Scenario

Fresh Air is a national independent air conditioning system manufacturer and installer. They
have over forty years experience of manufacturing, sales and installation for trade customers
around the world. They manufacture and supply for large-scale projects, such as new University
campus buildings like the Student Life Building currently in development on the Middlesbrough
campus.

Fresh Air pride themselves on being an environmentally friendly company, sourcing their power
from ethical green suppliers, and incorporating sustainable solutions where possible in their new
installations. They send an experienced engineer to work with architects during the planning
and design phases of a new build, and ensure regular visits to a developing building before they
start their own installation. This ensures they are aware of any changes potentially affecting
their product. Materials they use are ethically sourced and recyclable where possible but this
does increase the cost of products by around 20% when compared to competitors.

They undertake regular careful market analysis, identifying exciting future trends and making
sure they keep abreast of competitor developments. Being the first to provide market leading
service and products helps to offset the additional costs relating to ethical and environmental
choices. It’s one of the unique selling points for the company and attracts businesses who are
keen to have the latest technology installed in their new build. Ultimately, their installations can
save companies around 30% in their heating and cooling bills over a long-term period (5 years
or more).

Fresh Air employ over 100 staff in a variety of roles, including management, market research,
sales, design, manufacturing, testing, installation, IT services and customer aftercare.

Finances

Fresh Air ask trade customers to pay a 20% deposit when an order is placed. Once
manufacturing of bespoke parts is due to begin (usually within one month) the customer is billed
a further 30%. This covers the cost of administration and early manufacturing. The final invoice
is sent electronically to customers within 24 hours of installation and testing, with a request to
pay the full balance within one week.

Management & Staffing

Fresh Air have recently restructured their staffing, and have developed the following jobs with
responsibility for a variety of new systems:

 IT Services Manager – looking after IT services, which include:

o Purchase and licensing of proprietary software for the workshop floor.
o Working with a third-party provider on hardware and software provision (the
contract for this is outsourced).
 o Managing the company website for customer orders and deposits, technical
detail and progress of build, booking system for installation inspection
(aftersales & customer service).
o Implementing an email solution (could be outsourced – the choice is left to the
IT Services Manager).
o Implementing a desktop solution for all staff (managed in-house). This will
include a helpdesk system using the ITIL framework to ensure IT related issues
are fully documented and tracked using a ticketing system.
o Implementing a sign in/sign out system which can show when staff are on the
premises. This will be linked to a fire evacuation system to ensure in the case of
a fire incident all staff are safely out of the building.
o Implementing an annual leave/sickness system for staff.
o Implementing a staff training system for IT related services and systems.
o Responsible for 2 full-time technical staff.

 Sales Manager – looking after sales and marketing:

o Responsible for 3 full time sales staff, who will receive 1.5% commission on
every system they sell. This commission is paid within 48 hours of the final
installation.
o Responsible for managing a budget around sales marketing information, which
will be set at £80,000 per annum.
o Supplies information to be displayed on the website and social media platforms.
o Identifies new customers.
o Tracks payment status for each development.
o Responsible for chasing late payment.

 Installation Manager – working with customers and other tradesmen to track progress
of developments and adjust to any build changes:
o Conducts the initial survey of work.
o Responsible for 12 installation-approved staff.
o Manages an installation calendar to ensure no quiet days or clashes.
o Tracks development of new projects to plan for the best time to start
manufacturing and installation.
o Keeps and updates technical documentation relating to each build.
o Works with architects and other tradesmen to design and specify a suitable
system for installation.
o Arranges on-site training for their staff.
o Responsible for full testing and sign-off for every installation.

 General Manager – has overall responsibility for the running of the company:
 o Manages everyone else and ensures department managers meet their own
targets.
o Conducts staff performance reviews (department managers).
o Looks after overall budgeting.
o Responsible for ensuring full compliance (including for health and safety).
o Implements general policies and processes (e.g. disciplinary).
o Works with department managers to set annual targets and adjust business
aims.

Requirements

Using the scenario detail above, you need to create the following items for your assessment:

1.A Project Plan which incorporates all of your analysis of the case study, and includes
(but does not need to be limited to):

a. A list of key business strategies that you can ascertain from the scenario, with the
resulting business aims and objectives [5 marks]
b. Any assumptions you have made from the information in the scenario, a table of
contents, any references used, a Bibliography and glossary of technical terms, if
applicable. [5 marks]
c. A list of metrics and KPIs required for each job described above, with an
associated discussion which clearly justifies your selections. These metrics/KPIs
would be used in a dashboard. [10 marks]
d. A brief discussion of what ethical considerations you need to make when
designing a dashboard to be used in this scenario. [5 marks]

Total = 25 marks (1500 words maximum)

2.You need to create a dashboard for one of the jobs listed in the scenario – it is your
choice as to which one you decide to create. You need to ensure it is suitable for the
target audience so that the metrics/KPIs included are appropriate for the
person/people using the dashboard.

You are required to use Microsoft Excel (or equivalent) to produce the dashboard. If
you use alternative software you MUST ensure you save the dashboard so it is
readable in the version of Excel currently being used onsite at the University, and
check that all the functionality still works.

a. Include a brief explanation of why you have chosen that particular job and
related dashboard design (<400 words). [5 marks]
b. Functionality: Your dashboard needs to allow the user the chance to measure
progress, check status and forecast. It should include a visual representation of
performance measures specific to the user’s job, the ability to identify and
 correct negative trends, and the ability to measure efficiencies/inefficiencies. [25
marks]
c. Design & Layout: It needs to be neat, attractive, professionally laid out and
ideally offer an instant visual representation (snapshot) of everything you want
the user to see. It should be fit for use without requiring further editing to gain
the best marks. [20 marks]

Total = 50 marks

3.An analysis of the final outcome which answers the following questions (this is not an
exhaustive list; you may include further relevant points):
a. Is the dashboard fit for purpose? Why? In what ways?
b. Is there anything you would have done differently? Why? How?
c. How do the chosen metrics/KPIs assist their user in their job? Did you select
appropriate metrics?
d. What have you learned from this assessment that you could apply to a future
job?
25 marks (800 words maximum)

TOTAL = 100 marks