FIT3158 Business decision modelling
Faculty of Information Technology
FIT3158 Business decision modelling is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Information Technology, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs ETC1000, ETF1100, ETS1102, FIT1006, STA1010 or FIT2086.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before FIT3158
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After FIT3158
No unit lists FIT3158 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisite: And completion of 24 credit points at Level 2 or 3 from FIT or BusEco units
Overview
The objective of this unit is to introduce you to quantitative modelling techniques commonly used for business decision making. This includes the analytical methods used to understand, model and design business processes, and the application of IT tools to real-world decision making situations. Techniques covered include decision making under uncertainty, linear and nonlinear programming, sequential decision making, forecasting, and simulation.
On completion of this unit, you are expected to recognise a complex decision making situation and to build a corresponding quantitative model. You are also expected to solve the model by applying techniques covered in this unit, to interpret results and finally, to provide 'analyst-type' recommendations. The unit includes extensive use of advanced modelling tools available in Microsoft Excel. You will also be made aware of simulation software as a tool for analysing business processes.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Online QuizzesQuiz / Test2%
- Assignment 2Exercise30%
- Assignment 1Exercise18%
- Scheduled Final Assessment (2 hours and 10 minutes)Examination50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Develop interactive decision models for business analysis and business process improvements;
- 2
Design and implement and analyse spreadsheet-based simulations and mathematical optimisation models;
- 3
Interpret the results of mathematical decision models and conduct sensitivity analyses;
- 4
Critically assess the accuracy and applicability of modelling techniques;
- 5
Communicate the results of model-based decision analysis.
Workload and teaching
- Seminars24 hours
- Applied sessions22 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Applied sessions start from Week 2.
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled online and face to face learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated reading and preparation for scheduled teaching activities.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
Analytics 2nd Ed, Cengage Learning 2017.
Powell, S. and Baker, K., Business
Analytics: The Art of Modeling With
Spreadsheets, 5th Ed, Wiley 2016.
Anderson D., et al, Quantitative Methods
2015.
Where it fits
FIT3158 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor David Dowe
- Unit Coordinators
- Heshan Kumarage
- Associate Professor David Dowe
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for FIT3158?
You need ETC1000, ETF1100, ETS1102, FIT1006, STA1010 or FIT2086 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is FIT3158 offered?
In 2026, FIT3158 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is FIT3158?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does FIT3158 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include FIT3158?
FIT3158 is part of Business information systems.