business report
PowerPoint Presentation Report Writing for ISYS 2056 Assignment This ppt is a brief overview and the Workshop mateial on CANVAS together with the Business Report Case Study instructions provide deeper and more valuable information to you Business Report Writing A Business Report is totally different from an Academic Report It focuses on the salient points in short, to the point sentences/paragraphs supported by relevant charts/tables ie Clear, Concise language, Short sentences, Charts (and Tables if necessary) 2 Report Format ISYS2056 Title page Table of contents Introduction Analysis & Discussion Major headings and 1-1 Subheadings relevant to the questions posed Conclusions Recommendations Appendices (could be used but better to include charts in the body of the report) Required for screen shots of calculations 3 Cover Page Report Title Course Student name & Student number Tutors include appropriate graphic 4 Table of Contents 5 Introduction States the: Purpose and scope Structure of the report For this report, this should be only a paragraph NB Know your audience For ISYS2056 the person receiving the report is the owner of the business, therefore ensure you do not provide information in the introduction that is already clearly known by the reader, eg History of the organisation. 6 WEEK 3 Forms of Business Analytics Business Analytics takes three forms: Descriptive Analytics: The use of data to understand past and current business performance and so make informed decisions. Not just Macro need Micro Predictive Analytics: Analysis of past performance in an effort to predict the future by examining historical data, detecting patterns or relationships in these data (i.e. creating a “model”), and then extrapolating these relationships forward in time. Eg Trends Prescriptive Analytics: Using a model where the output of the model can be optimised (maximised) by adjusting the input alternatives, so “prescribing” what the best decision is. Slide 7 Analysis & Discussion Considers what needs to be known before making business decisions Contains The findings of research/analysis, The interpretation of the findings, generally through charts and tables A significant discussion/interpretation in words of the analysis Uses consistent major and minor headings relevant to the questions posed in the assignment and from analysis. Is presented in an order that leads logically towards the conclusions and recommendations NB For ISYS2056, It is expected that analysis and discussion will be both Descriptive and Predictive RMIT University©2019 Analysis & Discussion Conclusions Contains your major findings based on the evidence presented No new material is introduced Follows logically from the Analysis & Discussion 10 Recommendations Focus on future action Prescribe what needs to be evaluated against the report’s original purpose Must be based on the evidence presented in the body of the report Are appropriate to the organisation represented, particularly given your knowledge of their income and profit Is not simply your opinion 11 Appendices Not usually part of the word count For ISYS2056 the appendix must include screen shots of calculations which you have used to assist in your analysis (NB: You do not need to refer to this appendix in the body of your report) A guide to inserting screen shots is contained in the Business Report Case Study Assignment BUSINESS INFORMATON SYSTEMS 1 (ISYS2056) ISYS 2056 Business Report Semester 2, 2021 Page 1 ANALYSING A SPREADSHEET, PRESENTING A BUSINESS REPORT AND REFLECTING ON THE PROCESS Due Date/Time: Friday 17th September Total word count: 1300 words (30% of Final Grade) This assignment is in two parts. In Part 1 you are required to conduct analysis in Excel of data related to the case study and write a 1000 word business report for the owner. This part is worth 24/30 marks. In Part 2 of the assignment you will write a 300 word reflection on the development of your data analysis skills this semester. This part is worth 6/30 marks. You must submit your assignment in one file to Canvas before the deadline. Please do not submit your excel file. Part 1: Analysing a spreadsheet and writing a business report. Case Study “Keep movin’ Gym” is a fitness studio specialising in group exercise classes in Adelaide, South Australia. The studio was taken over by new management two years ago and the new manager (Miriam Brown) wants to make some adjustments in order to operate the business more efficiently. Miriam handles bookings, accounts and organises the teaching timetable and roster for the casual fitness instructors she employs. Note that the instructors’ pay rates have been determined by experience, age and qualifications and so they differ for each instructor. The fitness studio offers a range of group exercise classes for members and also a senior citizen class which is discounted. The gym also offers individual sessions for those wanting a personal training session. Classes are booked per semester. Since purchasing the fitness studio, Miriam has been operating essentially the same timetable from semester 2 2019 through to semester 1 2021 and has continued to employ the same staff. In an effort to encourage new and current members to take extra classes she introduced a discount scheme during semester 2 2020 and semester 1 2021 (see the “Multiple class discount” columns in the spreadsheet). A discount is offered if two or more members of the one family enrol in a class or if a member enrols in two or more classes. Miriam believes that it is time to review the effectiveness of her dance studio with regard to profitability. Is the business growing? Are her profits growing? What are the likely future trends? She wants to revise the timetable and possibly take other steps to further increase profits and has asked you to: • Undertake descriptive analysis of the data she has maintained over the past four semesters. • Provide an overview of profitability trends undertaking predictive analysis. • Discuss the various options regarding possible future changes to the timetable based on your analysis. BUSINESS INFORMATON SYSTEMS 1 (ISYS2056) ISYS 2056 Business Report Semester 2, 2021 Page 2 • Discuss at least one business issue you have identified as a result of your data analysis that you believe may need to be further analysed. E.g. You require further information from Miriam before you can take action. Clearly explain your reasoning. • Make recommendations with regard to future changes which might assist in further improving profitability. Briefly justify these recommendations (i.e. prescribe what should be done and why this would be helpful, drawing on your predictive and prescriptive analysis). Miriam has set up a spreadsheet. She has asked you to use the data provided in the spreadsheet to complete relevant calculations and to use Excel ‘tools’ to analyse the data provided. She then requires you to write a business report which analyses and discusses both profit growth and the various options available to help increase future profitability. A spreadsheet has been provided containing the data for “Keep Movin’ Gym” enrolments for semester 2 in 2019, semesters 1 and 2 in 2020 and semester 1 in 2021, and various related data on costs etc. Report Content The analysis, findings and recommendations which you prepare for Miriam should be outlined in a professional business report. This report should include: A title page – with a report title, student name/number, course name (Business Information Systems), course number (ISYS2056), your workshop time and your workshop tutors’ names. A Table of Contents (TOC) A brief introduction which outlines clearly the purpose of the report. The analysis you have undertaken and a discussion regarding the results of this analysis. A discussion based on the results of your analysis that outlines possible options for increasing future profitability. A discussion of at least one business issue you have identified as a result of your data analysis that you believe may need to be further analysed. E.g. You require further information from Miriam before you can take action. Clearly explain your reasoning. A short concluding summary of the major findings of the report. Clear recommendations that Miriam can adopt. These recommendations must be drawn from the analysis you have carried out and must have been discussed in the body of your report. Report Format The report should be written and presented to a high professional standard and directed towards the business owner. Specifically you should: • Ensure your report is concise: 1000 words. This word count includes title page and TOC. It does not include appendices (note: a 10% variance is acceptable – i.e. the report should be between 900 and 1100 words). • Present the report in a professional, business format with no spelling or grammatical errors. • Use appropriate headings and subheadings throughout the body of the report. BUSINESS INFORMATON SYSTEMS 1 (ISYS2056) ISYS 2056 Business Report Semester 2, 2021 Page 3 Use double or 1.5 spacing. Fully Justify all text in the report. Include a page header with a suitably formatted title (the header must not appear on the title page). Include a page footer with your name, student number and page number (the footer must not appear on the title page). Include relevant charts and tables you have created - either in the body of your report (appropriately labelled) or as an appendix at the end of the report. The material in the charts and tables must be discussed as part of the paper. In an appendix include screen shots of calculations (as discussed below) which you have used to assist in your analysis (note: You do not need to refer to this appendix in the body of your report). A guide to inserting screen shots can be found on page 4 of this document. Do not include references or citations in this report Part 2: Personal Reflections For this part of the assignment you are required to write a reflection of around 300 words about the development of your data analysis skills this semester. The purpose of this is for you to better understand what you have learned and how this can be enhanced in future. This is a personal reflection and so should be written in the first person. You should write approximately 300 words about your data analysis skills. You should consider the following: • Briefly reflect on the data analysis skills that you had before you studied this course. • How did you apply the data analysis skills that you have learned so far in the course for the task? • Were there parts of the data analysis/report writing that you found to be particularly easy/difficult? •