Spreadsheet-based
DSS Project Overview
The Spreadsheet-based DSS Project (125 points) is an
opportunity for students to work together on a team with other students to
apply their DSS design and development skills using Excel on a small-scale DSS.
During the semester students will work on a voluntary team to develop a
model-driven, spreadsheet-based DSS to assist in project cost estimating and
bidding.
Teams should pick an industry minicase
situations and then research, plan and develop a specific DSS for that
situation. The situation must involve developing a DSS for estimating the cost
of a project and preparing a competitive bid to submit to the person requesting
the project proposal. The specific DSS should support a person working as a
cost estimator or bid specialist or similar job title. In general, cost
estimators "develop the cost information that business owners or managers
need to make a bid for a contract or to determine if a proposed new product
will be profitable." The situation
should be complex and important enough to justify the expense of building a
DSS.
Possible industry minicase situations
Construction cost estimating. The spreadsheet-based DSS
should assist in preparing a bid for construction of a new, single family
residence, construction of an office or commercial building or other
significant construction domain.
Convention and meeting cost estimating. The spreadsheet-based DSS
should assist in preparing a bid for hosting a convention in a mid-sized
convention center, or for hosting a meeting in a hotel resort convention
facility, or for hosting a major event on a university campus.
Custom manufacturing cost estimating. The spreadsheet-based DSS
should assist in preparing a bid for a custom machined part or a custom
product.
Software project cost estimating. The spreadsheet-based DSS
should assist in preparing a bid in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP)
for developing an application program or a Web site from a variety of
organizations.
In these industry situations "estimators
compile and analyze data on all the factors that can influence costs—such as
materials, labor, location, and special requirements, including computer
hardware and software."
The specific model-driven DSS that is developed should
help an estimator input data, apply a detailed quantitative estimating model,
conduct sensitivity and "what if" analyses, and prepare a formal bid
proposal.
Last updated by D. Power on