Course Outcomes
In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
• Utilize basic functionality of spreadsheet software for constructing effective databases that evaluate organizational decisions
• Conduct descriptive and inferential statistical analyses of raw data using spreadsheet software for informing processes and operations
• Conduct optimization analyses of raw data using spreadsheet software for reaching solutions that meet organizational objectives
• Present business data analysis using spreadsheet software that clearly communicates specific information to key stakeholders
Overview
Data analysis and communication of data to stakeholders are key factors in effective management. You can’t efficiently manage unless you know if objectives are being met. You can use data and spreadsheets to find areas of concern and decide if progress is being made for key objectives. Reviewing data should be done continuously. This is where spreadsheets that are linked to data sources can give you an advantage. When input data values change, the spreadsheets don’t need to be changed for them to calculate the results. You can use the data to measure the efficiencies or inefficiencies of key objectives.
Think about the plan-do-check-act management cycle. In this cycle, management plans for a set of objectives, develops processes, and allocates resources; the company will carry out (or do) the plans. Management also monitors how well the set objectives are being met. Then feedback is given (the check). Based on feedback, changes to the plans are made (the act). You will create an analysis report for the final project of this course. Your report will show your ability to logically look at large amounts of raw data. This data can be used to make sure resources are used in a way that increases profits as much as possible. You’ll create a report that includes your analysis of sales, costs, and profit. Doing so will allow you to have an overall understanding of performance that can be used for stakeholder decision-making. The project is divided into two milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three and Five. The final product, your analysis report, will be submitted in Module Seven.
Directions
In the case study, you’re creating a number of spreadsheets to measure specific aspects of a winery and its distribution operation. Certain factors, such as increasing wine production significantly or lowering production costs, need a lot of time to enact. However, changes related to distribution can be made quickly using spreadsheets. In the case study, new management wants to understand how efficiently the distribution system is working. You’ll study the data, then present it in a way that can be clearly explained to the key stakeholders.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
1 Organizational Sales: This is the first part of your final project. You’ll review raw data sets that summarize the production, sales, and distribution of wine. You’ll need to analyze the various types of wine and different distribution centers to figure out how they affect the organization’s total revenue. All of your analyses need to be submitted in an annotated Excel file. Each analysis needs to include your reasons for using the appropriate Excel functions.
A Using a pivot table, figure out the percentage of wine sold by distribution center. Show your results in a pie chart.
B Generate a labeled bar chart that shows the sum of wine varieties sold to each distribution center.
C Use the pivot table already created to calculate the total amount of revenue made for each distribution center. Show your results in a bar chart.
D Use the IF function to calculate the central tendencies (mean, median, and mode) of shipment volume for each distribution center. Show your results in a table.
E Analyze the frequency of shipments by size using a histogram.
F Create a shipment histogram to show the distribution of shipments for Portland and Riverside.
G Write a summary statement that describes the inefficiencies in the organizational sales analysis. In your response, explain why this information is important for influencing management decisions.
2 Organizational Cost and Profit: This is the next part of your final project. Use your findings and raw data from the previous section to dive deeper into types of wine and distribution centers. You will need to analyze these factors to figure out average costs and profits. All of your analyses need to be submitted in an annotated Excel file and include your reasoning.
A Calculate the costs of shipping to Portland and Riverside by pallets and frequency. Show your results in a table.
B Calculate the cost of production for the wine varieties sold in Portland and Riverside. Show your results in a table.
C Generate a labeled table that shows gross profit for each variety of wine for each distribution center. Explain why this information is important for informing operation efficiencies.
D Generate a labeled table that shows the profit after state taxes.
E Write a summary statement that describes the inefficiencies in the organizational cost and profit analysis. Explain why this information is important for influencing management decisions.
3 Optimizing Performance: Finally, you’ll decide on an optimal solution that will maximize the organization’s objectives. You’ll need to think about the level of sensitivity and uncertainty of other solutions in supporting your optimal solution. The analyses need to be submitted in an annotated Excel file and include your reasoning.
A Decide on the values of the constraints to be used to generate the target number when running Solver.
B Using Solver, calculate the level of sensitivity of decision variables and explain the importance of the report.
C Using Solver, calculate the limits of decision variables and explain the importance of the report.
D Identify solutions that will maximize profits for the organization based on the Solver analysis.
What to Submit
Your analysis report must be submitted as an Excel file. All spreadsheet, table, and chart functions must be created within the analysis report. Cutting and pasting spreadsheets, tables, or charts from another source will cause your work to be graded as “Not Evident.” It’s important to show that you used the spreadsheet functionality. Spreadsheets and tables must link to the information given in the Data tab. You must provide the rationale used for each task in the same tab where the task is addressed.
Supporting Materials
The following resource(s) may help support your work on the project:
