Excel best practices for the development of models of decision making and knowledge generation in logistics

Abstract

This study pretends to help Industrial Engineering to build analysis tools and simulation of scenarios to learn by programming spreadsheets for projects when using Microsoft Excel program (2013). In particular, it will serve for those who registered “Logistics of the Value Chain I”. Thus, they learned to determine basic and essential knowledge
to handle, and later to be useful in other disciplines. Then, when a student design a business project model This tool will allow him to study all components from the program and use a simulator that lets to simulate/analyze logistic variables such as: forecast of the demand, material requirements, replenishment models, distribution resource planning (or DRP), determination of purchase plans, calculation of operating expenses, investment calculations, estimation of a profit and loss statement that permits to the project a net present value (NPV), among others.
The Microsoft Excel project program simulates scenarios and, at the same time, perform sensitivity analyzes that indicates differences between the design options of the business model, draw conclusions and provide recommendations. Based
on this particular application, a student will become familiar with the use of Microsoft Excel and other tools that must be programmed throughout the career, to generate knowledge. This study is based on six semesters work in the course.