Services Transport, Operations and Logistics

Elementary Modelling Techniques for Business Training

SAQA US 244247 | NQF 6 | Credits 15 | Duration 12 Days
From $2,214 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the ability to apply elementary modelling techniques to represent and solve business problems. Participants will learn to construct basic models using tools such as spreadsheets and diagrams, enabling them to analyze data, forecast outcomes, and support decision-making in a business context.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply elementary modelling techniques to represent business scenarios.
  • Analyze data using basic statistical and graphical models.
  • Evaluate the appropriateness of different modelling approaches for given problems.
  • Construct simple spreadsheet models to support business decisions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret model outputs and draw conclusions.
  • Implement basic modelling techniques to improve business process efficiency.

Target Audience

This course is designed for entry-level professionals, administrative staff, and junior managers who need to apply modelling techniques to improve business processes and reporting.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Business Modelling

Objectives:
• Understand what a business model is and its role in decision-making.
• Identify different types of business models and their applications.
• Recognise the key components of a business model.
• Explain the importance of modelling in business contexts.

Topics:
• Definition and purpose of business modelling
• Overview of business model types (e.g., revenue, cost, process)
• Key components: inputs, outputs, assumptions, variables
• Role of modelling in strategic planning and operations
• Case studies of simple business models

Day 2: Basic Mathematical Concepts for Modelling

Objectives:
• Apply basic arithmetic and algebra to business problems.
• Use percentages, ratios, and proportions in modelling.
• Understand linear relationships and their graphical representation.
• Perform simple break-even analysis.

Topics:
• Review of arithmetic and algebraic fundamentals
• Percentages, ratios, and proportions in business
• Linear equations and graphs
• Break-even analysis: cost-volume-profit relationships
• Practical exercises on break-even calculations

Day 3: Data Collection and Preparation

Objectives:
• Identify sources of data for business models.
• Collect and organise data systematically.
• Clean and prepare data for analysis.
• Understand data quality and its impact on models.

Topics:
• Primary vs secondary data sources
• Data collection methods: surveys, databases, reports
• Data organisation using spreadsheets
• Data cleaning techniques: handling missing values, outliers
• Ensuring data accuracy and reliability

Day 4: Spreadsheet Modelling Fundamentals

Objectives:
• Use spreadsheet software to build simple business models.
• Create formulas and functions for calculations.
• Design clear and structured model layouts.
• Apply cell referencing and basic auditing.

Topics:
• Introduction to spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel)
• Basic formulas: SUM, AVERAGE, IF
• Absolute vs relative cell references
• Model layout: inputs, calculations, outputs
• Auditing tools: trace precedents, error checking

Day 5: Financial Modelling Basics

Objectives:
• Build a simple income statement model.
• Forecast revenue and costs using assumptions.
• Calculate profit and loss scenarios.
• Understand sensitivity analysis.

Topics:
• Structure of a financial model
• Revenue forecasting methods
• Cost behaviour: fixed vs variable costs
• Building a profit and loss statement
• Introduction to sensitivity analysis (one-way data tables)

Day 6: Scenario and What-If Analysis

Objectives:
• Create multiple scenarios to test business assumptions.
• Use what-if analysis tools in spreadsheets.
• Interpret scenario results for decision-making.
• Understand the limitations of scenario modelling.

Topics:
• Scenario manager in spreadsheets
• Goal seek and data tables for what-if analysis
• Best-case, worst-case, and base-case scenarios
• Interpreting and presenting scenario results
• Limitations and risks of scenario modelling

Day 7: Modelling Business Processes

Objectives:
• Map business processes using flowcharts.
• Identify key metrics for process performance.
• Build a simple process simulation model.
• Analyse process bottlenecks and efficiency.

Topics:
• Process mapping tools and symbols
• Key performance indicators (KPIs) for processes
• Building a process flow model in spreadsheets
• Simulating process changes
• Identifying and addressing bottlenecks

Day 8: Introduction to Forecasting Techniques

Objectives:
• Apply time-series forecasting methods.
• Use moving averages and trend lines.
• Evaluate forecast accuracy.
• Understand the role of forecasting in business planning.

Topics:
• Time-series data and patterns
• Moving averages (simple and weighted)
• Linear trend extrapolation
• Forecast error metrics: MAE, RMSE
• Limitations of forecasting

Day 9: Decision Models and Optimisation

Objectives:
• Build decision trees for business choices.
• Apply basic optimisation techniques.
• Use Solver for linear programming problems.
• Interpret optimisation results.

Topics:
• Decision trees: structure and expected value
• Introduction to linear programming
• Using Solver in spreadsheets
• Resource allocation and profit maximisation
• Interpreting sensitivity reports

Day 10: Model Validation and Sensitivity Analysis

Objectives:
• Validate model assumptions and outputs.
• Conduct comprehensive sensitivity analysis.
• Identify key drivers and risk factors.
• Document model assumptions and limitations.

Topics:
• Model validation techniques: back-testing, cross-validation
• Advanced sensitivity analysis (two-way data tables, tornado charts)
• Identifying key drivers using scatter plots
• Documentation best practices
• Common modelling errors and how to avoid them

Day 11: Communicating Model Results

Objectives:
• Create clear and effective data visualisations.
• Present model findings to stakeholders.
• Write concise model documentation.
• Use dashboards for real-time monitoring.

Topics:
• Data visualisation principles (charts, graphs)
• Building dashboards in spreadsheets
• Structuring a model report
• Presenting assumptions and limitations
• Tailoring communication to audience

Day 12: Integrated Modelling Project and Review

Objectives:
• Apply all course skills to a comprehensive business case.
• Build a complete model from scratch.
• Present and defend model results.
• Review key learnings and next steps.

Topics:
• Integrated business case project
• Model design and construction
• Testing and validation
• Presentation and peer feedback
• Course summary and further resources

Practicals

36 hours of practicals To be conducted online or on-campus or in-house
Overview

Practicals are essential for learners to gain hands-on experience in building and analysing business models using spreadsheet software. These sessions reinforce theoretical concepts through guided exercises and a final integrated project.

Practical Activities
  • Spreadsheet Modelling Basics — Learners build simple financial models, apply formulas, and use cell referencing in a spreadsheet. (8h)
  • Scenario and Sensitivity Analysis — Learners perform what-if analysis using scenario manager, goal seek, and data tables on a given business case. (8h)
  • Process Simulation and Forecasting — Learners simulate a business process and apply forecasting techniques using real-world data. (8h)
  • Integrated Modelling Project — Learners complete a comprehensive business modelling project from data collection to presentation. (12h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored) 100% 30%
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 50%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Practicals 30% + Daily Average 20% + Final Test 50%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
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Mon 07 Sep 2026 Tue 22 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $2,214 Register
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Tue 18 Jan 2028 Wed 02 Feb 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $2,214 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 497 sessions across 26 venues
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Tue 04 Aug 2026 Wed 19 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $7,641 Register
Wed 05 Aug 2026 Thu 20 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $3,321 Register
Wed 05 Aug 2026 Thu 20 Aug 2026 Lagos, Nigeria Winter 2026 $6,885 Register
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Fri 07 Aug 2026 Mon 24 Aug 2026 Mauritius Winter 2026 $6,237 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Tue 15 Sep 2026 Wed 30 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,878 Register
Mon 05 Oct 2026 Tue 20 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,878 Register
Fri 30 Oct 2026 Mon 16 Nov 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $2,878 Register
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Mon 15 Mar 2027 Tue 30 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,878 Register
Fri 26 Mar 2027 Mon 12 Apr 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $2,878 Register
Thu 17 Jun 2027 Fri 02 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,878 Register
Wed 07 Jul 2027 Thu 22 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,878 Register
Tue 27 Jul 2027 Wed 11 Aug 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $2,878 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Tue 28 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,878 Register
Fri 08 Oct 2027 Mon 25 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,878 Register
Thu 28 Oct 2027 Fri 12 Nov 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $2,878 Register
Fri 17 Dec 2027 Mon 03 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,878 Register
Thu 06 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,878 Register
Wed 26 Jan 2028 Thu 10 Feb 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $2,878 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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