This specialization equips learners to build, solve, and interpret sophisticated optimization and simulation models using Excel. Through hands-on application of Excel Solver and a wide variety of formulas, students tackle real-world business challenges, from resource allocation and network optimization to nonlinear objectives and competing goals. By the end of the course, you will be prepared to leverage data-driven models to drive high-impact business decisions across any industry.
Applied Learning Project
Through multi-part assignments, you will design structured spreadsheets in Excel to model complex business scenarios, over time, with finite resources, and model customer demands, while meeting financial goals, through linear and non-linear programming optimization problems. Students will use Excel's built in graphing tools, one and two way tables, mathematical functions and logic, as well as Excel's Solver to then find the optimal solution to these models, which include scenarios such as minimizing costs, maximizing profits, maximizing customers reached, or other authentic business challenges. You will then learn to communicate these data driven optimal solutions.
