Company North-East-West-South (NEWS)

NEWS is struggling in the ultra-competitive high-tech market. They have called upon you and your
to make some key business decisions using the methods and tools recently learned throughout M

Save this file for each homework assignment as follows: Last Name_First Name_Homework #.xls For e

2-1 Excel Homework I: Scatterplots

This homework assignment will help you begin to familiarize yourself with the Excel software, creating gra
Create a scatterplot from a given set of data and then create a regression fitted line and determine the cor
Provide a practical interpretation of the results.

3-2 Excel Homework II: Descriptive Statistics

This homework assignment will continue to familiarize you with the Excel software, creating graphs, and u
In this assignment, you will create a histogram plot from a given set of data and then determine the mean,
Provide a practical interpretation of the results.

6-2 Excel Homework III: Amortization Table

This homework assignment will continue to familiarize you with the Excel software.
In this assignment, you will create an amortization table based on a given principal, interest rate, and paym
Analyze alternative criteria to determine the optimal conditions.

7-2 Excel Homework IV: Probability

This homework assignment will continue to familiarize you with the Excel software.
In this assignment, you will analyze a given business problem based on probability.
Provide a practical interpretation of the results.
NEWS understands the issues that they must overcome in terms of quality, speed, and controlling
NEWS believes that the analysis that your team provided in the last three Excel assignments has l
The NEWS BOD would like to understand the probability of this success before granting permissio

Data has been gathered on the last 50 process improvement program (PIP) projects that the NEWS
The BLUE columns describe whether the PIP was initially approved as a quality, speed, or cost co
The GREEN columns describe the quality, speed, and $ results from each project. Regardless of h

The RED column describes the BOD final determination of whether the PIP was successful or not;

Quality
Speed
(Defective Project Cost
PIP Quality Speed Costs (Reduction Results
Free out of over 5 Years
in Days)
1000)
1 - 1 - 849 18 $ 18,786.00 1
2 1 1 1 969 25 $ (99,911.00) 1
3 1 - - 375 14 $ (127,462.00) 1
4 - 1 - 54 25 $ 180,987.00 -
5 1 1 1 231 19 $ 141,891.00 -
6 - 1 1 294 4 $ (337,779.00) 1
7 - 1 1 113 18 $ 359,480.00 -
8 - 1 1 815 25 $ (105,450.00) 1
9 1 - - 75 8 $ (358,460.00) 1
10 1 - 1 574 16 $ 204,531.00 -
11 1 - 1 581 4 $ (423,775.00) 1
12 1 - 1 476 13 $ 27,067.00 -
13 1 1 1 913 15 $ 183,020.00 1
14 - 1 - 901 18 $ (189,459.00) 1
15 - 1 - 461 16 $ (440,744.00) 1
16 - - 1 907 16 $ (121,543.00) 1
17 1 1 1 113 7 $ 279,995.00 -
18 1 1 - 836 14 $ 119,375.00 1
19 - 1 1 117 11 $ 258,624.00 -
20 1 1 - 140 2 $ 490,621.00 -
21 1 - - 486 12 $ (29,548.00) -
22 1 1 - 693 21 $ 429,546.00 -
23 - 1 1 797 6 $ 321,394.00 -
24 1 - 1 640 1 $ 338,079.00 -
25 1 - 1 809 14 $ 127,488.00 1
26 1 - - 395 18 $ (452,635.00) 1
 27 - 1 - 67 11 $ (153,762.00) -
28 1 1 - 318 1 $ (87,959.00) -
29 1 - - 892 22 $ 114,534.00 1
30 - 1 1 241 25 $ (155,861.00) -
31 - 1 1 672 12 $ (365,375.00) 1
32 - - 1 367 1 $ (47,545.00) -
33 1 1 1 441 19 $ (54,337.00) -
34 1 1 - 312 11 $ (25,565.00) -
35 - 1 - 741 7 $ 218,901.00 1
36 1 - - 152 15 $ (174,572.00) -
37 1 - - 421 14 $ 364,862.00 -
38 - 1 1 664 18 $ (285,424.00) 1
39 1 - - 394 17 $ 11,445.00 -
40 - 1 1 342 15 $ 381,951.00 -
41 1 - 1 495 6 $ (364,384.00) 1
42 - 1 1 138 10 $ 126,225.00 -
43 - - 1 497 13 $ 314,030.00 -
44 1 - - 600 8 $ (204,767.00) 1
45 1 - - 70 9 $ (360,997.00) 1
46 1 1 - 328 17 $ 312,224.00 -
47 1 - - 738 11 $ 395,810.00 -
48 - 1 1 282 17 $ (437,307.00) 1
49 - - 1 905 7 $ 376,547.00 -
50 1 1 - 220 5 $ (183,168.00) 1

Question 1: Using the data from Task 1. The BOD would like to know the percentage of PIP projec
that began as an effort to overcome quality, speed, and cost issues. Also, briefly discuss the PIP s
failure Results.
Answer: Acording to this data, 58% of the projects were attributed to quality with success rate of 26%, an
 Answer: Acording to this data, 58% of the projects were attributed to quality with success rate of 26%, an

Question 2: Using the data given below, complete Task 2. NEWS is very proud of their PIP initiativ
concerned about this next process improvement project decision. It is truly a make or break initia
criteria change the rate of success of past PIP initiatives? Given this probability of success, what
Answer: It appears the success criteria is 46% which is close to 50% but not over 50% as briefed in the p
The old success criteria has been kept confidential however it appears the new success criteria outlined
the criteria is definitely more conservative as BOD wanted it to be and this will make the the PIP projects
 speed, and controlling costs.
xcel assignments has led to successful strategic plans.
fore granting permission for the CEO to execute the plan.

projects that the NEWS BOD had approved.

ality, speed, or cost control project, or combination. (1 = Yes)
roject. Regardless of how the PIP was initially chosen, the positive or negative results were gathered in term

was successful or not; old BOD criteria were confidential. (1 = Yes)

Task 1A: Calculate Count (1-3)

Step 1: Use the =COUNTIF function in the hightlighted Count colunm below to determine the n
Step 2: Enter the following cell ranges for Quality (B13:B62), Speed (C13:C62), and Costs (D13
Step 3: Use a Criteria of "1"
Step 4: Ranges and Criteria must be entered correctly for the function to work. Please refer to

Task 1B: Calculate Count (4-7)

Step 5: Use the =COUNTIFS function in the hightlighted Count colunm below to determine the
Step 6: Depending on the combinations you are solving for, use the following cell ranges for Q

Step 7: Use a Criteria of "1"

Step 8: Ranges and Criteria must be entered correctly for the function to work. Please refer to

Task 1C: Calculate PIP Percentage

Step 9: Use the PIP Percentage colunm to divide each value you generated for the Count colun

Task 1D: Calculate PIP Success

Step 10: Use the =COUNTIFS function within the PIP Success colunm to determine the number
Step 11: Depending on the combinations you are solving for, use the following cell ranges for

Step 12: Then, divide the =COUNTIFS function by 50.

Projects Count PIP Percentage

Quality (1) 29 58%
 Speed (2) 29 58%
Costs (3) 26 52%
Quality & Speed (4) 12 24%
Quality & Costs (5) 11 22%
Speed & Costs (6) 16 32%
Quality, Speed, Costs (7) 5 10%

Task 2: Calculate PIP Success (Old)

Step 1: Use the =COUNTIF function in the highlighted cell below to determine the number of "1
Step 2: Enter the following cell ranges for Results (H13:H62).
Step 3: Use a Criteria of "1"
Step 4: Divide by 50.
Step 5: Ranges and Criteria must be entered correctly for the function to work. Please refer to

PIP Success (OLD) = 46%

Task 3: Calculate Basic Probability Using new BOD Success Criteria

Success Criteria
Quality > 300 Defective Free per 1000
Speed > 15 Days Reduced
Costs < $ 200,000 per 5 Years

STEP 1: Use the =COUNTIFS to determine the probability of PIP success.

Step 2: Enter the following cell ranges for Quality (Defective Free out of 1000) (E13:E62), Speed
Step 3: Use the table above to enter the appropiate Criteria for each project.
Step 4: Then, divide the entire =COUNTIFS function by 50.
Step 5: Ranges and Criteria must be entered correctly for the function to work. Please refer to

PIP Success (NEW) = 22%

rcentage of PIP projects completed per each category, since their short-term memory has hindered their abi
riefly discuss the PIP success rate attributable to each type of PIP effort based on the BOD's confidential crit

success rate of 26%, another 58% to speed with success rate of 26%, 52% towards cost with success rate of 22%.
 success rate of 26%, another 58% to speed with success rate of 26%, 52% towards cost with success rate of 22%.

oud of their PIP initiative and has briefed the press that their success rate is greater than 50%. Is this true? E
a make or break initiative for the company, and therefore a more conservative set of success criteria has be
bility of success, what recommendation would you make to the BOD?
er 50% as briefed in the press conference.
success criteria outlined will certainly change the rate of success of past PIP initiatives. The PIP success rate id com
make the the PIP projects to be more challenging in order for them to meet this new success criteria.
ve results were gathered in terms of quality, speed and $ at the end of the project.

olunm below to determine the number of projects 1-3.

peed (C13:C62), and Costs (D13:D62).

unction to work. Please refer to the COUNTIF Functions Guide Tab for help on the correct format that should

colunm below to determine the number of projects 4-7.

e the following cell ranges for Quality (B13:B62), Speed (C13:C62), or Costs (D13:D62).

unction to work. Please refer to the COUNTIF Functions Guide Tab for help on the correct format that should

ou generated for the Count colunm by 50 to determine % of each.

colunm to determine the number of project(s) that the NEWS BOD found successful.
se the following cell ranges for Quality (B13:B62), Speed (C13:C62), or Costs (D13:D62), as well as, Results (

PIP Success
26%
 26%
22%
8%
10%
14%
4%

w to determine the number of "1s" in the Results colunm.

unction to work. Please refer to the COUNTIF Functions Guide Tab for help on the correct format that should

Criteria

P success.
ee out of 1000) (E13:E62), Speed (Reduction in Days) (F13:F62), and Projects Cost over 5 Years (G13:G62).
each project.

unction to work. Please refer to the COUNTIF Functions Guide Tab for help on the correct format that should

m memory has hindered their ability to remember the percentage

ed on the BOD's confidential criteria shown only as success or

ds cost with success rate of 22%.

ds cost with success rate of 22%.

greater than 50%. Is this true? Explain. The BOD is very

ve set of success criteria has been provided. Does the new

ives. The PIP success rate id coming down to 22% so

success criteria.
ect format that should be used.

ect format that should be used.

, as well as, Results (H13:H62).

ect format that should be used.

5 Years (G13:G62).

ect format that should be used.

COUNTIF
Purpose This function will return count cells that meet a single criteria.
Syntax =COUNTIF(range, criteria)

Quality Speed Costs

1 - 1
- 1 1
- 1 -
1 1 -
- - -
- 1 1
1 1 1
1 - -
- 1 -
1 1 1

COUNTIFS
Purpose This function will return the count cells that meet one or more criteria
Syntax =COUNTIFS(range1, criteria1, range2, criteria2,…)

Quality Speed COSTS

1 - 1
- 1 1
- 1 -
1 1 -
- - -
- 1 1
1 1 1
1 - -
- 1 -
1 1 1

Quality Speed Project

(Defective Free (Reduction Cost over
Out of 1000) in Days 5 years
901 10 $ 140,000.00
920 5 $ 28,000.00
75 22 $ 275,000.00
350 16 $ 55,000.00
250 18 $ 95,000.00
180 3 $ 110,000.00
430 11 $ 250,000.00
640 20 $ 190,000.00
115 11 $ 101,000.00
746 17 $ 72,000.00
urn count cells that meet a single criteria.

Examples Range Criteria COUNT

Count of Quality B8:B17 "1" 5
Count of Speed C8:C17 "1" 7

Although columns B, C, and D are adjacent to one another, the COUNTIF function
only performs a COUNT on the range in a single column.

urn the count cells that meet one or more criteria

1, criteria1, range2, criteria2,…)

Examples Range1 Criteria1 Range2

Count of Quality and Speed B25:B34 "1" C25:C34
Count of Quality, Speed, and Costs B25:B34 "1" C25:C34

The COUNTIFS function uses one-to-many range and criteria sets. In this example, two range and criteria sets were used.

Examples Range1 Criteria1 Range2

Count the number of projects that cost less than $100,000 over 5 years D39:D48 "<100000"
Count the number of projects where Quality > 200 Defective Free per 1000, B39:B48 ">200" C39:C48
Speed > 12, Days Reduced, and Costs > $100,000 per 5 years.

The COUNTIFS function uses one-to-many range and criteria sets. In this example, three range and criteria sets were used.
 Function
=COUNTIF(B8:B17, "1")
=COUNTIF(C8:C17, "1")

Criteria2 Range3 Criteria3 COUNT Function

"1" 3 =COUNTIFS(B25:B34, "1", C25:C34, "1")
"1" D25:D34 "1" 2 =COUNTIFS(B25:B34, "1", C25:C34, "1", D25:D34, "1")

eria sets were used.

Criteria2 Range3 Criteria3 COUNT Function

4 '=COUNTIFS(D39:D48, "<100000")
">12" E25:E34 ">100000" 1 '=COUNTIFS(B39:B48, ">200", C39:C48, ">12", D39:D48, ">100000")

iteria sets were used.

D48, ">100000")