Comprehensive Case Study

Please see attached. Multiple due dates are included.

Comprehensive Case Study

Analyze a case study that addresses several key operations management fundamentals. Use the tools and techniques that operations managers use into the final summative analysis. Address the typical problems that operations managers face. Discuss the emerging concepts of sustainability in business management, specifically the topics of corporate responsibility and environmental compliance.

Demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

· Evaluate the influence of operations functions on generating value for a firm and its customers

· Explain theories and techniques used by operations managers for informing production processes

· Accurately apply problem-solving and decision-making skills to real-world problems using quantitative and qualitative methodologies

· Integrate emerging principles into operations management functions by addressing corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability

Write a comprehensive analysis of the Nissan attached case study by addressing the critical elements below.

Imagine that you are hired into the role of the operations manager at the company described in the case study. Although there are many issues facing the company, you have some experience and are well qualified to provide direction in solving these problems. To address many of the questions below, you will want to review your submissions from previous modules and incorporate instructor feedback. Using the case study, course materials, and outside sources, prepare a cohesive case study analysis for submission as one document.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

One: Managing Operations – DUE January 15, 2018
Submit a managing operations case study analysis, which evaluates how Nissan uses operations management functions to provide products and generate value for its customers and how it achieves a competitive advantage using operations management, among other critical elements. Use the Nissan case study and independent research.

I. Generating Value

· Evaluate how the company in the case study uses operations management functions to provide products and generate value for its customers. Support your claims with examples from the case study or outside sources.

· Assess how this company achieves a competitive advantage using operations management. Provide examples found in the case study or outside sources to support your reasoning.

· Compare and contrast service operations and manufacturing operations at the company in the case study. How are they the same? How do they differ? How does each of these operations provide value for their customers?

II.

Theories and Techniques

· Compare and contrast the critical path method (CPM) and the program evaluation and review technique (PERT). What types of projects at this company would favor PERT over CPM? Why? What types of projects at this company would favor CPM over PERT? Why?

· Explain the steps used to develop a forecasting system. How would these steps be specifically utilized by this company? What do you predict would be the result of implementing a forecasting system for the top-selling product line at this company?

· List the major categories of supply chain risk and associated risk-reduction tactics. How could the company mitigate exposure to supply chain disruptions caused by natural disasters? For example, consider the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan.

Two: Quality, Process, and Location Analysis – DUE January 29, 2018
Submit a quality, process, and location analysis case study analysis that addresses the typical problems that operations managers face. To complete this, use the Nissan case study and your own independent research.

II. Theories and Techniques

· Explain the five steps of the theory of constraints (TOC) process. To what processes might the company in the case study apply TOC? Why would applying TOC to these processes be advantageous?

· Describe how total quality management (TQM) principles and tools can be used to improve quality in the latest line of products in the context of the case study.

III.

Data Analysis

· Draw a cause-and-effect diagram that assesses why some of the company’s supply chain partners might have struggled to implement some of the company’s newly developed materials. Summarize your findings from the diagram.

· Draw a hypothetical process (time-function) map for producing a recently released (within the past two years) product manufactured by the company. As an operations manager, how will you use the value map? Be sure to include your process map within your case study analysis.

· Considering the data and options below, determine where the company should locate its new manufacturing plant. Explain why this would be the favorable location.

.20

.10

Factor	Weight	Mexico City	Columbia, SC
Political Risk	.25	70		80
Transportation Costs		.20	40		90
Labor Productivity	85	75
Rental Costs	.15	55
Labor Costs		.10		50
Taxes

Three: Sustaining Operations – DUE February 5, 2018
In Module Five, you will submit a sustaining operations case study analysis that discusses the emerging concepts of sustainability in business management, specifically the topics of corporate responsibility and environmental compliance. To complete this milestone, you will use the Nissan case study, your own independent research, and the course materials. This milestone is graded with the Milestone Three Rubric.

II. Theories and Techniques

· Summarize the following theories: just in time (JIT), Toyota Production System (TPS), and Lean. How are these concepts related? Describe the advantages and disadvantages for using each of these concepts at the company presented in the case study.

IV. Sustainability

· Describe how the emerging concept of the triple bottom line can be used to enhance operations management at the company. Be sure to address each component of the triple bottom line.

· Explain how the company integrates ISO 1

4000

standards in its manufacturing plants. Support your explanation with citations from your textbook or outside sources.

· Describe ways through which the company can integrate corporate responsibility principles into their operations. Which of these do you believe to be the most effective? Why? Support your opinions with citations from your textbook or outside sources.

Four: Comprehensive Case Study Analysis – DUE February 19, 2018
Submit the final comprehensive case study analysis. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. Be sure that this final submission includes an introduction section, which provides an overview of the company and some of the key challenges that it is facing. Also, be sure to include a summary/conclusion section that highlights some of the most important recommendations for improving operations at the company.

Theories and Techniques

· Explain how gross-to-net calculations are processed for material requirements planning (MRP). What specific input files would the company in the case study need to include in this process for a successful MRP? How would you use the MRP information to improve the operations as the manager of this company?

· Explain the four primary priority rules for job sequencing. In what instances at the company might each rule be most advantageous? When would each rule be most disadvantageous? Support your claims with citations from your textbook or outside sources.

Data Analysis

· The company believes that it might have some inefficiencies in its inventory management process. Develop an ABC classification system for the following 10 items. Based on this information, what do you recommend for improving inventory management?

10.00

20.00

Item	Annual Demand	Cost/Unit
I5	1750		10.00
D1	600 0
A2	300 0	50.00
E9	1000		20.00
J8	2 500	5.00
C7	1500	45.00
B8	4000	12.00
G2	300	1 500.00
H2	600
F3	500	500.00

TEMPLATEFOR PART II

BE SURE TO REPLACE ALL RED TEXT. THE WORDS SHOULD NOT BE USED AS AN ANSWER, THEY SERVE AS A GUIDE AND TEMPLATE, NOT THE ANSWER.

Introduction:

Write a brief 2-3 sentence introduction simply describing what Nissan has going on and what we are going to review. …Nissan, like most companies, has explored the use of process management functions. The below paper describes the use of these process management functions and how Nissan may incorporate them into their OM functions.

I. Theories and Techniques

A. Explain the five steps of the theory of constraints (TOC) process. To what processes might the company in the case study apply TOC? Why would applying TOC to these processes be advantageous?

Start with a brief description of what TOC is, after that type out the five steps. I would strongly suggest listing it out like this… The key on your example, don’t get too complex. Also, don’t try to include some of the next steps or description within your step. That is a common hang-up.

Step Nissan

Step 1-Identify the constraint. During this step, Nissan would identify the constraint as a bottleneck in the incoming portion of their supply lines.

Step 2-Develop a plan for overcoming the During this step, Nissan would determine how to unclog identified constraint. The bottleneck through reorganizing their loading dock.

Step 3-

…Etc. If you want, you can even start with a very similar example.

Be sure to use in-text citation for page 306.

B. Describe how total quality management (TQM) principles and tools can be used to improve quality in the latest line of products in the context of the case study.

During this section, write out a handful of sentences on what TQM is, and then a handful on how these tools can be applied through Nissan. Note, please see the text starting on page 208. Two keys, make sure you list the 7 key concepts from the course text. Also, be sure to list a couple of ways that Nissan can use some of these key concepts. IE; Nissan could utilize Six Sigma in order to find and reduce defects within an area of production.

II. Data Analysis

A. Draw a cause-and-effect diagram that assesses why some of the company’s supply chain partners might have struggled to implement some of the company’s newly developed materials. Summarize your findings from the diagram.

During this section, write out a handful of sentences setting up the cause and effect diagram. Something like; Nissan has been struggling to implement new windshields into their Altima model. This cause-and-effect diagram will help Nissan review for a root cause. A key consideration here, be sure to update the excel template for your problem. The problem state should be very short, just list the specific problem, not any causes or solutions. If you have the word because in your problem statement, it isn’t a good problem statement.

Use this template for easy drawing-

Based on our root cause analysis, we find the windshields are not working well because of a porous sealant.
B. Draw a hypothetical process (time-function) map for producing a recently released (within the past two years) product manufactured by the company. As an operations manager, how will you use the value map? Be sure to include your process map within your case study analysis.
This is a swim lane that can be built rather easily in excel.
The first column going down describes your different areas;

Customer
Sales
Production Input
Production
Painting/Detailing
Warehouse
Delivery
Time—
After building the map, note a sentence or two that indicates what you would find as the OM by looking at this map. Many students note excess hold times when building the flow chart so that they can then call out the issue here.
C. Considering the data and options below, determine where the company should locate its new manufacturing plant. Explain why this would be the favorable location.

Factor

Weight

Mexico City

Columbia, SC

Political Risk

.25

Transportation Costs

.20

Labor Productivity

.20

Rental Costs

.15

Labor Costs

.10

Taxes

.10

This is simply weighted average math. Weight column X City = Number
Fact Weight MC Total Colum Total
PR .25 x 70 = 17.5. x80 =20
TC .20 X 40 = 8 x90 =18
Continue this process through..

Political Risk

0.25

17.5

Transportation Costs

0.2

Labor Productivity

0.2

Rental Costs

0.15

13.5

8.25

Labor Costs

0.1

Taxes

0.1

=Mexico’s #

=SC’s #

As you flow through here keep the same logic. Then add the totals for MC v. Columbia SC. The highest number wins. Add in 2-3 sentences indicating; To determine our new production facility, the company used a weighted average calculation. Based on this calculation, the new facility should be located . For the actual decision, other factors may be included, but based on this math, the answer is clearly…

Sheet1

Fishbone Diagram Generator 2.0

Problem Statement

Major Cause Catagories

1 Machines 4 People
2 Methods 5 Environment
3 Materials 6 Systems

Specific Causes

#1 Machines #4 People
—-> Not Trained —-> Wrong Metrics
—-> —-> No Tracking at All
—-> —->
—-> —->

#2 Methods #5 Environment
—-> Not Available —-> Not Accounting Oriented
—-> Wrong Documents —-> Not Important to Leadership
—-> —->
—-> —->

#3 Materials #6 Systems
—-> Not Documented —-> No Integration of Data
—-> Not Followed —-> No Single System
—-> Not Well Defined —->
—-> —->

Step 1:
Problem Statement
Step 2:
Cause Catagories
Step 3: Specific Causes
Step 4: Create Fishbone
Materials won’t work in new system
Finished
Finished
Finished Specific Causes
Enter the problem you are trying to analyze in the white box below. Include as much information on the “what”, “when”, and “how much” of the problem. Click “finished” to continue.
Fill in general cause catagories below. For suggested causes, click on your business type.You can add or change suggested causes if you choose. Click “finished” to continue.
Enter specific causes associated with respective major causes below. Be precise and include data whenever possible. Click “finished” to continue.
Welcome to FreeQuality.org’s Fishbone Diagram Generator 2.0. Following the four simple steps below allows your firm to identify, analyze, and graphically depict with increasing detail, all potential causes related to a problem or current condition in order to discover its root causes. This software is a free service developed by Kevin Dougherty and Tom Smith of the Quality and Manufacturing Management program (QMM) at
The Pennsylvania State University.
For more information about Penn State’s Quality and Manufacturing Management program contact www.ie.psu.edu/qmm
Clear Statement
Clear Specific Causes
This software best viewed with 800 x 600 resolution
Manufacturing
Service Industry
Clear Causes

Sheet2

Fishbone Diagram

If you are unhappy with the fishbone diagram, click on the appropriate buttons below to adjust data

Back to Cause
Catagories
Print Color Diagram
Back to Problem
Back to Specific
Causes
Invoices Not Posted to PMS
Not Followed
Not Trained
No Single System
Not Documented
Not Accounting Oriented
Not Well Defined
Not Important to Leadership
Wrong Documents
No Tracking at All
Wrong Metrics
No Integration of Data
Not Available
Environment
People
Procedures
Systems
Measurement
Source Documents
Back to Main Menu

Sheet3

>Sheet

Generator 2.0

Machines

People

—->

—-> —->

Methods

Environment

—->

—-> —->
—-> —->

Materials

Systems

—->

—-> —->

Fishbone Diagram

Problem Statement

Major Cause Catagories

Machines

People

Methods

Environment

Materials

Systems

Specific Causes

—->

Not Trained

Wrong Metrics

No Tracking at All

Not Available

Not Accounting Oriented

Wrong Documents

Not Important to Leadership

Not Documented

No Integration of Data

Not Followed

No Single System

Not Well Defined

Sheet2

Fishbone Diagram

If you are unhappy with the fishbone diagram, click on the appropriate buttons below to adjust data

Sheet3

BESURE TO REPLACE ALL RED TEXT. THE WORDS SHOULD NOT BE USED AS AN ANSWER, THEY SERVE AS A GUIDE AND TEMPLATE, NOT THE ANSWER.

Introduction:

I. Theories and Techniques

A. Summarize the following theories: just in time (JIT), Toyota Production System (TPS), and Lean. How are these concepts related? Describe the advantages and disadvantages for using each of these concepts at the company presented in the case study.

JIT-A few sentences on how it works, key aspects (forced problem solving, reduced supply cost). The benefit for Nissan using this system would be (think key aspects as those are the positive outcomes). The disadvantage(s) of using this system would be…what could go wrong if you have a very limited supply on hand? JIT-216, 626, 628, 629 (force problem solving reduced costs for supplies). Be sure to note ties to Nissan throughout.

TPS-A few sentences on how it works, key aspects (employee empowerment, improved quality focus). The benefit for Nissan using this system would be (think key aspects as those are the positive outcomes). The disadvantage(s) of using this system would be…does this sound like a cheap approach? TPS-626, 638, 639 (employee empowerment) Be sure to note ties to Nissan throughout.

Lean- A few sentences on how it works, key aspects (exactly, and only what the customer wants). The benefit for Nissan using this system would be (think key aspects as those are the positive outcomes). The disadvantage(s) of using this system would be…what if you don’t know exactly what your customer wants? Lean-626, 640, 641, 642 (exactly, and only, want the customer wants) Be sure to note ties to Nissan throughout.

II. Sustainability

A. Describe how the emerging concept of the triple bottom line can be used to enhance operations management at the company. Be sure to address each component of the triple bottom line.

Triple bottom line = 3 ps. 1st P and 2nd P are only applicable if the 3rd P works (profit). Profit is needed to support the other two. Profit is foundational. Triple Bottom Line (3 Ps). Be sure to note ties to Nissan throughout. What can Nissan do to improve their people consideration? Their planet consideration? Their profit position? I would lay this out as..

Triple bottom line is…(2 sentences)

People; The people component of the triple bottom line focuses on all stakeholders of an organization. Nissan can seek to improve their position in the people category of the triple bottom line by… They can also..

Planet; The planet component of the…

Profit; See above. Profit here is foundational; it is needed to support any of the other two.

B. Explain how the company integrates ISO 14000 standards in its manufacturing plants. Support your explanation with citations from your textbook or outside sources.

Keys; What is ISO 1400? is Nissan ISO certified? Do they use ISO suppliers? What does this mean that they use ISO suppliers? How important is it to them (note-the created an executive position to maintain certification). This section may require google. The answers are easy to find but not in the case study or the course text. The best sources here for the Nissan specific component is their own web sites.

C. Describe ways by which the company can integrate corporate responsibility principles into their operations. Which of these do you believe to be the most effective? Why? Support your opinions with citations from your textbook or outside sources.

What is corporate responsibility? How can Nissan use some of these practices to make a better business. Then, WHICH DO YOU BELIEVE TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE? WHY? Students miss this part all the time. You need to say…”I believe the most effective corporate responsibility action Nissan can take is…” “This is the most effective because…” “To support this position, please see…” You should have sentences in this section that sound very much like that.

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