1 - Introduction ~5 mins
Welcome
Today you turn real project numbers into at least two different charts, write a plain-English interpretation under each one, and export a clean named PDF for your portfolio. It is the same idea as showing a boss or a customer, in thirty seconds, which week made money and where costs ate the profit. By the end of the class you should be able to pick chart types that fit your numbers, explain each chart in words anyone can follow, and save a tidy PDF your teacher can check.
Open this first: Open {{code:sm3_ka1_problem_solver.xlsx}} (or your Google Sheet version) from {{code:09_specialism/sm3}}, or any clean project numbers you already have. If you cannot open a file with usable numbers, put your hand up now so your teacher can set you up with something else before the class talk starts.
Warm-up
With your numbers on screen: if a supervisor, examiner, boss, or sponsor only had thirty seconds, which pattern should they see first: a trend over time, a comparison between categories, or a share of a total?
2 - Key Concepts ~6 mins
Today is not just "make two charts". You need charts that fit the data and interpretations a non-technical reader can act on. Think boss or customer, not decoration.
- Right chart for the question — trend or comparison suits a column or line chart; share of a total suits a pie or doughnut
- Two different chart types — variety, not two copies of the same visual
- Four-part write-up under each chart — overall trend, biggest value, smallest value, one decision
- Named PDF export — save {{code:sm3_ka2_charts.pdf}} beside the workbook so your work stays readable off-screen
The four-part pattern (watch your teacher tick these off on a sample chart)
- First, the trend: what is going up, down, or staying steady?
- Then the biggest value: name it and the number
- Then the smallest value: name it and the number
- Last, the decision: one action a reader could take
Model shape: Revenue rises overall across six weeks. The biggest week is week 6 at €330. The smallest is week 3 at €120. Decision: order extra cases for the final market weekend and check what slowed week 3.
VET in this course means the Vocational Education Task pack: a place where strong spreadsheet and chart evidence can be reused later, alongside Work Experience and other LCA work.
In the next activity your teacher builds the first market-stall chart live. You then complete the second chart, both write-ups if needed, and a PDF to the same standard. Your own workbook has to reach that standard with your project data.
3 - Step-by-step Task ~15 mins
Build a worked-example chart workbook for a small market-stall project. Your teacher completes the first chart (column + four-part interpretation) live on the board. You enter or finish the cost data, build the pie chart, write its interpretation, and export a named PDF. That is the quality bar for your own KA2 evidence next.
If the first chart takes longer than expected, that is normal. Nail the column chart and its four-part note first; the pie chart reuses the same pattern.
4 - Common Issues ~4 mins
Common Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| My chart is plotting the wrong columns | Select only the labels and the value column you want. If extra columns are included, delete the chart and select the range again before inserting a new one. |
| Both of my charts are the same type | Your workbook needs two different chart types. Keep one comparison or trend chart (column or line) and pair it with a composition chart (pie or doughnut) or another clearly different type that fits the second question. |
| My interpretation just describes colours or layout | Rewrite it using the four-part pattern: overall trend, biggest value, smallest value, and one decision a reader could act on. |
| The PDF cuts off the chart or looks tiny | Use print preview first. Switch to landscape if the chart is wide, set the print area to the chart and interpretation only, and scale to fit one page. Save as {{code:sm3_ka2_charts.pdf}} (or {{code:sm3_ka2_worked_example.pdf}} for the practice file), not Untitled. |
| I do not know which project data to use / my problem-solver file is missing or messy | Prefer {{code:sm3_ka1_problem_solver}} or any clean project dataset already in {{code:sm3/}}. If that file is missing or messy, ask your teacher for a dual-table fallback on a fresh sheet: Table A with at least four series values (weeks, days, or categories) for a column or line chart, and Table B with at least three category amounts for a pie chart. Three loose cells are not enough — you need two chartable shapes. Ask your teacher to initial the alternate source so you can still finish today. |
5 - Portfolio Build ~20 mins
Portfolio Build: your own chart workbook
- Open data: Open {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm3}} and your problem-solver sheet (or a closely related clean dataset). If that sheet is missing or messy, use a teacher-approved dual-table fallback on a fresh sheet: Table A with at least four series values (for a column or line chart) and Table B with at least three category amounts (for a pie chart). Ask your teacher to initial that source. Three loose numbers alone are not enough for two different chart types.
- Create the workbook: Excel Online: {{code:sm3_ka2_chart_workbook.xlsx}}. Google Sheets: {{code:sm3_ka2_chart_workbook}} (no extension needed).
- Two charts: Build at least two different chart types, each with a clear title that fits the question the data answers (one trend or comparison chart from Table A or equivalent, one composition chart from Table B or equivalent).
- Interpretations: Write a four-part interpretation under each chart (trend, biggest, smallest, one decision).
- Named PDF: Export the charts (one combined file is fine) as {{code:sm3_ka2_charts.pdf}} into the same {{code:sm3}} folder.
- Your written reflection (Priority 2): In the same folder create Word Online {{code:sm3_module3_reflection.docx}} or Google Doc {{code:sm3_module3_reflection}}. Use three headings with starters: What improved most… (name a real spreadsheet skill such as selecting non-adjacent chart ranges, the four-part interpretation, or PDF export); Chart I will reuse… (which chart and why a boss or customer would care); Skill for Work Experience, another LCA course, or the VET pack… (one concrete next use). One or two sentences under each heading is enough.
- Show your teacher: When Priority 1 is ready, show the workbook and {{code:sm3_ka2_charts.pdf}} to be checked. Bring your problem-solver file too if it still needs to be signed off. The reflection can be checked as soon as it is specific.
- {{code:sm3_ka2_chart_workbook}} (Excel .xlsx or Google Sheet) sits in {{code:09_specialism/sm3}} and uses your own project data, or a teacher-initialled dual-table fallback (4+ series values plus 3+ category shares)
- The workbook contains at least two different chart types, each with a clear title and a four-part written interpretation
- {{code:sm3_ka2_charts.pdf}} is saved beside the workbook (not Untitled or a random download name)
- {{code:sm3_module3_reflection}} names a real spreadsheet skill and one real next use (Work Experience log, VET pack, or another LCA subject), not just "charts are useful", and your teacher has had a chance to check both pieces of work
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