PROFESSOR:

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

1. TEXT: Markland Vickery and davisOperations management: Concepts in Manufacturing and Services. South-Western, 1998
2. Packet of case studies and readings available at the Bookstore

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A study of operations strategy and operations planning in support of the business strategy of the firm. Topics include, operations strategy, quality management, project planning and control, capacity planning, location, layout, technology and automation, demand forecasting, aggregate planning, production scheduling, and inventory systems.

OBJECTIVES:

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:

• Explore the role of Operations as a key competitive weapon for the firm.
• Study the links between Operations and Marketing, Finance, Human Resources and Engineering.
• Achieve an understanding of the resources managed by the operations function, their productive deplyment and interrelationships.
• Explore analytical tools useful in planning and controlling the use of these resources.

FORMAT:

Class sessions will explore course materials primarily through class discussion supplemented by lectures. In addition, a set of articles, cases and videos will be studied and discussed in class. Students are expected to have read the assigned chapter (including solved problems), outside readings, and case studies and come to class prepared to be active participants.

ASSIGNMENTS:

There will be several assignments to be turned in. These include several problem sets and two written case analyses. Some of the problems come from your text and some pertain to Deac Inc., (separately distributed). Deac Inc. is an integrated exercise in various interrelated production planning activities in a typical manufacturing firm. In the solution of these problems you will make extensive use of spreadsheets. The two written case analyses will be done by a group of three students. Each member of the group is expected to thoroughly understand what is being turned in. You are free to form your teams.
The cases will be prepared for discussion in class. Written case analyses for cases Sensormatics and New Balance will be turned in by each team at the beginning of the period in which the case will be discussed (you should each keep a copy to help in the discussion.)

GRADING:

The final semester grade will be based on the following:

If the final test grade is higher than any of the three mid-term test, a 5% weight shift per test to the (higher) final test grade will be made. The tests and the final will contain material both 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 to help you get ready for the tests.