Business Question

The objective of this activity is to bring together the topics of the course and to place the role of operations and projects in perspective relative to other business functions. The activity project requires the identification, evaluation, analysis, development, and implementation plan for an operations improvement activity.

Please use this textbook only Collier, D., & Evans, J. (2021). Operations & Supply Chain Management. Boston: Cengage.

The final paper is required describing the complete activity. The paper may be approximately 7-10 pages (not including graphics, cover and reference pages). One page of the paper will be a preliminary abstract for approval and the remaining pages will be for the body of the paper. See the course schedule for due dates.

The paper should discuss the design of a new or improved process in an organization of your choice. The process should be designed to increase functionality or to reduce cost and/or to improve service. You are trying to improve the organization’s performance, productivity, and efficiency through operations improvements. The paper should focus primarily on operations issues. Links to marketing management and financial management may be indicated.

The operations management decisions to be addressed include but are not limited to: (a) operations strategy, competitive priorities, and positioning the firm in the marketplace; (b) process choice; (c) project choice. These decisions should be addressed for the project or service. Hypothetical data may be used but it should be realistic. Document all literature and Internet sources. The value of the operations improvement or project should be explained.

The paper should begin with the business objectives and any market and/or financial assumptions. The operation should be described in detail. Each of the decisions should be addressed in its own section. Namely: topic identification, topic evaluation, topic analysis, topic development, and implementation plan. By the end of the paper, it should be obvious that the operations decisions are consistent with the overall business objectives and the distinctive competency of the business.

An abstract (summary) of your planned activity is required (Week 3). The company/organization name should be centered on the page (at the top) in capital letters. The proposal abstract should be single-spaced on one page. Due date is indicated in the course schedule.