Lesson 08
Project Kickoff: Team Setup
Students launch their team project with a clear problem definition, workbook skeleton, and their group's assigned dataset. The structure mirrors the rehearsal lesson exactly so teams can focus on their specific business scenario.
PBL Milestone 1
Project Kickoff: Team Setup
Define the project scope, stakeholders, and success metrics for the weekend‑ops analysis
Business Objectives
- Cut weekend food waste to ≤3% while protecting service quality
- Align inventory and staffing to true demand patterns
- Increase weekend profit using data‑driven choices
- Communicate a clear, believable plan to the café manager
Excel Objectives
- Clean data with TRIM, Remove Duplicates, Text‑to‑Columns
- Use Analysis ToolPak: Descriptive Stats, Histogram, Regression
- Create charts with trendlines; label clearly for decisions
- Build a forecast tab using FORECAST.LINEAR and checks
Why This Matters
Leaders trust teams that plan before they build. A clear problem statement, strong data plan, and a workbook skeleton show you can deliver a result the café manager can actually use.
Milestone 1
Acceptance Criteria
- Problem statement, scope, stakeholders, and success metrics written
- Data inventory and source plan; file naming convention set
- Excel model plan: tabs, validations, forecast, dashboards
- Risks/assumptions listed with mitigation ideas
- Evidence: 1‑page brief + workbook skeleton started
Standard Rubric (Capstone‑Aligned)
- Technical Accuracy: 50% — correct modeling, formulas, validations
- Strategic Rationale: 20% — alignment to business goals, trade‑offs
- Communication & Clarity: 15% — concise story, visuals, audience fit
- Time Management: 10% — 4–5 minutes, clean transitions
- Q&A Readiness: 5% — confident, concise responses
Workflow Today (45–60 min)
- Plan (15 min): Write problem, scope, metrics, risks
- Skeleton (20 min): Create tabs (Data, Clean, Charts, Forecast, Dashboard)
- Data (10 min): Download dataset for your group (g1–g6) and import to Data tab
- Check (10 min): Quick review with another team for clarity
Group Datasets (g1–g6)
All lessons 08–10 use the same dataset. Download your group's file only:
Submission Checklist
- ✓ 1‑page problem brief with scope, metrics, risks
- ✓ Excel file with tabs created and dataset loaded
- ✓ File names follow convention: Team‑Name_M1_v1.xlsx
Milestone 1 Reflection (CAP)
Reflect on your learning journey and growth in the CAP framework
0/3 Complete
🦁COURAGE
What was the most challenging part of this unit that required you to step outside your comfort zone?
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🌊ADAPTABILITY
How did you adjust your approach when you encountered unexpected problems or feedback?
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⚡PERSISTENCE
Describe a time when you wanted to give up but kept working. What motivated you to continue?
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Progress: 0/3 reflections completed