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St Josephs College
ASSIGNMENT 27.1
COURSE: BTEC First Certificate
IT Practitioners
UNIT 27:

YEAR: 2010/12

Spreadsheet Modelling

OUTCOME:

STUDENT DECLARATION: I confirm that the work I am submitting

for this unit is my own work.
STUDENT NAME: Zachariah
Thompson_________________________________________
STUDENT SIGNATURE: ____________________________________
DATE SET: 06/09/2010
DATE SUBMITTED:
_______________

DATE DUE: 6/10/2010

________________

DATE RE-SUBMITTED:

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Bookshop spreadsheet solution

CRITERIA ASSESSED IN THIS ASSIGNMENT:
P1

P2

P3

P4

P5

P6

P7

P8

M1

M2

M3

D1

D2

CRITERIA ACHIEVED IN THIS ASSIGNMENT:

ASSESSORS GENERAL COMMENTS:

ASSESSOR:

DATE:

INTERNAL VERIFIER:

DATE:

BTEC First UNIT 27: Spreadsheet Modelling Assignment

Title JEM Bookshop
Issue Date: 6/09/2010
Deadline Date: 6/10/2010
This assignment covers criteria: P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, M1, M2, M3,
D1, D2 and D3

_________________________________________________________________________________

Scenario
JEM Bookshop is a large, busy city centre bookshop selling a wide variety of books.
The
Bookshop is open seven days a week and has a number of full- and part-time staff
working on a rota basis to ensure that there is sufficient cover while the bookshop is
open. At present all administration is done manually.
You are a junior systems developer with an IT consultancy firm that specialises in
spreadsheet solutions for retail outlets.
Task 1
You have been asked to prepare a short presentation on the uses of spreadsheets,
with particular emphasis on how JEM Bookshop could make use of them. You will
need to give at least three specific examples that would apply to JEM. (Mention:
formulae, functions, graphs, charts, pictures, diagrams, type of formatting and look
online for examples of spreadsheets and spreadsheet templates).
Create a PowerPoint presentation with supporting notes to show evidence for this
task.
P1

Task 2
List other spreadsheet file formats and
mention the names of the software as
well. Write about why it is important to
keep spreadsheet files in different
formats.
Make printscreens (screen shots) of how
to save your spreadsheet into different
suitable, formats.
P2
Task 3
3

Following your initial contact with JEM Bookshop,

you have been asked to develop a proposed
spreadsheet solution. JEM have outlined their
initial requirements for a weekly spreadsheet and
have confirmed that they receive a 25% discount
from their suppliers against the retail price of each
book. One of your colleagues has produced a
sample data set of weekly figures based on recent
JEM sales (this data can be found in the Book data
table.)
Initial requirements from JEM for their weekly
spreadsheet are:
- clear display of retail price, cost price, book
sales, income and profit by book title
- title on top of spreadsheet (add your name to
spreadsheet)
- calculation of total weekly sales (all books)
- calculation (and display at the bottom of the
spreadsheet) of the average, minimum and
maximum retail price of the books listed
- graphical display (chart) of sales for the first 10
books listed. (Headings and legends and names
for axes). P6
- Using the data provided in the Book data table
for week 1 only create a suitable spreadsheet
to meet these initial requirements.
P3
Task 4
JEM needs to be convinced that the calculations and results produced by your
spreadsheet are correct.
Show that you have checked the results of all formulae and functions by comparison
with an independent method, for example calculation, mental arithmetic. You need
to discuss each different formula you have used and motivate why it is correct. Use
callouts and the spreadsheet in task 3.
P4
Task 5
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The final spreadsheet should be reviewed to ensure appropriate data presentation,

ie check that the data types and applied formatting are appropriate, for example
ensure that key information is emphasised, decimal places are realistic and
consistently applied and all data is visible. Use Task 3a for this and make call-outs
to explain.
P5
Task 6
Create a test plan for any one of the four weeks. Discuss different input data and
also what the expected outcome should be. Use this table to do the test plan:
Test
number

What is tested
Formula to
calculate cost price
Formula to
calculate first
books sales

1
2

Data to be used

Expected outcome

Retail price: 100

Cost price: 75

Now create a second table which will show the ACTUAL RESULTS from testing. If
you did not get the correct results, explain what you have done to correct them.
Test
numbe
r

What is
tested
Formula to
calculate cost
price
Formula to
calculate first
books sales

1
2

Data to be
used

Expected
outcome

Retail price:
100

Cost price: 75

ACTUAL
OUTCOME
75.00 Testing
successful.

P7

Task 7
Produce a user guide for the employees. This will help them to use your
spreadsheet effectively. Mention the following in your guide:

General usage of your spreadsheet

How to add a new book
How to remove a book
How to change formulas if percentage discount changes
How to change a books retail price
What each of the totals mean
How to interpret the chart (of all four weeks)
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Use screen dumps (print screens) with explanations to create this guide.
P8
Task 8
JEM would like the option of seeing the weekly figures combined into a multi-page
spreadsheet with a chart showing total weekly book sales over the fourweek period.
Use the spreadsheet developed in Task 3, together with the data for weeks 2, 3 and
4 from the Book data table, to produce a multi-page spreadsheet showing a weekly
analysis for each individual week. (Chart must be on separate tab).
Due to the current economic climate, the discount has changed from 25% to 15%.
Adjust your formulas to reflect this).
Any additional formulae and functions used must be checked and confirmation that
they are working correctly provided. Make screen prints and explain how your
results are different from task 3.
M1
Task 9
In order to agree a contract with JEM your sales manager has suggested that you
show JEM how much more they could get from a spreadsheet solution by using
techniques such as filtering, sorting and additional charts. Using the original four
weekly sales data sheet provided in the Book data table, add a column to display
the total sales and total profit for each title over the four-week period.
Use this amended spreadsheet to illustrate the following techniques/tools:
-

filtered lists
sorted lists
charts

To show your ability to interpret the data you have presented, explain the purpose
of each list and chart and how you have made them.
M2
Task 10
Use the spreadsheet Analyse this.xls to analyse and interpret the data in the
workbook.
-

Explain the purpose of all the different formulas

Explain the purpose of the charts
Explain the need for all the sheets in the workbook
M3

Task 11
Produce a report for your sales manager that evaluates the benefits of your
proposed spreadsheet solution for JEM and describe any potential improvements you
would make to improve its efficiency.
D1
Task 12
To make it easier for employees using the spreadsheet you now need to create
automated procedures. Identify the procedures and explain why these are useful.
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Also, make printscreens to explain how they work. You need to create the following
and two of your own:
-

Buttons linked to Macros to hide and unhide certain columns.

Hyperlinks to external sites.
Hyperlinks to other parts of workbook (shortcuts).
Button to show print preview of certain selected area.
Other useful macros and automation methods.
D2

Book data
Title

Author

Retail price

Sales week 1

Sales
week 2

Sales week
3

Sales week
4

A Guide to Alternative Music

Debbie Ferris

16.99

66

27

64

63

Better Database Techniques

Eddie Newman

17.99

91

88

61

133

British Prime Ministers

Mikel Andersson

13.99

94

103

75

75

Computer Graphics

Josie Hanley

18.99

42

79

63

67

Cooking for One

Helen Higginson

9.99

65

43

28

70

Essential Networking

Michael Richards

24.99

98

105

116

89

Explore New York

Alan Humphries

22.99

53

77

36

41

Garden Birds in the UK

Millie Yeates

15.99

21

54

55

18

Improve Your Memory

Katriana Franklin

12.99

76

71

41

53

Internet Basics
Matters Arising: Holding Effective
Meetings

Jan Brewer

17.99

58

76

84

103

Paula Ashwood

4.99

60

75

36

44

Photography in Black and White

Christopher Ward-Smith

21.99

49

56

41

65

Programming Techniques in C++

Judith Tucker

27.99

108

113

67

82

Raising Kittens

Rebekah Clewer

8.99

45

90

73

71

Repairing Your Computer

Matthew Davis

21.99

31

47

61

73

The Good Study Guide

Leandro de Mancelli

6.99

101

90

106

79

The Houseplants Handbook

Jaswat Barker

9.99

49

57

51

48

The Life of Martin Luther King

Kenny Jackson

11.99

51

47

66

23

UK Footballers Directory 2006

Roman Phillips

14.99

51

52

56

66

Understanding Websites

Sophie Greggs

24.99

46

73

94

92

Grading Criteria covered by this assignment

Grading Criteria Covered:

P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, M1, M2,
D1, D2

Tasks / Evidence

P1

Describe the uses of spreadsheet software.

Task 1. PowerPoint presentation

slides and accompanying notes
(1)

P2

Explain why spreadsheets may need to be

converted to alternative file formats.

Task 2. List and write-up.

P3

Develop a spreadsheet model to meet

particular needs.

Task 3. Spreadsheet.

P4

Use simple formulae and functions to

process
Information.

Task 4.

P5

Use data types and formatting to present

information.

Task 5

P6

Use appropriate tools to present data.

Chart in task3.

P7

Test a spreadsheet to ensure that it is fit for

purpose.

Task 6.

P8

Produce user documentation for a

spreadsheet model.

Task 7.

M1

Refine a spreadsheet model by changing

rules and values.

Task 8.

M2

Justify choice of tools for presenting data

Task 9.

M3

Analyse and interpret data from a

spreadsheet model.

Task 10.

D1

Evaluate a spreadsheet model suggesting

further refinements.

Task 11.

D2

Use automated features in the spreadsheet

model.

Task 12.

Unit content covered by this assignment

1 Understand what spreadsheets are and how they can be used
Nature and purpose: manipulation of structured mainly numeric data; presentation
of information; manipulation of lists as flat file databases; terminology, eg cells,
rows, fields, columns; workbooks; examples of uses in industry and commerce
Uses of spreadsheets: presentation of information, eg to clarify relationships or
interpret data; repetitively and accurately performing calculations, eg payroll,
statistics; list management, eg searching large datasets, interpreting data using
sorting and filtering
User need: processing requirements; input and output
2 Be able to create complex spreadsheets that use a range of formulae,
functions and features
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Formulae: simple mathematical formulae (add, subtract, divide, multiply), eg

calculating
VAT, totalling columns of figures; complex formulae involving two stage calculations,
eg calculations of pay based on basic hours and overtime, compound interest
Functions: statistical functions, eg sum, average, min, max, count, countif; logical
functions, eg IF, OR, AND
Entering and editing data: absolute and relative cell referencing; autofilling cells;
linking cells between different spreadsheets or workbooks; use of paste and paste
link
Improving efficiency: shortcuts, eg to aid movement around multisheet spreadsheet,
to perform complex formatting
Combining information: between different application packages, eg inserting graphs
produced into word processing documents
File handling: file management, eg naming files, folder structures, moving and
deleting files
3 Be able to use spreadsheets to present, analyse and interpret data
Presenting data: appropriate data types (text, currency and date); formatting cells
(colours, shading, alignment, borders); other formatting, eg increasing/decreasing
decimal points, merging cells; formatting charts, eg titles and labels, resizing and
moving; choice of chart type; formatting sheets, eg headers and footers, adjust page
set-up for printing, appropriate page breaks
Analysing and interpreting data: converting spreadsheet data to charts and graphs;
filtering and sorting lists; choice of methods for complex spreadsheets
4 Be able to check and document a spreadsheet solution
Checking: check formulae and functions work correctly; sorting out errors; user
requirements met
Documentation: user requirements; detail of formulae and functions used

Learning outcomes covered by this assignment

On completion of this unit a learner should:
1 Understand what spreadsheets are and how they can be used
2 Be able to create complex spreadsheets that use a range of formulae, functions
and features
3 Be able to use spreadsheets to present, analyse and interpret data
4 Be able to check and document a spreadsheet solution.

Checklist to follow

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Student Checklist

NAME:

Tasks

Completed
(Tick box)

Page
number

Read the assignment

1 Create presentation on uses of spreadsheets

1 Include uses of 3 different spreadsheet uses for JEM
1 Show different templates
2 Explain the different file formats
2 Show how to save in different formats
3 All six initial requirements shown on spreadsheet
3 Chart for week 1 included
4 Evidence of checking results
5 Evidence of review of data types and presentation
6 Test plan in a table
6 Testing carried out
7 User guide with criteria
8 Workbook with multiple sheets
8 Chart on own tab
8 Changes reflected in results (25% decreased to 15%)
9 Filtered and sorted lists and charts added to new sheet
9 Explanations of each extra list and chart
10 All the different sheets analysed and interpreted
10 All the charts analysed and explained
10 All the formulas analysed and explained
11 Report on WHOLE spreadsheet solution including improvements suggested

12 Identify automations needed

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12 Evidence of HOW it was implemented (made)

12 Evidence of own automation created for JEM bookshop

It is important that you read the statement in bold below this and if it is true,
you should sign to confirm that this is your own work, containing your own
evidence.
I have completed my JEM Bookshop spreadsheet solution Assignment evidence myself. I
have stored my evidence in computer files in my user area on the College computer
network.

Student signature: ___________________

Date:

_________________

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