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MGNT
3430 - Operations Management
Project Instructions
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The general requirement:
Choose a specific operation
(perhaps a subset of a company which has multiple
operations), thoroughly describe that operation, and identify
areas for improvement.
Goals of the project:
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To apply classroom ideas to real-world operations.
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To recognize how, when, and why various operating
decisions are made.
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To observe the additional complexities, complications, and
constraints of real-world operations.
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To begin to recognize ways in which operations can be
improved.
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To gain experience communicating current and proposed
approaches to operations.
Teams:
The project may be accomplished individually or by
teams, consisting of no more than four students. If a team is
used, each team member should individually (separate from
the project report) submit the following information at the time
the report is due:
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A description of the role played and activities
accomplished by each team member, including self. One
page, type written.
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An evaluation of the contributions of each team member,
including self. In addition to any narrative comments,
rate each team member's performance on a 10-point scale,
where higher scores are better. |
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NOTE: If you are not satisfied with the contributions of a
team member, you should first discuss your concerns with that
person. If you are unable to resolve your differences, you can
and should determine this and dissolve your team in sufficient
time to make other arrangements.
The deliverable: A professionally accomplished slide
presentation with a one-two page executive summary which
accurately and thoroughly characterizes the operation, applying
concepts covered in the course. The report should be organized
as follows:
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Introduction: Briefly introduce the company, to
include the products and services it provides and who its
customers are.
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Process Description: Describe the chosen
operation, to include its inputs, processes
(describe/explain as necessary), and outputs.
Explain/characterize the process flow configuration being
used, i.e. Is it a job shop, flow shop, assembly line,
etc. Better descriptions will include a layout of the
operation and/or a process flow diagram.
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Inventory Methods: Describe the methods used to
manage the company’s raw material, work-in-process, and
end item inventories. This would includes topics such as
independent demand, dependent demand, and just-in-time. If
computer systems are used, what is the underlying logic?
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Operations Planning and Control: Describe how the
company decides what work it will do at what time. This
would include such things as its production planning and
scheduling methods and capacity planning. Does expediting
occur? If computer systems are used, what is the
underlying logic?
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Customer Service and Quality: Identify specific
measures of customer service, quality, or overall
performance being used. Also discuss any process
improvement methods in place or planned.
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Conclusion: Identify which aspects of the
operation are particularly key to its competitiveness.
Identify particular concerns of the operation’s
managers. Identify and prioritize specific opportunities
for improvement. |
Format:
The executive summary should briefly outline the
problem and the solution chosen and why. It should be no
longer than two pages. Think about writing a summary to
the boss. The presentation should be printed four or six
slides to a page. Please staple your paper in the upper,
left corner and do not use document protectors or file
folders.
Suggestions:
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Establish contact with the subject organization early.
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Try to have one or more points of contact, but respect
their time and availability.
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To the extent possible, gather data and confirm what
you’ve been told through direct observations. Do not
automatically believe everything you read or are told!
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Where possible, use the ideas and terms presented in the
text (or other relevant sources) to support your
observations and recommendations.
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Provide data and rationale to support your observations
and recommendations.
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Use figures, tables, or other graphics where helpful to
communicate more effectively.
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Treat the information provided by the organization as
being confidential and let them know that I will do so also.
None of us should communicate any of the information outside
of this class without first obtaining the subject
organization’s permission to do so. |
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Evaluation:
I will subjectively evaluate each project in
terms of the breadth of topics covered, depth of insight on each
topic, apparent correctness of understanding, quality/value of
recommendations, and support for the ideas presented. When
assessing the value of your work, I will attempt to assume the
perspective of a member of the subject operation and may also
solicit evaluations from other current or former practitioners.
Although the project is to be professionally accomplished, the
quality of presentation (e.g. grammar, organization, spelling,
etc.) will also influence the grade. Finally, I will consider
the number of team members, the relative difficulty of the
project, and the team evaluations in determining each member's
grade. (It is possible for different members of the same team to
receive different grades.) |
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