Course Modules - (IOM401)
IOM401 - 2 units – Tuesday 4:00-5:50 p.m. in HOH 401
(Business Information Systems – Spreadsheet Applications)
Spring 2006
Contact Information
Faculty:
Phone:
Internet e-mail:
Office Hours:
Website:
Dr. Arif Ansari
213-821-5521
aansari@usc.edu
Tuesday 2:30-3:30 p.m. and Monday 2-3 p.m.
http://totale.usc.edu
Course Goal
This course is designed to provide you with an applied understanding of how "spreadsheet applications" are
used to analyze business information. This course brings in the technology layer providing you with an
opportunity to create real world software applications that are used in (Accounting, Finance, Marketing and
Operations). This course will also enhance your understanding of the core disciplines by providing you
with the skills and experience to develop, test and implement work group systems that support
many of the information analysis needs of today's organizations.
Learning Objectives
• Master the use and design of spreadsheets ”Microsoft Excel" for business information analysis
in the areas for Finance, Information Systems, Marketing and Operations.
• Understand how to use application software to analyze business cases and improve the
effectiveness and efficiency of decision making processes.
Textbook MIS Cases - Decision Making with Application Software 2nd Edition by M. Lisa Miller
ISBN: 0-13-145440-4
Assessment
Individual Business Cases 75% - 6 cases (12.5% each) You will use your knowledge of Microsoft Excel
gained during the lab sessions and in prior business cases analysis exercises to develop spreadsheet
applications to evaluate the assigned case. During the class sessions a brief lecture will be given to
provide you with background information on assigned cases and any new technical skills required to
complete the case.
Final Case 25% You will use of the knowledge obtained during the lab sessions and from
prior case assignments to develop your final case. Development of the final case will allow
you to apply your technical knowledge and business analysis skills developed in this course.
Evaluation Criteria
Individual Business Cases
Quality of Analysis (scope, structure and accuracy)
4%
Meet all Specifications
Presentation - User Friendly (formatting and layout) and short
report
4%
4.5%
Final Case (These are general criteria – Prof. will explain in detail what is expected in the
final and the Actual distribution of 25%)
Quality of Analysis (scope, structure and accuracy)
Meet all Specifications
10%
5%
Presentation - User Friendly (formatting and layout) 5%
Application of skill set, innovation and creativity
5%
Schedule
Date /
Time /
Location
Readings
Due
Modules
Course Overview
Lecture Slides .ppt
Jan. 10th
4:00pm
HOH-401
None
Jan. 17th Case #1
4:00pm
Piemont Trailer
HOH-401 Manufacturing
Company
None
None
Basics of Excel
An introduction to MS Excel. Topics include
navigation, highlighting, selection, entering
& editing cells, basic formulas, simple functions,
coping, using absolute addresses, and printing.
"Basics of Excel"
Business Context
Customer Order Tracking System
Feasibility Analysis
Excel Tips
Linking Formulas
Absolute Addressing
Present Value (PV)
Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
Cell Protection
Lecture / Discussion Slides .ppt
Application Area (Strategy / Finance /
Information Systems)
This case focuses on developing on economic
feasibility analysis for developing a customer
tracking system.
(Cell Formatting, Cell Reference, Consolidating
Worksheets, Formulas, IRR Functions, Protecting
Cells, Range Names, SUM Function and
Worksheet formatting.)
Case #1 Piemont Trailer Manufacturing
Company
Jan 24th
Jan 31st
4:00pm
HOH-401
None
Case # 2
Milligan's Storage
Kits
None
Workshop and time to complete Case 1
Case #1 Piemont &
Page 10 (Information
specifications) #1-4)
Business Context
Inventory/
Inventory Analysis
Excel Tips
Conditional Formatting
Single Value Array (Match)
Offset
Use digital dropbox feature in Lecture / Discussion Slides .ppt
Blackboard, submit .xls file
by 12:00midnight 01/30
Application Area (General Business /
(name your file as follows:
Accounting / Operations)
case_lastname firstname.xls)
This case focuses on inventory analysis
evaluating information on annual sales, cost of
Example:
goods sold, gross profit.
piemont_ansari
arif.xls
(Average Function, Cell Formatting, Chart, Count
Function, Max Function, Min Function, Now
Function, Sum Function, Worksheet Formatting)
Case # 2 Milligan's Backyard_Storage
Milligans_Data_Template.xls
Feb 7th
4:00pm
HOH-401
Case # 2 (continued)
Milligan's Storage
None
Kits
Workshop
Case #2 Milligan's &
Page 4 (Information
specifications) #1-6) & (Test
Your Design #1 - 4)
Business Context
Market Research/
Web-Site Traffic Statistical Analysis
Excel Tips
Importing Data
IF
Working w / Dates
Array Formulas
Lecture / Discussion Slides .ppt
Feb 14th
4:00pm
HOH-401
Case #3
Mark’s Collectibles
Use digital dropbox feature in
Blackboard, submit .xls file
by 12:00midnight 2/13 (name
your file as follows:
case_lastname firstname.xls)
Example:
milligans_ansari
arif.xls
Application Area (Strategy, Marketing)
This case focuses on analyzing web –site traffic
statistics to better understand click stream
behavior and the technologies used.
(Average Function, Cell Formatting, Chart,
CountA Function, CountIF function, Import
External Data, Insert Columns, MAX Function,
Mean Function, MEDIAN Function, MIN Function,
MODE Function, Sort, SUM function, Worksheet
Formatting)
Case #3 Mark's Collectibles
Site Statistics.txt
Mark's Collectibles_template.xls
Feb 21st
4:00pm
HOH-401
Case #3
(continued)
Mark’s Collectibles
Workshop
Business Context
Market Research - Quality Control/
Customer Satisfaction Survey Statistical
Analysis
Case #3 Mark's & Page 37 Excel Tips
(Information specifications) Pivot Tables / Charts
#1-5) & (Test your Design Count IF
#1 - 4)
Feb 28th
4:00pm
HOH-401
Case #4
Klein Technology
Seminars
Lecture / Discussion Slides .ppt
Use digital dropbox feature in
Blackboard, submit .xls file
Application Area (Strategy / Marketing)
by 12:00midnight 2/27 (name
This case focuses on evaluating Customer
your file as follows:
case_lastname firstname.xls) Satisfaction Surveys. This case requires the
use of formulas, statistical functions, pivot tables
and pivot chart reports.
Example:
marks_ansari
arif.xls
(Cell Formatting, Charts, CountIF function, Mean
Function, Median Function, Mode Function,
Multiple Worksheets, PivotChart, PivotTable,
Worksheet Formatting)
Case #4 Klein Technology Seminars
KleinSurvery.xls
Supplemental Tutorial (Pivot Tables) .pdf
Mar 7th
4:00pm
HOH-401
Case #4
Klein Technology
Seminars
None
Mar 1317th
Workshop
Spring Break
Business Context / Excel Tips
Operations Management /
Sales Staff Productivity Analysis
Mar 21st
4:00pm
HOH-401
Lecture / Discussion Slides .ppt
Case #4
Kein Technology Seminars
Application Area (Accounting / Operations)
& Page 24 (Information
specifications) #1-5) & (Test This case focuses on monitoring the
performance of Sales Staff. The objective of
your Design #1 - 4)
this lab is to prepare seven daily productivity
Case #5 and #6
Use digital dropbox feature in worksheets and a weekly productivity summary
Madison’s Dept Store Blackboard, submit .xls file sheet, analyze the sales data using the
(This assignment will by 12:00midnight 3/20 (name PivotTable and AutoFilter tools, and generate
be split into two
several charts.
your file as follows:
parts)
case_lastname firstname.xls)
Example:
klein_ansari
arif.xls
(AutoFilter, Average Function, Cell Formatting,
Cell References, Chart, Consolidating
Worksheets, Count Function, Daverage Function,
DMax Function, DMin Function, Excel List,
Grouping Worksheets, IF Function, Max Function,
Min Function, Nesting Functions, PivotTable,
Range Name, Sum Function, VLookup Function
and worksheet Formatting)
Case #5 Madison's Dept. Store
madisons_data_file.xls
Mar 28th
4:00pm
HOH-401
April 4th
4:00pm
HOH-401
Case #5
(Continued)
Madison’s Dept Store None
Solver
Advanced Filter and Workshop
Case #5 Madison's
Department Store & Page Excel Solver
Solver can be used to set a “target” cell to
54-55 Information
specifications)
its minimum value, maximum value, or to a
#1,2,3(altered-see handout) specific value, by changing “adjustable”
,4,5,6)
cell(s) which determine its value. Further,
Use digital dropbox feature in
Blackboard, submit .xls file constraints can be set up which force the
by 12:00midnight 4/3 (name “Adjustable” cell(s) or “target” cell to stay
your file as follows:
with a range of values.
case_lastname firstname.xls)
solver.pdf
Example:
madisons_ansari
arif.xls
Maybe an additional
homework on solver ??
April 11th
4:00pm
Macros
HOH-401
Macros
Application Area (All)
Macros allow the user to automate their
keystrokes, mouse clicks, and menu command
choices. Conceptually, macros work similar to
player pianos in that they can be programmed to
Case #6 Madison's
Department Store advanced play back almost any commands the user
(Advanced Filter Questions desires. Macros are useful when you find
yourself repeating the same series of
- see handout)
Use digital dropbox feature in commands or steps over and over. To create
Blackboard, submit .xls file and use Macros, the user merely turns on the
by 12:00midnight 4/10 (name macro recorders, performs the action that is to
be recorded, turns off the macro recorder, and
your file as follows:
case_lastname firstname.xls) then runs the macro which replays what was
recorded.
(Macros, Assign a macro to a toolbar, Modifying
Example:
madisons_advanced_ansari built-in menus, Macro commands, Viewing macro
code, Custom functions, Procedures, Using
arif.xls
macros in other files, Recording to the personal
macro workbook, Copying modules, Referencing
a macro file
and Saving a macro file as an ADD-IN)
macros.pdf
Business Context
Financial Analysis Decision Support Tool/
Investment Portfolio Worksheet
April 18th Prepare for the final
4:00pm
by reading BJR
None
HOH-401 Investments, Inc.,
Page 48
Application Area (Finance)
This case focuses on a full-service brokerage
firm that wishes to develop a portfolio worksheet
to assist in keeping better track of their client's
investments. The portfolio worksheet must be
designed to retrieve up-to-date stock information
off of the web and analyze the data using the
auto filter, advanced filter, pivot table and pivot
chart report tools.
Work Shop /
Lecture Money Quote Add-in
April 25th None
Final Case
BJR Investments, Inc &
Page 48 (Information
specifications) #1-8) & (Test
your Design #1 - 7)
Final Case Due 4:00pm 4/27
and
Four 4 Additional
questions not in the
text will be posted on
BB at 4:00pm 4/25 you
will have 48 hours to
complete these
additional questions
prior to turning
submitting your case.
Use digital dropbox
feature in Blackboard,
submit .xls file by
4:00pm 4/27 (name your
file as follows:
case_lastname
firstname.xls)
Example:
BJR_ansari
arif.xls
Final case Due 4:00pm 4/27
General Notes
Note on Attendance
Attendance at all class meetings is mandatory. While attendance will not factor directly into your grade,
you will be judged by the instructor on how well you attend and contribute to class. Excused absences are
permitted in accordance with University policy - please notify the professor before the absence. Unexcused
absences that are anticipated in advance should be cleared with the instructor, and may be excused on a
case by case basis.
Academic Integrity
The use of unauthorized material, communication with fellow students during an examination, attempting
to benefit from the work of another student, and similar behavior that defeats the intent of an examination
or other class work is unacceptable to the University. It is often difficult to distinguish between a culpable
act and inadvertent behavior resulting from the nervous tensions accompanying examinations. Where a
clear violation has occurred, however, the instructor may disqualify the student's work as unacceptable and
assign a failing mark on the paper.
Note on Unclaimed Graded Paperwork
Returned paperwork, unclaimed by a student, will be discarded 4 weeks after the end of term, and hence
will not be available should a grade appeal be pursued by a student following receipt of his/her course
grade.
Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
Any student requesting academic accommodation based on a disability is required to register with
Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved
accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me as early in the
semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30am-5:00pm Monday through Friday.
The telephone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.