Unit 5 Data Modelling
Assignment 1
Learning Aim A: Investigate data modelling and how it can be used in the decision-making
process
A1 Stages in the decision-making process
Understanding the scenario
The scenario is the circumstance that requires the use of a data model. There will be issues
with your spreadsheet's usability if you don't understand this. To put it briefly, the scenario
explains the features your spreadsheet must have. Finding out who needs the spreadsheet,
why they need it, and what they want it to represent is the first step in this process. Your
spreadsheet must be able to assist them in understanding the decisions they must make by
showing the possibility of each possible outcome as well as the best one.
example, the spreadsheet would need to be able to look at every option if the decision-
making process was being used to determine the cost of a new product. These include the
,amount and price of the parts, as well as other expenses like rent for the business space or
wages for staff members, and the number of products produced and sold.
To put in context, the scenario is to create a spreadsheet model to calculate a person's
calorie, weight, BMI etc. understanding the scenario is absolute crucial to succeed with
creating the spreadsheet that has the compulsory criteria like I mentioned (BMI, Weight etc).
Identifying information and sources:
As information is necessary for every data model, you must be aware of its source and
reliability at this point in the decision-making process.
The scenario is telling us to develop a spreadsheet model that can forecast the potential
effects of alteration in exercise and diet. So, I need information and sources about this topic
to create a successful data model.
Information Required
When you know what information is needed, you can determine where it will come from.
This is the information needed for the spreadsheet. You must identify all the information
needed for the spreadsheet data model, such as the profit to be made by creating a new
product, or your model won't work.
In the scenario it gives you some information required that will be in the data model, this
makes it easier for me as the developer of the data model. For example, a person's calorie
intake calories burned, weight and BMI is provided for me so i can include this in the data
model.
Information that is already available
, You will already have access to part of the data required for your data model from the
scenario. To find out this information I carefully studied the scenario. For instance, you might
be able to determine how many potential customers there are or how much it will cost to
produce the new product. The scenario should be read a few times to fully understand the
scenario and what requirements you need to fur fill.
From the scenario some information is provided which is useful for me to design the model,
this will then make it easy for me to complete the model, for example the scenario tells us
the spreadsheet will not be for experts, this is useful as we can make the model easy for
them, and designing the model will be straightforward for me.
Additional information needed
A data model may require additional information not provided in the scenario, in this case,
you'll need to determine the source of the information and where it may be located. For
example, The UK Met Office website offers a variety of downloadable data, so if you're
designing a data model that requires weather information for a location in the UK, a quick
search on the web for download UK regional weather will lead you there. The additional
information needed could be what the customers are willing to pay for the product or
advertising. In context, I will need to research more about the topic: exercise, diet on
individuals body mass index.
Sources of additional information
If you need any further information, you need to find the sources for your spreadsheet data
model. If these sources come from the internet, take extra care to note where they are
specifically. Many sources that are based on paper are probably also accessible. Try
searching in the library at the college or facility, or where you study. If you're cautious to ask
the proper questions of the correct people and you receive enough types of answers, you
may be able to gather the additional information you require from primary sources such as
focus groups, questionaries, and interviews that you do yourself. Market research is
frequently done to gather more information about new products.
In this context I will use questionnaires as this suitable for the context because it will
educate me more on the potential effects of alterations in exercise and diet. It will give other
people's opinions and maybe experience.
