Teaching period 2, 2017 INF10003: Introduction to Business Information Systems Assessment 3: Business report 2 Word limit: 2500 (+/- 10%) Weighting: 25% Assessment overview This assessment follows on from Assessment 1. In this task you will take on a more strategic role for Balogne Pty. Ltd. The purpose is for you to demonstrate skills in analysing and forecasting future sales trends utilising an Excel spreadsheet. You will also be expected to demonstrate research and written skills in responding to specific queries raised by the General Manager and finally, you will be asked to make recommendations combining an analysis of your spreadsheet and your research. Assessment details This assessment is based on the following case study: Balogne Pty. Ltd. Recap: Balogne Pty. Ltd. was founded in 1965 in Mackay, Queensland by Louis Hape, a former Cane Sugar farmer. He moved away from farming when he started a mill and refinery to process the sugar from local cane sugar farmers. His business flourished over the years and has grown into a multi-million dollar company with a strong penetration in the Australian market, and a developing export business. Not only does Balogne produce a large range of sugar products such as raw sugar, white sugar, brown sugar, icing sugar, etc., but also golden syrup and treacle. The operational information required to run the company, such as sales trends, distributor information, promotional information and so on, are not always documented well with some key information known only to a few senior employees. Although the company has a website it only includes basic information such as contact details and product types so it is unclear whether this website generates any new business. In fact, Balogne uses very little marketing and the new General Manager, Erica Norris, believes more can be done in this area. INF10003: Assessment 3 1 INF10003: Assessment 3 16/08/2017Business report and structure In order to maintain a competitive edge and see Balogne flourish, Ms Norris needs to make strategic decisions based on future projections. She has asked you to provide the following information in the form of a business report (with academic references): • An executive summary [not included in word count]. • A table of contents [not included in word count]. • Introduction. • Body comprising of: ◦ three (3) different forecast graphs created in Microsoft Excel that show future projections and growth/loss from 2015 to 2016 and 2017 (refer to Part B) ◦ one (1) pivot table created in Microsoft Excel that depicts the earning from 2015 to 2017 by product (refer to Part B) ◦ responses to queries that investigate contemporary issues in technology and business (refer to Part A). • Conclusions and overall recommendations. • Reference list, using Swinburne Harvard style [not included in word count]. Part A: Questions Using the case study and the Excel spreadsheet you create in Part B produce a business report that responds to the following queries in the main discussion section. Note: You must use in-text referencing throughout your responses. All responses must relate to Balogne with appropriate examples. 1. Knowledge management and business intelligence (BI) 1.1 Explain the importance of knowledge management. What is currently happening with some senior employees at Balogne? 1.2 In one sentence explain the purpose of BI. 1.3 Copy the two (2) graphs you created in Excel (Task B) and the Pivot Table (Task B) into your business report. Summarise for the General Manager the forecasts represented by the two graphs and the Pivot Table e.g. product growth/decline over the three years. 1.4 Change the percentages in the Sensitivity Tables (i.e. Inflation/Deflation rates) to see the impact these have on the graphs and the Pivot Table. Produce one NEW graph of your choice that represent the changes—do not use one of the existing graphs already created for this assessment—be creative! Copy this new graph into your report and discuss the impact the changes to percentages have had on the forecasts. All three (3) graphs/charts and pivot table must appear on your excel file and in your business report. INF10003: Assessment 3 2 INF10003: Assessment 3 16/08/20172. Porter’s Five Forces model 2.1 Write an analysis of supplier power for Balogne using Porter’s Five Forces model. How could this impact on Balogne’s future sales? 3. Security 3.1 Balogne uses data relating to employees, customers, farmers, distributors, inventory, sales, etc. Explain with relevant examples, three (3) potential internal or external threats to security that may compromise the safety of data within Balogne? 3.2 Recommend ways to secure this data from the threats you have listed. Part B: Balogne forecast data Recreate the Balogne Excel spreadsheet (shown below). You are required to: • write relevant formulas for the sections highlighted in yellow • produce three graphs from the projections (two that match the examples given and one of your choice—refer Part A Question 1.4) • analyse the results and graphs as part of your responses to the queries listed in Part A. Note: The spreadsheet must demonstrate proficiency in using formulas: SUM, VLOOKUP, MIN, AVERAGE, MAX, INDEX/MATCH, PIVOT TABLE. The following layout is a suggestion only. Ensure your spreadsheet looks professional in layout and includes appropriate headings. It should be designed so that a non-technical user can understand it easily without needing verbal explanations. Note: Create one (1) Excel file that demonstrates proficiency in Graphs, Pivot Table and using Formulas: SUM, VLOOKUP, MIN, AVERAGE, MAX, INDEX/MATCH, PIVOT TABLE. INF10003: Assessment 3 3 INF10003: Assessment 3 16/08/2017Example layout (2015) created by Swinburne University of Technology On the same Excel spreadsheet file create a separate sheet for the pivot table. INF10003: Assessment 3 4 INF10003: Assessment 3 16/08/2017Create the following pivot table showing the 2015, 2016, 2017 variation on % of growth/loss to volume sold. Submission details This assessment will be submitted via Blackboard. See the Assessment 3 section of Blackboard for more detailed information. You will submit two files to Blackboard: your business report (Word file) and your spreadsheet (Excel file). More instructions on how to submit this assessment can be found in the Assessment 3 folder. INF10003: Assessment 3 5 INF10003: Assessment 3 16/08/2017Assessment criteria 1. Format, structure and scholarship. 2. Part A: Responses. 3. Part B: Prototype (Spreadsheet and graphs). 4. Supporting references. Your work will be assessed using the following marking guide: Criteria No Pass Pass 50-59% Credit 60-69% Distinction 70-79% High Distinction 80-100% Format, structure and scholarship (20%) Did not meet criterion. The mode of communication is generally coherent. Expression is generally clear. Work would benefit from closer attention to expression, grammar or spelling. The work is clearly expressed in an appropriate style. Points are made with clarity. Care has been taken to ensure accuracy of punctuation, spelling and grammatical structure. Very good organisation is evident; the work is cohesive and structured from beginning to end. The work is fluent and stylish, and demonstrates confidence with the material. It is accurate throughout. The method and style of presentation is entirely appropriate, as are vocabulary and syntax. Extremely wellstructured, great clarity and maturity of presentation. There is little ambiguity in the expression of information and ideas. Extremely well-written, with accuracy and flair. Part A: Responses (40%) Did not meet criterion. Adequate responses to some task requirements and provided minimal examples that related back to case study. Reasonable responses to most task requirements and provided some examples that related back to case study. Some evidence of research to support responses. Responded well to the majority of task requirements with many good examples that related back to case study. Adequate level of research to support responses. Thorough responses to all task requirements with frequent and excellent examples that related back to case study. High level of rigour and depth in research to support responses. Part B: Prototype (Spreadsheet and graphs) (30%) Did not meet criterion. Prototype is adequate. Some correct use of specified formula for calculations. Layout demonstrates an attempt at professionalism. Produced basic graphs with minimal descriptions. Prototype is adequate. Some correct use of specified formula for calculations. Layout demonstrates an attempt at professionalism. Produced basic graphs with good descriptions. Prototype meets expectations. Correct use of specified formula for calculations. Professional layout. Clear and concise graphs with good descriptions. Prototype exceeds expectations. Correct use of specified formula for calculations. Highly professional layout. Clear and concise graphs with excellent descriptions. INF10003: Assessment 3 6 INF10003: Assessment 3 16/08/2017Criteria No Pass Pass 50-59% Credit 60-69% Distinction 70-79% High Distinction 80-100% Supporting references (10%) Did not meet criterion. Provided a minimum of three references from credible sources such as books, journal papers and conference papers. Created a reference list but with significant errors/omissions. Provided four references from credible sources such as books, journal papers and conference papers. Reasonably structured reference list. References generally cited appropriately using the Harvard style. Provided four references from credible sources such as books, journal papers and conference papers. Well-structured reference list. Accurate use of Harvard style referencing. Provided at least six references from credible sources such as books, journal papers and conference papers. Well-presented reference list. Flawless use of Harvard style for all forms of referencing. INF10003: Assessment 3 7 INF10003: Assessment 3 16/08/2017