BTEC Level 3 Unit 5 Authorised Assignment Brief for Learning Aims B and C

Vocational Scenario or Context

You have recently joined a new company as a trainee data analyst. The company import a range of different speciality Cheeses from France and the Netherlands. They supply the cheese to many different restaurants and specialist delicatessens throughout the UK. The company face many challenges due to currency exchange rate fluctuations (between the Euro, in which they buy the cheese, and the pound in which they sell it) and the variations in economic growth. Their product is relatively expensive and sells better when economic growth is good and less well when it is poor.

You have been asked to design and create a spreadsheet model that can predict the potential impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the company profit margins.
The model should use the data collected by the company on average monthly sales of the top five best-selling cheeses in their range:

The typical margin applied to calculate the UK sales price is 40%. Profit is calculated by subtracting the cost per kilo in pounds from the sales price. The company have found that on average, for each 10p rise in the sales price (based on the 0.7 exchange rate) the average monthly sales drops by 20 units. If the exchange rate drops below
0.7, then the sales increase by a similar amount.

When the exchange rate increases, the company can do one of two things:

• Decrease the margin so prices stay the same
• Increase the prices, keeping the margin the same, but this will reduce sales volume

Your model should show the impact of doing each of these on the overall profit the company makes.

The model you develop should be designed to be used by people who are not experts in spreadsheets and should include a user interface that allows the user to enter the exchange rate and then choose to either change the margin or the prices.

Task 1

 Following on from the presentation you created for the manager of the company, you now need to:

• Produce a design for the data model that meets the requirements described above, including worksheet structure diagrams and a test plan. Your design should include a number of alternatives, for example, to the way the user interface is designed.
• Review your design for the model with two other people and record their feedback, and use it to improve your design.
• Write a justification of the design decisions you made and how you arrived at the final design.
• Develop the model based on your final design.
• Test the model using the test plan you created, checking that it functions as it should and that it produces the correct results.
• Demonstrate your completed model to a user and collect their feedback, using their feedback and results of your testing to refine and optimise your model.
• Write an evaluation of the design and the final optimised version of your data model, considering how well it meets the client’s requirements.

Present evidence that you have shown individual responsibility, effective time-management in your design and development of a data model, and making high-quality, justified recommendations and decisions. For example, you need to show how you have:

• Planned and managed your time and met targets.
• Reviewed and responded to outcomes, including the use of feedback from others
• Behaved appropriately while completing the assignment – including professionalism, etiquette, supportive of others, timely and appropriate leadership, accountability and individual responsibility
• Evaluated outcomes to help inform high-quality, justified recommendations and decisions
• Used appropriate methods of communication effectively

Checklist of Evidence Required

• Design documentation
• Feedback from the design review from at least two people and evidence of how you used this to improve the design, e.g. before and after designs
• Written justification of your design decisions
• Evidence of developing the model, e.g. annotated screenshots showing the development process
• Feedback for the review of the model by a user
• Evidence of how you used the feedback to refine and improve the model, e.g. before and after screenshots
• An evaluation of the design and the completed model
• Evidence that you have shown individual responsibility, effective time-management and made high-quality, justified recommendations and decisions.