DAT 210 Final Project Guidelines and Ru
ic
DAT 210 Final Project Guidelines and Ru
ic
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a recommendation report that is specifically catered to a given audience. The purpose of this project is to showcase
your understanding of foundational data concepts.
The project includes five milestones, submitted in Modules One, Three, Four, Five, and Six. The final project is submitted in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Analyze the concepts of data analysis and apply them to foundational business processes
Develop sound research questions around identified issues that allow for the creation of successful solutions
Identify possible solutions to business problems by applying appropriate data sources to research questions
Determine the applicability and reliability of data sources for problem-oriented research questions
Recommend the tools and techniques of data retrieval, cleansing, and manipulation of data needed for various business problems effectively to various
audiences
Analyze the relevant regulations concerning the retrieval and usage of data in various industries
Prompt
The Scenario: Running for Glory (RfG) is a one-site running-centric fitness store in Seattle, WA. Seattle has been a center of running enthusiasts for over 40 years,
with many stores catering to a wide variety of customers. However, in the past 20 years, most of the stores have expanded to include other sports and have lost
their focus on the running trade. Running for Glory has stayed true to its running history and has developed an extremely loyal, almost fanatical customer base.
However, the company has not kept a
east of the advances in technology, so it does not know much about its customers other than what its cash registers tell. It
can produce basic sales data from its cash register systems, and it can manage inventory records with the help of its suppliers, but RfG cannot analyze trends
in customer demographics, develop strategic plans for expansion, or engage in serious discussion with its suppliers concerning the viability of sourcing new
products or eliminating any existing ones.
One of the Running for Glory partners is convinced that the company should expand to the farther subu
s, where many younger people are locating. This
partner believes that RfG’s future lies in attracting new, younger customers in these farther subu
s, but without any demographic data, the four partners have
only their instincts to use in making any decisions.
RfG management, including executive partners, has decided to hire a consulting company to analyze the company’s situation and develop a report. You have
een selected as a consultant for this project.
Final Written Report (Due in Module Seven): Given the scenario detailed in the overview, write a recommendation report that is specifically catered to your
audience. You will be scored on how effectively you have designed your report towards your audience. A template has been provided in the Start Here area of the
course.
The following critical elements must be addressed:
1. Introduction:
a. Analyze the situation facing the client and explain what problem(s) need to be addressed in your recommendation. What business processes are
affected by this problem or will be affected by a solution?
. Develop sound research questions from your situation and problem analysis that can be used in the creation of solutions to your client’s problems.
2. Data Evaluation:
a. Explain the sources and types of data; detail which sources are not cu
ently available.
. How applicable is the available data to your research questions? How useful is this data in meeting the needs of your client?
c. Assess the reliability and quality of the available data. Consider such things as how well the client has maintained the data, how concise/specific the
data is, and so forth.
d. What are the regulations around retrieval of data for this industry? Will any of these regulations limit what you can do for your client? How?
3. Data Processing Steps:
a. Outline the recommended steps for your audience, explaining how and when each would occur.
. Explain each step’s importance; how will these steps allow the data to be used to answer your research questions and meetclient needs?
c. How will you ensure the integrity of the data as you process it? Are there regulations that limit your usage and manipulations?
4. Data Analysis:
a. What major concepts of data analysis from this course can you apply to this case? How do these concepts fit? Are there adjustments that need to
emade in order to apply them to the foundational business processes of your client?
. Identify possible solutions for your client. What tools, methods, and strategies would you incorporate using the available dataresources?
5. Audience Attention: Be sure to write your report in a way that clearly communicates the intent to the given audience and effectively portrays your
ecommendations.
Milestones
Milestone One
Milestone One will be completed in Module One and will serve as an introduction to the final project. Based on the scenario provided, analyze the situation facing
Running for Glory and explain what problem(s) need to be addressed in your recommendation. What business processes are affected by this problem or will be
affected by a solution?
Write a 1–2-page response (4 paragraphs) using the following headings for each section:
Situation Analysis
Problem Identification
Business Processes Affected
Conclusion
This milestone is graded with the Milestone One Ru
ic.
Milestone Two
Milestone Two will be completed in Module Three. Milestone Two is centered on formulating sound research questions and evaluating data sources. From your
assessment in Milestone One of the business problem/opportunity faced by Running for Glory, develop sound research questions that can be used in the creation
of solutions to your client’s issues. There might be existing data available as well as data you might want to gather for your analysis. Develop a list of sources and