Teacher Resources
Data-Driven Café
Given two years of POS data, what inventory and staffing plan will maximize weekend profits without raising waste above 3%?
Duration: 2 weeksDifficulty: Intermediate
Driving Question
Work with real café POS data to create data-driven recommendations for weekend operations optimization.
Given two years of POS data, what inventory and staffing plan will maximize weekend profits without raising waste above 3%?
Performance Task
Present your data-driven recommendations to café management with supporting statistical evidence.
Café Operations Optimization Plan
Create a comprehensive plan using statistical analysis to optimize weekend café operations for maximum profit while maintaining waste below 3%.
- Statistical analysis of POS data with proper outlier treatment
- Linear regression model for demand forecasting
- Professional infographic summarizing recommendations
- 90-second elevator pitch demonstrating business impact
- Feasible inventory and staffing recommendations
Assessment Milestones
Aligned to implemented student lessons
Day 3: Clean Data & Flag Outliers
MilestoneComplete data cleaning process and identify statistical outliers
- Raw CSV data properly cleaned using Excel tools
- Outliers identified using z-score analysis
- Descriptive statistics computed using Analysis ToolPak
- Data quality issues documented and resolved
Day 5: Forecast Automation & Validation (Advanced)
MilestoneEstablish advanced forecast automation with scenario toggles and audit checks
- Forecast built with structured references (Excel Tables) and FORECAST.LINEAR
- Scenario toggle implemented (e.g., Baseline vs PromoAdjusted) updating outputs dynamically
- Audit panel flags resolved: missing keys, negative units, invalid prices, stale dates
- Error handling in place (IFERROR/XLOOKUP defaults) and assumptions documented
Day 10: Deliver Plan & Simulate Next Weekend
MilestonePresent final recommendations and validate with real-world simulation
- 90-second pitch delivered to café management panel
- Infographic poster clearly communicates key findings
- Recommendations tested against weekend simulation data
- Business impact quantified and presented professionally
Lessons (10)
Click a day to open the detailed lesson plan
Day 1
Launch & Explore: Campus Café Challenge
Entry event with virtual field trip and dataset introduction
45 minutes
Day 2
Skill Introduction: Data Cleaning Fundamentals
Master essential data preparation techniques using café POS data
45 minutes
Day 3
Application Practice: Outliers & Descriptive Statistics
Identify outliers and compute key statistics using Analysis ToolPak
45 minutes
Day 4
Excel Charts & Data Visualization: Transforming Data into Business Insights
Create professional Excel charts and interpret visual business patterns
45 minutes
Day 5
Advanced Forecast Automation (Regression)
Deepen Lesson04 with automation, scenario toggles, and validation
45 minutes
Day 6
Examples: Professional Statistical Analysis
Study worked examples of complete statistical analysis projects
45 minutes
Day 7
Exercises: Independent Analysis Completion
Complete comprehensive statistical analysis and develop business recommendations
45 minutes
Day 8
PBL Milestone 1: Project Definition
Define problem, scope, metrics, risks; set up Excel workbook skeleton
45–60 minutes
Day 9
PBL Milestone 2: Prototype + Rehearsal
Build working prototype, validate, rehearse; collect structured peer feedback
60 minutes (+20 min rehearsal & feedback)
Day 10
PBL Milestone 3: Presentations + Peer Review
Deliver final model and story; collect rubric‑aligned peer feedback; reflect
45 minutes
Prerequisite Resources
Files referenced in student lessons