TEAM PROJECT

Description of Project:

The purpose of the term project is to have you explore, in modest depth, the operations function of an existing service organization of your choosing. On completion of the project you should:

  • Understand how a service is generated and delivered to the customer; and
  • Have explored in depth the operations management activities in the organization.

In order to achieve these goals, your group is expected to select a service organization (the service function in a manufacturing organization, government entity, health service organization, etc.) and complete the following activities:

  • Phase I – Choose a service company. One that will be able to assist you by giving you enough information. Try to choose a small organization that will utilize this report. DATE DUE: 9/15/2008 (Turn in the company name and your team members names and email addresses)
  • Phase II - Document current operations. Using flowchart, job analysis, job descriptions, verbal explanations, or similar methods, you should explain the operations activities and technology of the firm. Specifically, the various inputs, transformation processes, and several outputs must be identified. DATE DUE: 10/8/2008(Turn in a brief write up of your findings)
  • Phase III- Detail OM activities. Carefully and in depth, tell how the following activities are performed in the firm:
  1. Capacity planning
  2. Manpower planning

3.Scheduling of jobs (customers’ jobs, not employees)

  1. Managing for quality
  2. Material control (inventory, supplies, etc.)
  3. Cost control
  4. Training and development for employees
  5. Facility location and layout planning

DATE DUE: 10/20/2008(Turn in a brief write up of your findings)

  • Phase IV-Identify Problems. Out of the activities discussed in Phase III, identify four operating problems in the firm. Document the problems. Describe the problems, as you best understand it; attach any company literature or documentation of the problems. DATE DUE: 11/10/2008(Turn in a brief write up of your findings)
  • Phase V- Propose Solutions. Suggest one or more tentative solutions to each of the problems. Provide enough explanation that a reader will gain a basic understanding of what you are proposing. INCLUDE A FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF THE SOLUTION. DATE DUE: Final Presentation date
  • Prepare a written report. Report your findings to the rest of the class. You may also be required to submit a copy of your report to the firm, and hence you should use professional standards in preparing your report. DATE DUE: Final Presentation date.

GUIDELINES ON REPORT PREPARATION

General Format

  1. The report must be typed.
  2. Report covers are a group choice but must allow the report to lie flat when open.
  3. Use subheadings within the report when necessary.
  4. A table of contents page is necessary.
  5. Plan the report carefully so as to develop an organized and nonredundant report. It should be organized and assembled as a continuous report and not be several independent segments bound together.

Tentative Outline of the Report

  1. Executive Summary
  2. Introduction
  3. Environmental background (SWOT Analysis)
  4. Organizational analysis
  5. Problem identification and solution (including recommendation and implementation)
  6. Conclusion
  7. References
  8. Appendices
  9. Exhibits, tables and figures (include within text, not as a separate section)

For a more detailed description of the outline, consult with the instructor.

EXTRA CREDIT

For extra credit of 25 points, develop a schedule in Microsoft Project for one of your problems and its associated solution. The schedule must include 3 levels and a minimum of 30 tasks. Show the critical path and describe it briefly. Given what you have developed, describe the critical activities and how you would prevent the project from slipping off schedule and out of scope.