Foundations of Big Data for Small Business

This unit introduces why big data matters to small businesses and the core concepts that make data-driven decision making possible. Students will examine data types, the four Vs, data collection sources and skills/infrastructure considerations to prepare for hands-on analytics and strategy development in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the value of big data for small businesses by identifying business problems, customer insights, and operational improvements enabled by data
• Demonstrate understanding of data characteristics by classifying examples into structured, semi-structured, and unstructured types and explaining the four Vs (volume, velocity, variety, veracity)
• Apply data collection and tracking methods by creating a basic data inventory map that includes sources (e.g., transaction records, sensors, public datasets) and the intended analytic use
• Evaluate infrastructure, skills, and strategy options by recommending an initial, resource-appropriate plan for storing, accessing, and delivering insights to stakeholders