Math for Business Operations

Applied Accounting with Excel

UNIT04 - Lesson 1

Launch & Explore: Campus Café Challenge

45 minutes
Lesson Overview

Lesson Focus

Entry event with virtual field trip and dataset introduction

Key Unit Objectives

Enduring Understandings:

  • Data-driven decisions provide competitive advantages in business operations
  • Statistical analysis reveals patterns that guide inventory and staffing optimization
  • Forecasting models enable proactive business planning and risk management
  • Outlier identification prevents skewed analysis and faulty business conclusions

Lesson Activities

Activity 1: Virtual Field Trip to Campus Café
15 minutes

Immersive exploration of café operations and challenges

Details:

  • Watch virtual tour of campus café during busy weekend rush
  • Observe real operational challenges: overstock waste, understaffing issues
  • Meet café manager who shares two years of anonymized weekend POS data
  • Students take notes on observed inefficiencies and potential improvements
Real Business Context

This café serves 800+ students on weekends with complex operational challenges

  • Peak hours: 8-10am (breakfast rush) and 1-3pm (lunch rush)
  • Current waste rate: 8-12% on weekends (target: ≤3%)
  • Staffing costs: $2,400/weekend (opportunity for optimization)
  • Key challenge: Balancing customer satisfaction with operational efficiency
Video: Weekend Rush: Inside Campus Café Operations (8 minutes)

Tour the campus café during peak weekend hours. Observe customer flow patterns, inventory challenges, and staffing decisions. The café manager explains how data could help optimize operations.

Activity 2: Dataset Exploration & Team Formation
20 minutes

Examine POS data structure and form analysis teams

Details:

  • Teams receive two years of weekend POS data (anonymized)
  • Initial data exploration: What information is available?
  • Identify data quality issues and cleaning needs
  • Teams choose focus area: beverage mix, pastry inventory, or staffing optimization
POS Data Overview

Real transactional data provides authentic analytical experience

  • 104 weekend days of transaction data (2 years)
  • 15,000+ individual transactions with timestamps
  • 50+ menu items across beverages, pastries, and meals
  • Weather data and special events noted for context
Activity 3: Challenge Framing & Success Criteria
10 minutes

Establish clear objectives and constraints for analysis

Details:

  • Present essential question: How to maximize profits while reducing waste to ≤3%?
  • Discuss business constraints: limited staff, fixed equipment, student preferences
  • Preview success criteria: statistical accuracy, feasible recommendations, professional presentation
  • Teams set specific goals for their chosen focus area
Required Materials
  • Campus café virtual tour video (8 minutes)
  • Two years of weekend POS data (anonymized Excel file)
  • Data exploration worksheets
  • Team formation materials and role definitions
  • Business context briefing documents
Differentiation Strategies

For Struggling Students

  • • Guided Analysis Templates: Step-by-step worksheets for statistical calculations
  • • Simplified Datasets: Smaller, cleaner data samples for initial practice
  • • Visual Learning Supports: Screencasts demonstrating Analysis ToolPak procedures
  • • Peer Mentoring: Partner with students strong in statistical analysis
  • • Alternative Presentations: Poster session format instead of elevator pitch

For Advanced Students

  • • Multiple Regression Models: Explore relationships between multiple variables
  • • Seasonal Trend Analysis: Investigate more complex time-based patterns
  • • Statistical Significance Testing: Apply t-tests and confidence intervals
  • • Advanced Visualization: Create interactive dashboards or animated charts
  • • Consulting Role: Support other teams while completing their own analysis

For English Language Learners

  • • Statistical Vocabulary Support: Bilingual glossary of key terms with examples
  • • Visual Communication Emphasis: Focus on charts and infographics over verbal presentations
  • • Collaborative Team Roles: Pair with native speakers for presentation support
  • • Template-Based Writing: Structured formats for analysis documentation and reflection