Northwind Trading: Root Cause Analysis and Project Recommendation

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📋 Table of Contents

• Project Overview
• Methodologies and Techniques
• Key Findings
• Recommendations and Mitigation Strategy
• Deliverables
• Repository Structure
• Getting Started
• Contributing
• Contact
• Conclusion

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📌 Project Overview

This project was a business analysis exercise focused on identifying and resolving a critical issue at Northwind Trading, an eCommerce company.

Problems addressed:

• Sudden downward sales trend
• Negative social media feedback

The goal: Pinpoint the root cause and provide data-driven recommendations for resolution.

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🛠 Methodologies and Techniques

A comprehensive analysis using:

• Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
  • Examined sales data/transactions and customer complaints
• Root Cause Analysis (5 Whys)
  • Uncovered deeper reasons behind the observed issues
• Stakeholder Analysis
  • Mapped interests and influence of key players (management, marketing, customers)
• RACI Matrix
  • Clarified roles and accountability

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🔑 Key Findings

Root Cause: A conflict of interest during a recent website redesign.

• Marketing Team: Implemented mandatory registration at checkout to collect customer data.
• Customer Experience: Frustration over added friction led to cart abandonment, declining sales, and negative feedback.

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💡 Recommendations and Mitigation Strategy

Immediate Actions:

• Remove mandatory registration at checkout.
• Add optional guest checkout for ease of use.

Strategic Compromise:

• Incentivize registration post-purchase (discounts, loyalty points).
• Satisfy both customer convenience and marketing needs.

Risk Mitigation:

• Identified strategic risks and presented data-driven mitigation plans.

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📦 Deliverables

• Project report detailing root cause analysis and recommendations
• Diagrams: Stakeholder Mapping, RACI Matrix, 5 Whys Process Flow
• Example data analysis scripts (if applicable)
• Presentation slides (if provided)

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🗂 Repository Structure

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├── README.md
├── /docs               # Project documentation
├── /reports            # Analysis and recommendation reports
├── /data               # Sample data (anonymized)
├── /visuals            # Diagrams and slides

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🚀 Getting Started

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/Bheki0987/Northwind-Trading-Root-Cause-Analysis-and-Project-Recommendation.git

2. Explore the /docs and /reports folders for analysis deep-dives.
3. View stakeholder diagrams and process maps in /visuals.

No installation required for viewing files! If analysis scripts or Jupyter notebooks are added, check requirements.txt for dependencies.

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🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Open an issue or submit a pull request to improve documentation, structure, or add new business analysis templates.

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📬 Contact

For questions or business analysis collaborations, reach out via GitHub Issues or email bhekmogola123@gmail.com.

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🏁 Conclusion

This project showcases how a structured business analysis approach—quantitative/qualitative data, stakeholder management, and root cause techniques—drives actionable recommendations, solves business pain points, and supports team alignment.

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