BUS 274f (2)
SUPPLY CHAIN ANALYTICS
COURSE SYLLABUS
Spring 2015
Class Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: Lemberg 55
Anita L. Tucker, DBA
Associate Professor of Operations Management
Office Hours: Monday 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm; Tuesdays 5:30 – 6:30 pm
I am happy to meet with you onother days and times, just send me an email request.
Sachar 209B
781-736-8542 (office phone)
Revision dateMarch 10, 2015
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Overview
The course counts toward the analytics specialization. Itis designed for students who would like to pursue a career in consulting or take a position in operations, marketing or finance functions in a manufacturing, retail or distribution firm. We focus on supply chains—the networks of suppliers, factories, warehouses and stores that collectively enable the production and distribution of products or services tothe end customer.
We will learn how to optimize supply chain processes so that they can achieve a company’s strategic goal of either efficiency or responsiveness. The course is organized into three broad sections: strategic/design, planning, and operational. The three sections encompass the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model of supply chains, which is Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, and Return.
The class format includes lectures and case discussions. The content covers both quantitative and qualitative materials. By the end of the course, you should have developed the ability to use analytical tools and conceptual frameworks to make effective decisions about supply chains, as well as gained a better understanding of the major strategic issues and trade-offs that arise in supply chain management.
Learning Goals
In this course, you will learn key concepts related to managing global supply chains.
By the end of the course you will:
- Understand how supply chain design choices influence the efficiency or responsiveness with which goods are delivered to end customers
- Learn how to use historical data to predict future demand for products
- Understand effective techniques to improve supply chain performance without necessarily increasing costs. These include postponement and rapid response.
Teaching Methods
The focus of the course will be on learning and applying fundamental management principles and techniques for global supply chains. In our classes, we will use a variety of formats to deepen our understanding including lectures, case study discussions and exercises. We will apply what we learned in homework assignments, case write ups and an exam.
Course Prerequisite:
None, although it is helpful if students have taken the MBA core course in Operations Management
Materials
Textbook. The following book is required for the course, and may be purchased from the Brandeis bookstore, Amazon.com or any other bookseller that carries it.
- Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning and Operations. Sunil Chopra and Peter Meindl. 2013, 5th edition. Pearson, Boston MA. ISBN-13: 978-0-13-274395-2
Case Materials:
Each student should purchase the following case pack from Harvard Publishing.
This case pack has the Hewlett Packard Desk Jet case as well as access to the Global Supply Chain simulation.
Grading:
Grades are based on the following components: class participation, case write ups,homeworkand exam.
Class Participation(20%).Class participation is determined by your preparation and active engagement during class. Class attendance is required. Please be courteous to your fellow students by arriving on time and refraining from leaving in the middle of class. If you are unable to attend class, please let me know in advance, if possible, including the reason you are unable to attend. You will not be penalized for any excused absences, such as your own illness, or serious illness or death in your family. You also will not be penalized for one absence (eg recruiting-related absence), but absences beyond that will hurt your grade.
For case discussion and group exercises, you are expected to actively listen, respond to questions, express your viewpoints, and respond to comments from your fellow students. I will keep a record of class participation for each student and assign a grade based on the quality of your in-class comments. One or two high quality comments during class is preferred over frequent, low-quality participation. Participation is necessary, as attendance without participation will result in a C+ participation grade (assuming there are no more than one absence). High quality (e.g., contributing analysis, synthesis) participation for most classes will be an A. Consistent, although not always breakthrough participation will be a B.
Case Write ups (20%)
During the course, you will prepare brief case write-ups. Although you may work with others in analyzing the case and discussing it, each person should submit his or her own unique case write up. Case write ups should be no longer than 5 pages, including any exhibits. They are due at the start of class via Latte.
Homework Assignments (30%)
Homework is graded and points assigned based on showing your work and the correctness of that work. Assignments will be handed in through Latte. Your submission must be your own, but you may work with other students to discuss the homework.
Final Exam (30%)
The final exam iscumulative and you will be able to make a double-sided sheet of paper with notes for your use during the exam. The homework exercises and case write ups that you have done during the course should help you be prepared for the final.
Total 100%
Communication
We will use Latte for posting course slides and for class announcements. Please always refer to Latte before each class for the most up-to-date assignment. Assignments should also be submitted on Latte unless otherwise instructed. Email usually is the best way to reach me besides coming to my office hours.
Special Accommodation
If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University and wish to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class, please see me immediately.
Academic Integrity
You are expected to be familiar with and to follow the University’s policies on academic integrity (see Instances of alleged dishonesty will be forwarded to the Office of Campus Life for possible referral to the Student Judicial System. Potential sanctions include failure in the course and suspension from the University. You are encouraged to discuss problems with classmates on two conditions: (1) you cite the contributions of others clearly, (2) you write up the assignment on your own, alone! The use of old course files borrowed from previous students is strictly forbidden; I consider it as an act of cheating and plagiarism. Please be on time for class, prepared to participate, and with laptops and cell phones away. Professionalism in class elevates the quality of the experience for all.Tentative Course Outline – Always Check Latte!
Date / Day / Class # / Topic / Reading / Case / Assignment DueStrategic Framework for Supply Chain
3/10/2015 / Tu / 1 / Chapter 1: Understanding the supply chain
3/12/2015 / Th / 2 / Chapter 2: Achieving strategic fit and scope
Fisher 1997 HBR. “What is the right supply chain for your product?” / Before class read and prepare the Seven Eleven Japan Case (pages 60-66 in C&M)
Designing the Supply Chain Network
3/17/2015 / Tu / 3 / Distribution
Chapter 4 Sections 4.1- 4.3
Chapter 6, 6.1-6.5 / Before class read the Forever Young case on pages 176-177
Planning
3/19/2015 / Th / 4 / Forecasting Chapter 7 / Turn in individual write up for Forever Young case.
3/24/2015 / Tu / 5 / Aggregate Planning and Sales and Operations Planning
Chapter 8.1-8.3
Chapter 9.1-9.3 / Guest Speaker: James Berry from Forecastpro / Exercises 7.3 and 7.4 due
3/26/2015 / Th / 6 / Cycle Inventory
Chapter 11
3/31/2015 / Tu / 7 / Chapter 11 / Invited guest: Lowell Limpus, Jr. Global Supply Chain, Beaver Visitec / Exercises 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, due
4/02/2015 / Th / 8 / Safety Inventory
Chapter 12 (Sections 12.1-12.3) / Be prepared to discuss the case: “Should packaging be postponed to the DC?” (page 353)
4/7/2015 / -- Break --
4/9/2015 / -- Break --
4/14/2015 / Tu / 9 / Postponement
Chapter 13 / Hewlett Packard Deskjet printer (A) GS3A
Invited guest: Larry Strauss from Biogen IDEC / Be prepared to discuss the HP case during class
Exercises 12.1, 12.2 due
Operational
4/16/2015 / Th / 10 / Global Supply Chain Simulation
4/21/2015 / Tu / 11 / Global Supply Chain Simulation Debrief
4/23/2015 / Th / 12 / FINAL EXAM