You must decide quickly $($within $60$ minutes$)$ whether the project described above merits fur$-$

ther consideration. A highly simplified, back$-$of$-$the$-$envelope$-$style prototype model to estimate

of the value of the opportunity should be sufficient to answer this question.

$1.$ Start by skimming the case. Do not focus on the numbers; rather, focus your attention on

the relationships between inputs and outputs.

$2.$ Using a large piece of paper or a whiteboard, sketch a series of influence diagrams until

you are satisfied you have captured the essentials of the problem.

$3.$ Build a prototype spreadsheet model based on your influence diagram.

$4.$ Based solely on your first prototype, decide if the project merits further consideration.

$5.$ List the features you would add to your first prototype if you had more time to work on

the problem, ranked from most important to least important.