15.063 Communicating With Data, Summer 2003
The ways in which people make decisions range from intuition to analysis. (Diagram by Prof. John Carroll.)
Highlights of this Course
Communicating With Data features slide shows for each
lecture that use diagrams, formulas, and examples to help explain the material.
Assignments and
exams - all with solutions - are also available. In addition, this course employs spreadsheet models to teach students how to be intelligent users of management science techniques.
Course Description
Communicating With Data has a distinctive structure and content, combining fundamental quantitative techniques of using data to make informed management decisions with illustrations of how real decision makers, even highly trained professionals, fall prey to errors and biases in their understanding. We present the fundamental concepts underlying the quantitative techniques as a way of thinking, not just a way of calculating, in order to enhance decision-making skills. Rather than survey all of the techniques of management science, we stress those fundamental concepts and tools that we believe are most important for the practical analysis of management decisions, presenting the material as much as possible in the context of realistic business situations from a variety of settings. Exercises and examples drawn from marketing, finance, operations management, strategy, and other management functions.
Technical Requirements
Microsoft® Excel software is recommended for viewing the .xls files found on this course site. Free Microsoft® Excel viewer software can also be used to view the .xls files.
Microsoft® is a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.