Find a Problem

For this assignment you will be identifying a problem or issue that can be sold with the analysis of financial information. The problem should be something that 1) has to do with financial data, 2) is qualitative AND quantitative, and 3) help to make a decision. The problem could be in your personal life, work/career, issue that could possibly come up, or something you would like to solve.

Deliverable: Create a write up of the problem you are looking to solve. Include the context and where it has/will/our could show up. If this is a current issue, what is the current process or solution being used? What are the intended outcomes of finding a solution? Lastly, make sure to include a TAGS section at the bottom that will help people understand if they have a similar issue.

For example: Allocation of IT costs have been an issue plaguing my company for years. The IT department has a variety of different costs that need to be allocated to various properties and corporate offices. There are many different allocations that apply to the different expenses and no centralized system. Currently, a spreadsheet has been created each allocation has to be updated for each cell for each expense, even though there are similar allocations. I intend to find a solution to automate this process to be able to update the allocations from a centralized location and condense the information to be able to run statistics on where expenses are trending.

TAGS: Allocation, Aggregate Information, Updating Excel, Automation

Get a Tool

Identify a tool that will for as the base of your solution. Options include, Advanced excel formula/formulas, VBA, Tableau, Sequel, Power BI, Alteryx, or UiPath. For other software or tool please email me. Research online, practice on your own, and work through the tool to understand it and how it will be useful for your problem. As you are understanding your tool, put together a solution for the problem that you have.

Deliverable: State what tool(s) you are using in your solution. Describe how each tool helps to fix the issue. Include resources that you used to learn more about the tools and what other problems that it could help solve.

Spread the News

Time to show off your new tool and solution and present it to the world! Create a VidGrid or Video (make sure that you can be seen in person for at least part of the video) about the problem, tool, and solution you came up with. Try to make it as engaging as possible as if you would be paid on

commission for anyone that uses this tool in the future!

Short introduction

The Problem

The Solution

That tool and how it works

Other applications of the tool

Video should include:

DO NOT list out steps. Videos should be no longer than 3mins.

Teach the World

Now how would you teach a new employee or friend to use your tool? Come up either a write or tutorial video with at least 3 practice questions and answers. Create data sets or the source documents to be used that will help someone to develop skills in with this new tool. For example, the CrossTab HW had 2 problems with relative datasets to develop skills in index match and SUMIFs.