27 Jan D. Discuss solutions that

Question
QSO 320 Final Project

Overview Data analysis and communication of data to stakeholders are key factors in effective management. You cannot efficiently manage unless you know if objectives are being met. You can use data and spreadsheets to assess areas of concern and evaluate if progress is being made for key objectives. The process of reviewing the data is not a one-time event; it must be repeated frequently or be continuous. This is where spreadsheets that are linked to sources of data being collected provide an advantage. As the input data values change, the spreadsheets do not need to be changed in order for them to calculate the results. You can use the data to evaluate the efficiencies or inefficiencies of key objectives.

In the plan-do-check-act management cycle, management plans a set of objectives, develops processes, and allocates resources that the company will execute (or do). Progress in meeting set objectives is monitored, and feedback is provided (the check). Based on feedback, adjustments to the plans are made (the act). The final project for this course is the creation of an analysis report. The final product represents your ability to logically drill down large amounts of raw data to produce useful reports that can be utilized to ensure optimal allocation of resources to maximize profitability. You will construct a report that includes your analysis of sales, costs, and profit to develop 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 will be submitted in Module Seven.

In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

? QSO-320-01: Utilize basic functionality of spreadsheet software for constructing effective databases that evaluate organizational decisions ? QSO-320-02: Conduct descriptive and inferential statistical analyses of raw data using spreadsheet software for informing processes and operations ? QSO-320-03: Conduct optimization analyses of raw data using spreadsheet software for reaching solutions that meet organizational objectives ? QSO-320-04: Present business data analysis using spreadsheet software that clearly communicates specific information to key stakeholders

Prompt In the case study, you are constructing a number of spreadsheets to evaluate specific aspects of a winery and its distribution operation. Certain factors, such as increasing wine production significantly or lowering production costs, require significant time to enact. However, making changes regarding distribution can be made fairly quickly using spreadsheets. In the case study, new management wants to understand how efficient their distribution system is functioning. You will analyze the data and present the data in a way that can be clearly communicated to the key stakeholders. Use the following documents for your analysis report:

? Case Study ? Case Study Data Set

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Specifically, you must address the critical elements listed below. Most of the critical elements align with a particular course outcome (shown in brackets).

I. Organizational Sales: For the first part of your final project, you will review raw data sets that summarize the production, sales, and distribution of wine. You will need to analyze the various types of wine and different distribution centers to determine their financial impacts on the organization’s total revenue. All of your analyses need to be submitted in an annotated excel file and include a rationale. A. Using a pivot table, determine the percentage of wine varieties sold from each distribution center. Illustrate your results in the form of a pie chart. [QSO-320-01] B. Generate a labeled bar chart that illustrates the percentage of wine varieties sold to each distribution center. [QSO-320-02] C. Using a pivot table, calculate the total amount of revenue generated for each distribution center. Illustrate your results on a bar chart. [QSO320-01] D. Using the IF function, calculate the central tendencies (the mean, median, and mode) of shipment volume for each distribution center. Illustrate your results in a table. [QSO-320-02] E. Analyze frequency of shipments by size using a histogram. [QSO-320-02] F. Create a shipment histogram to show the distribution of shipments for Portland and Riverside. [QSO-320-01] G. Provide 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. [QSO-320-04]

II. Organizational Cost and Profit: For 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 determine average costs and profits. All of your analyses need to be submitted in an annotated excel file and include a rationale. A. Calculate costs of shipping to Portland and Riverside by pallets and frequency. Illustrate your results in a table. [QSO-320-02] B. Calculate the cost of production for the wine varieties sold in Portland and Riverside. Illustrate your results in a table. [QSO-320-02] C. Generate a labeled table that illustrates gross profit for each variety of wine for each distribution center. Explain why this information is important for informing operation efficiencies. [QSO-320-04] D. Generate a labeled table that shows the profit after state taxes. [QSO-320-04] E. Provide a summary statement that describes the inefficiencies in the organizational cost and profit analysis, and explain why this information is important for influencing management decisions. [QSO-320-04]

III. Optimizing Performance: Finally, you will determine an optimal solution that will maximize the organization’s objectives. You will need to consider the level of sensitivity and uncertainty of alternative solutions in supporting your optimal solution. The analyses need to be submitted in an annotated excel file and include a rationale. A. Determine the values of the constraints to be used to generate the target number when running Solver. [QSO-320-03] B. Using Solver, calculate the level of sensitivity of decision variables and describe the significance of the report. [QSO-320-03] C. Using Solver, calculate the limits of decision variables and describe the significance of the report. [QSO-320-03]

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D. Discuss solutions that will maximize profits for the organization based on the Solver analysis. [QSO-320-04]

Milestones

Milestone One: Organization Sales In Module Three, you will submit a draft of the Organizational Sales section of the final project. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.

Milestone Two: Organizational Cost and Profit In Module Five, you will submit a draft of the Organizational Cost and Profit section of the final project. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.

Final Submission: Analysis Report In Module Seven, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.