Exploratory Analysis Dashboard for Super Store Corporation
create a dashboard for a given scenario and a data set.
Scenario: Imagine you are an analyst working for the Super Store Corporation. Your boss Shanice is the VP of Sales and she is conducting a review of the company discount policy. As research for her review, she has asked you to perform an exploratory analysis of the Super Store discount data. Specifically, Shanice has asked you to investigate if there is a relationship between discounted sales and profit, and how much the company is profiting or losing based on discounted sales. She also wants to see if there are opportunities for efficiencies with respect to how discounts are handled. Perhaps certain customers are receiving more discounts than other customers. Perhaps certain product categories or product segments are receiving more discounts than others. Shanice has given you wide latitude to explore this question however you see fit and will ultimately make a recommendation to the board of directors based on your findings.
The business question you will answer with the data is Are discounted orders more or less profitable than non-discounted orders?
Next, . Then, explore the Superstore dataset and identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be needed to answer the business question for this project. Write a description of your KPIs, with a brief explanation of why you made that information as key to answering the business question.
For more information about key performance indicators, watch the following video:
Video: (4:55)
Next, create a dashboard consisting of at least 2 KPIs, you identified, that will be used to answer the business question for this project. Your KPIs must apply at least two different principles around around KPIs:
Hierarchies
Actions
Filters
Parameters to guide interactivity (if needed)
Possible KPIs to consider for this project are:
Discounts per customer
Discounts by category
Discounts by segment
Discounts by quantity
Discounts by profit ratio
Finally, you will create the final deliverable dashboard for Shanice to present your analysis to company stakeholders. The story must consist of at least three story points and must explicitly answer the business question(s) in the project brief, specifically: are discounted orders more or less profitable than non-discounted orders?
Exploratory Analysis Dashboard for Super Store Corporation
Introduction
As an analyst at Super Store Corporation, the VP of Sales, Shanice, has tasked you with conducting an exploratory analysis of the company's discount data to determine the relationship between discounted sales and profit. The key business question this analysis aims to answer is: Are discounted orders more or less profitable than non-discounted orders?
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
To address the business question effectively, the following KPIs have been identified along with a brief explanation of their significance:
1. Discounts per Customer: This KPI will help identify if certain customers are receiving more discounts than others, highlighting potential inefficiencies in discount allocation and customer segmentation.
2. Discounts by Category: Analyzing discounts by product category can reveal if specific product categories are consistently offered higher discounts, indicating potential pricing strategies or market demand variations.
3. Discounts by Segment: Understanding how discounts are distributed across different market segments can provide insights into customer preferences and the effectiveness of targeted marketing strategies.
4. Discounts by Quantity: Examining discounts based on order quantity can reveal if bulk purchases are being incentivized through discounts, impacting overall profitability.
5. Discounts by Profit Ratio: Calculating the profit ratio for discounted orders compared to non-discounted orders can directly address the business question by determining which type of orders are more profitable.
Dashboard Design
Story Points:
1. Overview of Discount Analysis: Provides a summary of total discounts given, average discounts per order, and overall profit distribution between discounted and non-discounted orders.
2. Customer and Category Insights: Explores discounts per customer and by category, highlighting top customers receiving discounts and categories with the highest discount rates.
3. Profitability Analysis: Compares profit ratios between discounted and non-discounted orders, showcasing the impact of discounts on overall profitability.
Dashboard Components:
- Hierarchies: Users can drill down from an overview of discounts to detailed insights on customers and product categories.
- Actions: Interactive elements allow users to filter data based on specific customer segments or product categories for more targeted analysis.
- Filters: Users can adjust parameters to compare different time frames or regions for a comprehensive view of discount trends.
By leveraging these KPIs and interactive dashboard features, Shanice will be equipped to present a comprehensive analysis to company stakeholders, addressing the key business question on the profitability of discounted versus non-discounted orders. This dashboard will facilitate data-driven decision-making and provide valuable insights for optimizing the company's discount policy.