PROFESSOR:
TEXT: Krajewski and Ritzmann, Operations Management: Strategy and Analysis. 4th ed. Addison Wesley, 1996
Packet of four case studies
A study of operations strategy and operations planning in support of
the business strategy of the firm. Topics include, quality management,
project management, capacity planning, location, layout, automation, demand
forecasting, aggregate planning, production scheduling, and inventory systems.
Operations is one of the major functional areas of business in both product and service companies. This course will provide an introductory overview of the operations function. Specific objectives are:
Class sessions will explore course materials primarily through class discussion supplemented by lectures. In addition to the text material, a set of articles and four case studies will be read and discussed in class. Students are expected to have read the assigned chapter (including solved problems), outside readings, videos and case studies and come to class prepared to be active participants.
There will be several assignments to be turned in. These include two written case analyses, and several problem sets. Some of these problems come from and some pertain to Deac INc. This is an integrated exercise in various production planning activities in a typical manufacturing firm. In the solution of these problems you will make extensive use of spreadsheets. the assignments from the text are individual assignmants to be turned in by each student. The two written analyses and the Deac Inc. problems are to be done by a team of three students. Each member of the team is expected to thoroughly understand what is being turned in. You will be free to form your teams and turn in the names of the members by January 28 th.
The cases will be prepared for discussion in class. Written case analyses for cases 2 and 4 will be turned in by each team at the begining of the period in which the case will be discussed (you should each keep a copy to help in the class discussion). Each student will buy their copies of the cases from Ms. Shore.
A group of three students (selected in alphabetical order) will share a set of the
readings. please take care of them and return to the professor in good shape on
the day of the final test.
The final semester grade will be based on the following:
If the final test grade is higher than any of the three mid-term tests, a 5% weight shift per test to the (higher) final test grade will be made. The tests and the final will contain material from the text, reading materials, case studies and class discussions. No make up tests will be given except under extreme circumstances. Finally, assignments are for your benefit. They are intended to facilitate your learning and getting ready for the tests. It is important that each student make an active contribution to the team assignments and understand the solution of the spreadsheets as well as being familiar with all aspects of case analyses. Problem sets from the text should be your own individual work.