Mini-Project 1: Ship Something Using DRIVER Loops#
Your first taste of building in an AI-powered world
The Assignment#
Build a simple finance tool that works on the internet. Use DRIVER in loops to go from crappy to better. It should apply something you learned from Sessions 1 or 2.
Timeline: One week from Session 2
Why This Matters: In 2025, financial analysts who can’t build are becoming extinct. This isn’t about becoming a programmer. It’s about proving you can create value in a world where AI does the analysis and humans do the building. Plus, you’ll actually USE the finance concepts you’re learning.
The DRIVER Loop Approach#
Loop 1: Just Make It Exist#
D - Discover: What’s one tiny finance thing that would be useful to build?
Pick ONE concept from Session 1 or 2
Examples based on what you’ve learned:
Session 1 Ideas: Quick ratio calculator, burn rate calculator, revenue growth checker
Session 2 Ideas: Loan payment calculator, compound interest visualizer, “how long to double my money?”
R - Reason: What’s the absolute simplest version?
One calculation? One input box? One result?
How can I build this in under an hour?
I - Implement: Build the crappiest version that works
Use Replit.com (or whatever you find)
Ask AI for help constantly
Copy-paste is fine - just make it work
V - Verify: Does it do ONE thing?
Can you click/type something and get a result?
Record a short screen-capture video demo showing it working; no live deploy or share link required
E - Evolve: What’s obviously broken or missing?
Pick ONE thing to improve next
R - Reflect: What was harder/easier than expected?
Loop 2: Make It Less Crappy#
Run through DRIVER again:
D: What annoys users most about version 1?
R: What’s the smallest fix with biggest impact?
I: Implement that ONE improvement
V: Is it actually better?
E: What’s next?
R: What did I learn about improving things?
Loop 3+: Keep Improving#
Keep looping until you’re proud of it (or time runs out)
Tools & Resources#
Recommended Starting Point:
Replit.com - sign up free, start building immediately
Everything runs in browser; if live deploy isn’t available on the free tier, that’s fine — you’ll submit a video demo
Research These Yourself Using AI:
“How to build a simple calculator web app with Replit”
“JavaScript code for compound interest formula”
“How to make a financial calculator in HTML and JavaScript”
“Simple loan payment calculator tutorial”
“How to format currency in JavaScript”
Other Options to Explore:
v0.dev (Vercel) - describe UI in plain English
Claude Artifacts - build in the chat
ChatGPT Canvas - interactive coding
Whatever you discover!
Finance Tool Ideas (Based on Sessions 1 & 2)#
Session 1 (Financial Statements) Ideas:#
Super Simple Starters:
Quick Ratio Calculator: Enter current assets and liabilities → Get ratio
Burn Rate Timer: Enter cash and monthly burn → Shows “months until $0”
Profit Margin Checker: Revenue and net income → Shows margin percentage
Working Capital Calculator: Just subtracts current liabilities from current assets
Slightly More Advanced (Loop 2+):
Startup Runway Calculator: Cash, burn rate, revenue growth → Interactive timeline
Financial Health Checker: Enter 5 key numbers → Get “healthy/warning/danger” rating
YoY Growth Visualizer: Enter this year and last year → See growth percentage with colors
Session 2 (Time Value of Money) Ideas:#
Super Simple Starters:
Rule of 72 Calculator: Enter interest rate → Shows years to double
Present Value Calculator: Future amount, rate, years → Today’s value
Loan Payment Calculator: Amount, rate, years → Monthly payment
Compound Interest Visualizer: Shows money growing over time
Slightly More Advanced (Loop 2+):
“Can I Afford This?” Tool: Price, down payment, income → Yes/No with explanation
Student Loan vs Investment Calculator: Compare paying off loans vs investing
Retirement Calculator (Simple): Current age, retirement age, monthly savings → Final amount
Examples of What Others Built#
Loop 1 Examples (Gloriously Crappy but Working):
Quick ratio calculator with just 2 input boxes
“Days until broke” counter for startups (just divides cash by daily burn)
Compound interest calculator that only works for $1000
Loan payment calculator that assumes 30 years
After 3-4 Loops:
Financial ratio dashboard that color-codes results
Interactive compound interest graph
Loan comparison tool with amortization schedule
Startup runway calculator with “what-if” scenarios
Requirements#
Two Versions Minimum
Explain how you updated your app from the starting version to the better version
Only the final needs to be discussed in the video
Submission (Video Demo Only)
Submit a screen-capture video demonstrating your final version and briefly how it improved from Loop 1.
No code repository required.
No live app link required (free-tier friendly).
Submit your video per the course syllabus instructions via Brightspace.
Brief Reflection (Discuss in your video)
Loop 1: What I built and what I learned (3-4 sentences)
Loop 2: What I improved and why (3-4 sentences)
Overall: Biggest surprise about building with AI (2-3 sentences)
GRADING CRITERIA (For Instructor Reference Only):#
Ship a working web finance tool: 60%
Demonstrate iterative improvement using DRIVER loops: 25%
Clear video demo that shows the final version and explains improvements: 10%
Reflection quality: 5%
Tips for Success#
What Usually Goes Wrong:
Trying to build something too complex → Start stupidly simple
Perfectionism → Ship the crappy version FIRST
Picking tools that need setup → Use Replit or similar
The Mental Model:
This isn’t a coding assignment
It’s a “figure out how to build things” assignment
The building is the point, not the product
FAQ#
Q: Does it have to be finance-related? A: Yes! Pick something from Session 1 (financial statements) or Session 2 (time value of money). This reinforces what you’re learning.
Q: What if I’ve never coded before? A: Perfect. Neither had most builders before they built their first thing. AI will help. Start with the simplest calculator possible.
Q: Can I work with a partner? A: For this first project, try it solo. You need to know YOU can build.
Q: What if my idea already exists? A: Everything already exists. Build YOUR version anyway. Make it simpler, clearer, or just different.
Q: Can I just copy the Python code from class? A: No - build an interactive interface (buttons/inputs) that runs in your environment (e.g., Replit). A public deploy is not required; you’ll demonstrate via video. You can use the formulas!
Q: How do I know when to stop improving? A: When the deadline hits or you’re proud of it - whichever comes first.
The Real Goal#
After this project, you should believe: “I can build things.”
Not perfect things. Not complex things. But things that work.
That belief changes everything.
Why? Because in your finance career:
Analysts who can prototype tools will lead teams
Those who only use tools will report to them
The question isn’t “Can you analyze?” (AI does that)
It’s “Can you create solutions?” (Only humans do that)
Start now. Start crappy. Start shipping.
Your survival depends on it.