MIS771 - Descriptive Statistics and Visualisation Trimester 1, 2017
Page 1 of 8
MIS771
Descriptive Analytics and
Visualisation
Assignment Three
Background
This is a group assignment (individual submissions allowed), which requires you to analyse a given data
set, assemble an interactive dashboard using the Tableau software, and then convey your results as an
assignment comprising of a presentation component and a written component.
Percentage of final grade 35%
The Due Date and Time 11.59 PM Monday 05th
June 2017
Submission instructions
Students can provide either Individual Submissions or Group Submissions (that is, in teams of 2 or 3
students). The assignment must be submitted by the due date electronically in CloudDeakin. When
submitting electronically, you must check that you have submitted the work correctly by following the
instructions provided in CloudDeakin. Please note that we will NOT accept any paper copies or part of the
assignment submitted after the deadline or via Email.
Important Note: Extensions are NOT permitted for this assessment.
You must keep a backup copy of every assignment you submit until the marked assignment has been
returned to you. In the unlikely event that one of your assignments is misplaced, you will need to submit
your backup copy. Any work you submit may be checked by electronic or other means to detect collusion
and/or plagiarism.
When you are required to submit an assignment through your CloudDeakin unit site, you will receive an
email to your Deakin email address confirming that it has been submitted. You should check that you can
see your assignment in the Submissions view of the Assignment Dropbox folder after upload, and check
for, and keep, the email receipt for the submission.
MIS771 - Descriptive Statistics and Visualisation Trimester 1, 2017
Page 2 of 8
Penalties for late submission: The following marking penalties will apply if you
submit an assessment task after the due date without an approved extension: 5%
will be deducted from available marks for each day up to five days, and work that is
submitted more than five days after the due date will not be marked. You will
receive 0% for the task. 'Day' means calendar days.
NOTE: The Unit Chair may refuse to accept a late submission where it is unreasonable
or impracticable to assess the task after the due date.
For more information about academic misconduct, special consideration, extensions,
and assessment feedback, please refer to the document Your rights and
responsibilities as a student in this Unit in the first folder next to the Unit Guide of
the Resources area in the CloudDeakin unit site.
The assignment uses the file OfficeLab_2016.xlsx, which can be downloaded from CloudDeakin. Analysis
of the data requires the use of techniques / software studied in Module 3.
Assurance of Learning
This assignment assesses following Graduate Learning Outcomes and related Unit Learning Outcomes:
Graduate Learning Outcome (GLO) Unit Learning Outcome (ULO)
GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and
capabilities - appropriate to the level of
study related to a discipline or profession.
GLO2: Communication - using oral, written and
interpersonal communication to inform,
motivate and effect change.
GLO3: Digital literacy - using technologies to find,
use and disseminate information.
ULO 1: Apply quantitative reasoning skills to solve
complex problems.
ULO 2: Deduce clear and unambiguous solutions
in a form that they useful for decision
making and research purposes and for
communication to the wider public.
Feedback before submission
You can seek assistance from the teaching staff to ascertain whether the assignment conforms to
submission guidelines.
Feedback after submission
This assessment will be treated as the final exam. Thus, assessment mark and feedback cannot be
released until the University officially releases the final results. The assessment mark and feedback will
be published on Cloud Deakin as soon as the official results are released. MIS771 - Descriptive Statistics and Visualisation Trimester 1, 2017
Page 3 of 8
Scenario
You will continue with your role as a master of business analytics student doing an interenship at
ANALYTICS7. The company is planning to run an online marketing campaign to demonstrate and promote
its expertise in developing insightful, dynamic, and aesthetically pleasing business dashboards for their
clients.
Accordingly, Hugo has challenged his team (including you) to come up with an interactive business
dashboard based on a dataset provided by one of ANALYTICS7 clients, i.e. OfficeLab.
Founded in 1989, OfficeLab is an American office supply retailing company
headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, United States of America. The
company has combined annual sales of approximately $14 billion and
employs about 66,000 associates with businesses in 59 countries. The
company operates 2,200 retail stores, e-commerce sites and a business-to-
business sales organisation. OfficeLab went public with a listing on the NASDAQ in
1998. By the end of 2000 OfficeLab had already grown to almost 200 stores across
US with sales topping $626 million.
In his memo sent to the analytics team via SLACK (see next page), Hugo has provided some guidelines on
how to tackle this challenge, design and deploy interactive dashboards, and how to report the results to
him. Now your job is to use your data analytics knowledge and expertise in Tableau Software to tackle
Hugo’s challenge and help ANALYTICS7 with their marketing campaign.
In particular, you are expected to analyse the OfficeLab_2016 dataset, assemble an interactive dashboard
using the Tableau software, and then convey your results as a portfolio comprised of a presentation
component and a written component.
Dataset Details (accessible via OfficeLab_2016.xlsx file)
The dataset contains data elements with characteristics that lend themselves to different types of Data
Visualisations and Interactions (that is, Multi-Variant and Geo-Location).
The Excel file contains details of online orders received (and shipped out) by OfficeLab in 2016 from their
clients across different US states (i.e., nation-wide data). Data description is available from
Variable_Description worksheet in the Excel file.
Hint:
You may add additional Statistical analysis and/or supporting data of your own
(additional Latitude/Longitude data, web links etc.). However, the focus of the
assignment should be on the core data provided in the dataset. MIS771 - Descriptive Statistics and Visualisation Trimester 1, 2017
Page 4 of 8
Hugo’s memo sent to analytics team via SLACK1
#ANALYTICS7 12:50 PM
Today
Hugo Barra 3:17 PM
#VisCallenge #OfficeLab #GroupProject
Hey team Business Analytics.
Let us all start working on #OfficeLab data and see who can come up with the best
interactive visualisations. Remember, our work will be showcased in the upcoming online-
marketing campaign. More on this in my next post.
Hugo Barra 3:20 PM
#VisCallenge #OfficeLab #GroupProject
The #Data_Visualisation challenge consists of the following steps:
a) Review the #OfficeLab dataset first.
b) Identify key #data_elements in the selected dataset that could be used to explore
further using data visualisation methods.
c) Define a #business/user_persona that will be the #audience of your data visualisation,
and develop a #story to help focus and guide your data visualisation development
process.
d) Present a #professional_report outlining the #key_aspects of your data visualisation.
e) Develop a #Data_Visualisation_Dashboard (using the #Tableau software), and present
#screenshots and #descriptions of the dashboard in #PowerPoint.
Hugo Barra 3:43 PM
#VisCallenge #OfficeLab #GroupProject
Gooood luck all!!!
Ah, and remember… I expect your projects submitted to me by Monday 5 June 2017,
11:59PM.
1 Slack brings team communication and collaboration into one place so you can get more work done, whether you belong to a large enterprise or a small business.
Check off your to-do list and move your projects forward by bringing the right people, conversations, tools, and information you need together. Slack is available on
any device, so you can find and access your team and your work, whether you are at your desk or on the go. MIS771 - Descriptive Statistics and Visualisation Trimester 1, 2017
Page 5 of 8
Submission
The assignment consists of two parts: a PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx file) and a Word Document
(.docx file). You are required to submit both files. This assignment is equivalent of 2,500 words.
Presentation Component – PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx file)
Maximum ten slides including cover page provided in PowerPoint format.
In the Presentation component of the assignment you are expected to develop an Interactive Data
Visualisation Dashboard, using your selected dataset, and then capture and describe various screenshots
in a PowerPoint presentation (no more than 10 slides including the cover page).
Then using the skills you have developed in the tutorial sessions (and leveraging any additional training
and online support provided by Tableau Inc.) you should develop an interactive Data Visualisation using
the Tableau software.
In addition to the screenshots, you are required to provide additional comments and descriptions on
each slide (for example, add audio commentary, or written notes on each slide), which describe details
about how you have considered the Data Visualisation Framework while developing the Data
Visualisation.
The questions below will give you some ideas of the type of comments you should include in your
presentation:
I. What and why have you selected certain types of Charts?
II. How have you used Colour (or not)?
III. How have you used Hierarchy in your approach?
IV. What Interactive components did you introduced?
V. How have you supported the motivations of the Persona you defined?
VI. Comment on data source details/citations, and any data manipulation you may have
performed.
You will NOT be expected to present an Oral Presentation of your assignment to the
class, instead your entire assignment score will be based on the assessment of your
written and presentation submission.
Hint:
You can capture screenshots using the Print Screen Key on the keyboard or by using
the snipping tool (Windows machines), or you can easily export “Screen images” by
using the “Export Image” option from either Tableau Worksheet or Dashboard menu
MIS771 - Descriptive Statistics and Visualisation Trimester 1, 2017
Page 6 of 8
Note: Give the Excel file an appropriate name such as MIS771_A3_studentID.xlsx.
Hint:
In PowerPoint 2013 an onward, you can record your own personal commentary directly
in to the PowerPoint file. Try using the menu option Slide Show → Record Slide Show.
MIS771 - Descriptive Statistics and Visualisation Trimester 1, 2017
Page 7 of 8
Written Component – Word Document (.docx file)
You are required to write a ‘professionally’ presented business report based on the working data and with
the following content (no more than four pages including cover page presented as a .docx file):
1) Identify Data Elements
Using what you have learnt in the lectures and tutorials, please describe each column in
the dataset (note: you should describe all columns regardless of whether you will
ultimately use them in your visualisation or not) and classify the Data (example,
Categorical, Numerical: Discrete, Continuous / Scales of measurements: Nominal, Ordinal,
Interval and ratio / Time/Date, Location).
2) Describe the Audience for your Data Visualisation
Describe the audience of the Data Visualisation you intend to create. This section should
include a general description of the persona, questions they want answered,
actions/outcomes you will be supporting, and the feeling you’d like to convey.
3) Describe at a high level what types of charts you might use to display the data.
Based on the data types you described earlier in this section, along with the objectives of
the persona you described, describe what charts and visualisations do you think might
work well to communicate our information.
4) Finally, describe any data ethics considerations there with the data you intend to use.
Describe any considerations you think you should keep in mind while developing and
sharing your visualisation.
Note: Name the report with an appropriate file name such as MIS771_A3_studentID.doc.
MIS771 - Descriptive Statistics and Visualisation Trimester 1, 2017
Page 8 of 8
Sample Rubric
Criteria Criteria Weight Not Attempted
Needs
Improvement
Satisfactory Good Very Good Exemplary
Presentation
Component
(60%)
GLO1
GLO3
Information,
design, and
interaction
elements, Persona
Objectives
50%
Very few Topic areas were
addressed in detail.
Visualisation elements are
poorly selected or do NOT
provide insights for decision
making. No logic behind use
of colour is presented.
Concept of Hierarchy is
ignored in visualisation and
interactive elements are
missing.
(0 – 14.9 marks)
Only some Topic areas were
addressed or most were
incomplete and lack clarity.
Visualisation does not
provide insights into
decision making for the
proposed persona.
Interactive elements and
concept of hierarchy are
poorly introduced into the
visualisation.
(15 – 24.9 marks)
All Topic areas were addressed
but most topics lack clarity
and/or incomplete. Persona of
interest is poorly defined. The
dashboard does not provide
meaningful insights for more
informed decision making.
Commentary and notes could
be more insightful.
(25 – 29.9 marks)
All Topic areas were
addressed but some topics
lacks clarity and/or
incomplete. Key elements of
quality visualisation dashboard
are included (e.g. charts,
colour, interactive elements).
However, it is unclear how the
visualisation could help the
defined persona with decision
making.
(30 – 34.9 marks)
All Topic areas were
demonstrated clearly and
are complete. Commentary
and notes are insightful and
clearly explain the logic
behind constructing the
interactive dashboard.
(35 – 39.9 marks)
An exceptional understanding
of all specified Topic areas
was clearly demonstrated.
The visualisation clearly
supports the defined persona
for insightful, data-driven
decision making.
(40 – 50 marks)
Overall
Presentation
Quality of
Presentation
Submission
10%
The presentation lacks
structure. There is NO
logical flow across
presentation slides and/or
presentation is unclear.
(0 – 2.9 marks)
The structure of the
presentation submission was
unclear and difficult to
follow.
(3 – 4.9 marks)
The presentation submission
had a basic structure but was
inconsistent or incomplete.
(5 – 5.9 marks)
The presentation was well-
presented and a good basic
structure was provided.
(6 – 6.9 marks)
The presentation submission
was complete and very well
presented.
(7 – 7.9 marks)
The presentation submission
was skilfully prepared and
comprehensively presented.
(8 – 10 marks)
Written
Component
(%)
GLO1
GLO2
Identified and
described data
elements,
described
audience,
explained charts
35%
None of the specified Topic
areas was answered clearly
or completely. Ethical
considerations are NOT
addressed. There is NO
explanation (support) for the
use of different charts,
graphs etc. and some data
are incorrectly classified.
(0 – 10.4 marks)
Only a few of the specified
Topic areas was answered
clearly or completely.
Audience (persona of
interest) is poorly described
or questions developed are
too basic to justify a need
for an interactive
visualisation.
(10.5 – 17.4 marks)
All Topic areas were
addressed but most topics lack
clarity and/or incomplete. A
clear alignment between visual
elements (charts, graphs etc.)
and objectives of the persona
described is lacking. Ethical
considerations could be
discussed in further details.
(17.5 – 20.9 marks)
All Topic areas were
addressed but some topics lack
clarity and/or incomplete.
Persona of interest needs
further development in terms
of his/er requirements and
alignment between
visualisation elements and
questions developed.
(21 – 24.4 marks)
All Topic areas were
addressed with clear and
complete answers.
(24.5 – 27.9 marks)
An exceptional
understanding of all specified
Topic areas was clearly
demonstrated. Persona of
interest is well-developed.
there is a clear logical link
between the choice of
visualisation elements and
the persona’s objectives.
Ethical considerations are
well-thought and clearly
argued.
(28 – 35 marks)
Overall
Presentation
Quality of Written
Submission
5%
The written submission lacks
structure. There is NO logical
flow across presentation
slides and/or presentation is
unclear.
(0 – 1.4 marks)
The structure of the written
submission was unclear and
difficult to follow.
(1.5 – 2.4 marks)
The written submission had a
basic structure but was
inconsistent or incomplete.
(2.5 – 2.9 marks)
All written topic areas were
covered and basic structure
was provided.
(3 – 3.4 marks)
The written submission was
complete and very well
presented.
(3.5 – 3.9 marks)
The written submission was
skilfully prepared and
comprehensively presented.
(4 – 5 marks)
OVERALL
100%
(Equivalent of 35 Marks)
0 - 29% 30% - 49% 50% - 59% 60% - 69% 70% - 79% 80% - 100%
Overall Description
Or Equivalent
Fail (N)
Or Equivalent
Pass (P)
Or Equivalent
Credit (C)
Or Equivalent
Distinction (D)
Or Equivalent
High Distinction (HD)