The following assignment is intended to be a brief introduction to how a spreadsheet package (Microsoft Excel) may be used as a Decision Support System.
business
Description
Description:
The following assignment is intended to be a brief introduction to how a spreadsheet package
(Microsoft Excel) may be used as a Decision Support System. One of the classic DSS applications
is "what if?" analysis, or the analysis of outcomes that may occur as a result of changing
conditions in the business environment. To introduce you to this area, you are provided with an
assignment that will allow you to model a business problem. You will identify relevant variables
to put in your model, build the model in Excel, then perform a series of analyses to see what the
outcomes would be under a variety of conditions in that business environment. Further, you will
also use some of the features of Excel (e.g. charting) in order to communicate your results in a
clearer fashion. You should follow the instructions and submit 1 assignment in teams of 2 -3
students.
The Situation:
Gizmo produces vintage motorcycles. However, employee turnover rates are at an all-time high
at Gizmo Manufacturing’s plants. The company is experiencing severe worker retention issues,
which as leading to productivity and quality control problems. The majority of the company’s
workers perform a variety of tasks and are paid by the hour. The company currently tests
potential applicants to ensure that they have the skills necessary for the intense mental
concentration and dexterity required to fill the positions. Because of their employee’s issues,
they also have problems understanding the financial and logistics aspects of their business.
Tasks:
Step 1: Since significant costs are associated with employee turnover, Gizmo Manufacturing
wants to find a way to predict which applicants have the characteristics of being a short-term
versus a long-term employee. Review the information that Gizmo Manufacturing has collected
from two of its data sources. The tabs Step 1 contains information regarding employee retention.
