KNOWLEDGE

AND SKILLS
DEVELOPED
Participants will demonstrate
BUSINESS OPERATIONS knowledge and skills needed

RESEARCH EVENTS
to address the components of
the project as described in the
content outline and evaluation
BUSINESS SERVICES OPERATIONS RESEARCH BOR
Sponsored by Piper Sandler forms.
BUYING AND MERCHANDISING OPERATIONS RESEARCH BMOR Participants will also develop
Sponsored by Piper Sandler
many 21st Century Skills, in the
FINANCE OPERATIONS RESEARCH FOR following categories, desired
Sponsored by Piper Sandler
by today’s employers:
HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM OPERATIONS RESEARCH HTOR
Sponsored by The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation • Communication and
SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING OPERATIONS RESEARCH SEOR Collaboration
Sponsored by Piper Sandler
• Creativity and Innovation

The Business Operations Research Events provide an opportunity for participants to demonstrate • Critical Thinking and
knowledge and skills needed by management personnel through the preparation of a detailed written Problem Solving
strategic plan and presentation based on the results of a research study. • Flexibility and Adaptability
Participants in the Business Operations Research Events will: • Information Literacy
• select an actual local business operation
• Initiative and Self-direction
• design a research study
• conduct a research study • Leadership and
• analyze the results of the research study Responsibility
• prepare a strategic plan
• Media Literacy
• prepare a proposed budget
• present in a role-play situation • Productivity and
- the design of the research study Accountability
- the findings and conclusions of the research study • Social and Cross-cultural
- the proposed strategic plan Skills
- the proposed budget to enact the suggested strategies
Many Common Core Standards
The guidelines for each of the Business Operations Research Events are consolidated to facilitate for Mathematics and English
coordination of participant activities in each of the career categories. This means the guidelines will be Language Arts & Literacy are
exactly the same for each career category. However, each career category will be treated separately as a supported by participation in
competitive event. DECA’s competitive events.

CAREER CLUSTERS + DEFINITIONS

The following definitions are used to determine the activities or careers that are included in each of the
Business Operations Research Events. These career categories are connected to career clusters.

Business Services: Providing services to businesses on a fee or contract basis or providing services to
consumers. Examples may include: human resources companies, information technology companies,
legal services firms, training and development organizations, health care service providers, libraries,
construction companies, real estate firms, landscaping companies, beauty salons, car washes, automotive
repair companies, interior decorating, child care services, photography and tutoring services.

Finance: Providing financial services to commercial and retail customers. Examples may include: banks,
credit unions, accounting firms, investment companies and insurance companies.

Hospitality and Tourism: Providing products and services related to event management, lodging,
restaurant management and travel and tourism industries. Examples may include: hotels, lodging services,
convention services, food and beverage services, restaurants, museums, amusement parks, zoos and other
tourism-related businesses.

62 | DECA GUIDE 2024-25

Buying and Merchandising: Getting the product into the hands of the customer through forecasting, planning, buying, displaying, selling and
providing customer service. Examples may include any retail or wholesale business that provides consumer goods: specialty stores, department
stores, shopping malls, grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, discount stores, farmers markets and car dealerships.
Sports and Entertainment Marketing: Providing products, services or experiences relating to amateur or professional sports or sporting events,
entertainment or entertainment events, selling or renting of supplies and equipment (other than vehicles) used for recreational or sporting
purposes or products and services related to hobbies, leisure or cultural events. Examples may include: sports team, movie theaters, waterparks,
music venues, concerts, festivals, amateur practice facilities, tournaments, summer camps, outdoor adventure companies and craft/music classes.

EVENT OVERVIEW
• The Business Operations Research Events consist of two major parts: the written document and the oral
presentation by the participants. The written document will account for 60 points and the oral presentation
1-3 PARTICIPANTS
will account for the remaining 40 of the total 100 points.
• Each Business Operations Research entry will be composed of one to three members of the DECA chapter.
All participants must present the project to the judges.
• The body of the written entry must be limited to 20 numbered pages, including the appendix (if an
appendix is attached), but excluding the title page and the table of contents.
20 PAGES
• The Written Event Statement of Assurances and Academic Integrity must be signed and submitted with ALLOWED
the entry. Do not include it in the page numbering.
• The oral presentation may be a maximum 15 minutes in length, including time for the judge’s questions.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS RESEARCH

• For the presentation, the participants are to assume the role of hired consultants. The judge will assume the
role of the owner/manager of the business/organization and will evaluate the presentation, focusing on the
effectiveness of public speaking and presentation skills and how well the participants respond to questions
PRESENT PLAN
that the judge may ask during the presentation.

2024-2025 TOPIC
The 2024-2025 topic for each career category is the development of a strategic plan to enhance or introduce
the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in an existing business or organization. Participants will collaborate with
a local business or organization to analyze current AI strategies and practices. Participants will then develop
and present a strategic plan for AI usage. 15 MINUTES
INTERVIEW TIME

DECA GUIDE 2024-25 | 63

WRITTEN ENTRY GUIDELINES
The written entry must follow these specifications. Refer also to the Penalty Point Checklist and the Written
Entry Evaluation Form.
WRITTEN EVENT STATEMENT OF ASSURANCES AND ACADEMIC INTEGRITY. This must be signed and
submitted with the entry. Do not include it in the page numbering.
TITLE PAGE. The first page of the written entry is the title page. It must include in any order, but is not
limited to, the following:
NAME OF THE EVENT (one of the following):
• BUSINESS SERVICES OPERATIONS RESEARCH EVENT
• BUYING AND MERCHANDISING OPERATIONS RESEARCH EVENT
• FINANCE OPERATIONS RESEARCH EVENT
• HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM OPERATIONS RESEARCH EVENT
• SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING OPERATIONS RESEARCH EVENT
Name of high school
School address
City, State/Province, ZIP/Postal Code
Names of participants
Date
Title page will not be numbered.
TABLE OF CONTENTS. The table of contents should follow the title page. The table of contents may be
single-spaced and may be one or more pages long. The table of contents page(s) will not be numbered.
BODY OF THE WRITTEN ENTRY. The body of the written entry begins with Section I, Executive Summary, and
continues in the sequence outlined here. The first page of the body is numbered “1” and all following pages
are numbered in sequence. Page numbers continue through the bibliography (required) and the appendix
(optional).
This outline must be followed. Points for each section are included on the Written Entry Evaluation Form.
Each section must be titled, including the bibliography and the appendix.
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
One- to three-page description of the project
II. INTRODUCTION
A. Description of the business or organization
B. Description of the target market (demographics and psychographics)
C. Overview of the business or organization’s current artificial intelligence strategies and usage
III. RESEARCH METHODS USED IN THE STUDY
A. Description and rationale of research methodologies selected to conduct the research study
B. Process used to conduct the selected research methods
IV. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE STUDY
A. Findings of the research study
B. Conclusions based on the findings
V. PROPOSED STRATEGIC PLAN
A. Objectives and rationale of the proposed strategic plan
B. Proposed activities and timelines
C. Proposed metrics or key performance indicators to measure plan effectiveness
VI. PROPOSED BUDGET
Costs associated with proposed strategies
VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY
A bibliography is required. Include a list of the sources of information used in the written document.
VIII. APPENDIX
An appendix is optional. If additional material is appended, all pages must be numbered as noted
previously. Include in an appendix any exhibits appropriate to the written entry, but not important
enough to include in the body. These might include sample questionnaires used, letters sent and
received, general background data, minutes of meetings, etc.

64 | DECA GUIDE 2024-25

PENALTY POINT CHECKLIST
In addition to the Written Entry Guidelines, participants must observe all of the standards on the Penalty
Point Checklist on page 60. These standards are designed to make competition as fair as possible.

PRESENTATION GUIDELINES
• Prior to the presentation, a judge will evaluate the written portion of the entry. The major emphasis of the
written entry is on the content. Drawings, illustrations and graphic presentations (where allowed) will be
judged for clarity, not artistic value.
• The participants have assumed the roles of hired consultants. The judge is to assume the role of the
business’s/organization’s owner/manager.
• The participants will present the plan to the judge in a 15-minute presentation worth 40 points. (See
Presentation Judging.)
• The presentation begins immediately after the introduction of the participants to the judge by the adult
assistant. Each participant must take part in the presentation.
• Each participant may bring a copy of the written entry or note cards pertaining to the written entry to use
as reference during the presentation.
• Only visual aids that can be easily hand carried to the presentation by the actual participant(s) will be
permitted. The participants themselves must set up the visuals. Wheeled carts, moving straps or similar
items may not be used to bring visuals into the area. Set up time is included in the total presentation time.
Participants must furnish their own materials and equipment. No electrical power or internet connection
will be supplied. Alternate power sources such as small generators are not allowed. Sound may be used,
as long as the volume is kept at a conversational level.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS RESEARCH

• Materials appropriate to the situation may be handed to or left with judges in all competitive events. Items
of monetary value may be handed to but may not be left with judges. Items such as flyers, brochures,
pamphlets and business cards may be handed to or left with the judge. No food or drinks allowed.
• If any of these rules are violated, the adult assistant must be notified by the judge.

PRESENTATION JUDGING
Participants will make a 15-minute presentation to you. Remember, you are taking on the role of the owner/
manager of the business/organization.
At the beginning of the presentation (after introductions), the participants will explain the proposed
strategic plan. Allow the participants to complete this portion without interruption, unless you are asked to
respond. Each participant must take part in the presentation.
If time remains, you may ask questions that seem appropriate, based on your notes or on the written entry
(if provided).
At the conclusion of the presentation, thank the participant(s). Then complete the Presentation Evaluation
Form, making sure to record a score for all categories. The maximum score for the presentation is 40 points.

DECA GUIDE 2024-25 | 65

BUSINESS OPERATIONS
RESEARCH EVENTS
BUSINESS SERVICES OPERATIONS RESEARCH BOR
BUYING AND MERCHANDISING OPERATIONS RESEARCH BMOR
FINANCE OPERATIONS RESEARCH FOR
HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM OPERATIONS RESEARCH HTOR
SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING OPERATIONS RESEARCH SEOR

WRITTEN ENTRY EVALUATION FORM

Please refer to the Written Entry Guidelines for a more detailed explanation of these items.

LITTLE/ BELOW MEETS EXCEEDS JUDGED

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NO VALUE EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS SCORE

1. One- to three-page description of the project 0-1-2-3 4-5-6 7-8 9-10

LITTLE/ BELOW MEETS EXCEEDS JUDGED

INTRODUCTION NO VALUE EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS SCORE

2. Description of the business or organization 0 1 2 3

3. Description of the target market (demographics and psychographics) 0 1 2 3
4. Overview of the business or organization’s current artificial intelligence
0 1 2 3
strategies and practices

LITTLE/ BELOW MEETS EXCEEDS JUDGED

RESEARCH METHODS USED IN THE STUDY NO VALUE EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS SCORE

5. Description and rationale of research methodologies selected to conduct the

0-1 2 3 4
research study
6. Process used to conduct the selected research methods 0-1 2 3 4

LITTLE/ BELOW MEETS EXCEEDS JUDGED

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE STUDY NO VALUE EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS SCORE

7. Findings of the research study 0-1 2 3 4

8. Conclusions based on the findings 0-1 2 3 4

LITTLE/ BELOW MEETS EXCEEDS JUDGED

PROPOSED STRATEGIC PLAN NO VALUE EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS SCORE

9. Objectives and rationale of the proposed strategic plan 0-1 2-3 4-5 6
10. Proposed activities and timelines 0-1 2-3 4-5 6
11. Proposed metrics or key performance indicators to measure plan effectiveness 0-1 2-3 4-5 6

LITTLE/ BELOW MEETS EXCEEDS JUDGED

PROPOSED BUDGET NO VALUE EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS SCORE

12. Costs associated with proposed strategies 0-1 2 3 4

LITTLE/ BELOW MEETS EXCEEDS JUDGED

APPEARANCE AND WORD USAGE NO VALUE EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS SCORE

13. Professional layout, neatness, proper grammar, spelling and word usage 0 1 2 3

WRITTEN ENTRY TOTAL POINTS (60)

JUDGE __________

66 | DECA GUIDE 2024-25

BUSINESS OPERATIONS
RESEARCH EVENTS
BUSINESS SERVICES OPERATIONS RESEARCH BOR
BUYING AND MERCHANDISING OPERATIONS RESEARCH BMOR
FINANCE OPERATIONS RESEARCH FOR
HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM OPERATIONS RESEARCH HTOR
SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING OPERATIONS RESEARCH SEOR

PRESENTATION EVALUATION FORM

LITTLE/ BELOW MEETS EXCEEDS JUDGED
PRESENTATION NO VALUE EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS SCORE

1. Opening presentation; description of the plan; organization, clarity and

0-1-2-3 4-5-6 7-8 9-10
effectiveness of the presentation

LITTLE/ BELOW MEETS EXCEEDS JUDGED

TO WHAT EXTENT DID THE PARTICIPANTS: NO VALUE EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS SCORE

2. Describe methods used to the design research study? 0-1 2-3 4-5 6
3. Interpret the research data into information for decision-making? 0-1 2-3 4-5 6
4. Describe strategies and approaches for leading change? 0-1 2-3 4-5 6
5. Describe the nature of budgets? 0-1 2-3 4-5 6

LITTLE/ BELOW MEETS EXCEEDS JUDGED

GENERAL NO VALUE EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS EXPECTATIONS SCORE

6. Professional standards (appearance, poise, confidence), presentation

0-1 2-3 4-5 6
technique, effective use of visuals and participation of all

PRESENTATION TOTAL POINTS (40)

WRITTEN ENTRY (60)

PRESENTATION (40)

SUBTOTAL (100)

LESS PENALTY POINTS

TOTAL SCORE

JUDGE __________

DECA GUIDE 2024-25 | 67