to assess the impact

MODULE 3

• Designing and Performing of changes on an entire population or estimate

Hypothesis

QUIZ
• Amazon Hypothesis Tests differences between populations
Testing
• Improving the Customer Experience • Quantify the evidence in favor of or against your
hypothesis in order to make managerial decisions

• The Regression Line • Identify the best fit line for a data set and interpret
its equation
MODULE 4

Single • Forecasting
• Walt Disney • Analyze the relationship between two variables and

QUIZ
Variable Linear • Interpreting the Regression Output
Studios develop forecasts for values outside the data set
Regression • Performing Regression Analysis
• Perform a regression analysis using Excel and
• Forecasting Home Video Units interpret the output

• The Multiple Regression Equation • Estimate the relative predictive power of different
Adapting Concepts from Single
MODULE 5

• combinations of variables by performing and

Multiple • Caesars Regression interpreting a multiple variable regression analysis
QUIZ

Regression Entertainment • Performing Multiple Regression Analysis using Excel

• New Concepts in Multiple Regression • Expand the range of your analysis by using
• The Caesars Staffing Problem dummy and lagged variables

FINAL EXAM (OPTIONAL*)

* Exam is required in order to be eligible to earn the Credential of Readiness by completing and passing Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, and Financial Accounting as
individual certificate programs.

For more information, visit HBX.hbs.edu or email us at hbxinfo@hbs.edu © Copyright 2017. President and Fellows of Harvard College. All Rights Reserved.