By: Kendra Menken and Adraina Verkaik
Data Management is a Grade 12 math class that takes a deeper look at statistics and methods for properly analyzing data, with a requirement that we apply our learning to a specific data set of our choice to achieve a clear end goal or result. For the final independent study project, our goal was to take real data from our family businesses and turn them into something useful—organized spreadsheets that could improve decision making, increase quote approval rates, and simplify client management.
Adriana worked with a batting cage facility, and Kendra with a tree care company. We both had countless data points with uncovered correlations and frequencies; turning that chaos into clean, structured spreadsheets became our objective, with the aim of building tools these businesses could use.
Sample of Adriana’s work.
Once we started analyzing the data, we realized how much potential had been hiding in plain sight. For the batting cage business, Adriana analyzed booking patterns, peak hours, and customer return rates to help predict demand and plan more efficiently as well as to organize scheduling and team calendars. For the tree company, Kendra focused on the factors that lead to quotes being approved. By sorting, filtering, and applying numerous formulas in Excel, we both organized data and uncovered trends that could improve how each business operates.
By the end, our ISU felt less like a school project and more like a contribution to something bigger. We created spreadsheets that our families can reference to make decisions, manage clients, and make growth more intentional and efficient. We were able to see first-hand how simply spreadsheets and data management can contribute to the real world.
“Kendra & Adriana designed incredible spreadsheets for their Data ISU’s; both of their spreadsheets were for real businesses, and I’m amazed at their work. Professional, useful, it’s at a level that is way beyond a Grade 12 Math/Business course.” —Ben Freeman, Teacher
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