Attached file is the rubric.

Week 1 

DQ 1 

The function of purchasing within an organization has many aspects.  One strategic area is the contribution to profit for the company. Summarize the importance of the purchasing functions and how they can contribute to the profitability of a firm.  Use examples from the text and/or your professional experience to support your views.  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

DQ2

The global marketplace has been impacted by technology recently.  Discuss how technology has impacted the legal aspects of the purchasing process.  Has technology also affected the ethics of purchasing?  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

WEEK 2 

DQ1

Materials management is the process in which materials are converted into final goods.  There is an important relationship between material requirements planning, capacity planning, and inventory management.  Analyze these relationships and provide examples from professional experience and/or text examples to support your views.  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

DQ2 

The "Just in Time" or "JIT" purchasing process is becoming more popular as a strategy for firms across the globe.  Identify two or three purchasing benefits described in the text.  Identify a project that could be implemented to meet these benefits from professional or text examples.  Consider why a project manager would need to have knowledge of JIT, and how it is important to organizations today.  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

WEEK 3

DQ 1 

The purchasing department is a vital component of the entire purchasing cycle.  Identify the steps in the conventional purchasing cycle and describe the differences between buying and purchasing. Provide examples from the text and/or your professional experiences. Give at least one specific example where companies have implemented technologies to streamline the purchasing process.  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

DQ2 

There are three general types of supplier evaluation described in the text in Chapter 8.  Choose one method and describe the details of the method.  Use examples from the text and/or your professional experience on advantages and disadvantages of the system.  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

WEEK 4 

DQ 1 

Evaluate the need for a strategic alliance among supply chain partners. Provide an example from the text and/or your professional experience of a successful strategic alliance. Provide a benefit of this partnership and how a project manager can use this strategy in a project involving purchasing and supply management.  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

DQ2 

Analyze one quality award or initiative that is described in the text in Chapter 12 and give an overview of the process.  Provide an example of a company that uses the quality process and how it has helped their organization with new business and market share.  Use at least one outside reference to support your answer.  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

WeeK 5 

DQ 1 

Bargaining is a powerful tool for project managers at every level of the project.  The text describes the importance of price between the buyer and the seller in relation to purchasing and supply management.  The buyer wants the price generally to be low, and the seller wants the price to be high.  Describe an example where a project manager must use the power of bargaining when working to complete a project on time and on budget.  Provide professional examples where possible or outside research to support your views.  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

DQ 2 

Negotiation is one critical interpersonal skill that a project manager needs to use during the project lifecycle.  Analyze the components of the interpersonal skills in the multimedia assignment this week, and the planning components from a buyers and sellers perspective.  Provide the skills that an effective project manager needs to have to have effective negotiation skills.  Provide professional examples where possible, and information from the text or external resources.  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.

ASSIGNMENT

Read Case 3: AMD Construction in the text (pg. 448-450) and answer the following questions in a three- to -four page, APA formatted paper:

1. Discuss the various steps in the capital equipment acquisition process.
2. Develop a comprehensive analysis of the negotiations between Jane Axle and Tom Reed. (Provide a chart to show financial impacts.)
3. What is your assessment of the negotiations process, given what you have studied?  What are your recommendations for Mr. Reed?  You must justify your conclusions.

Suggestion of format for analysis:

WEEK 6

DQ 1 

Read the article, "Freelancer.com's Matt Barrie on how to Monetise 5 Billion People." Discuss the following:

1. As the article points out, the service sector is growing not only within the United States, but globally. What services might a project manager be able to utilize from a global workforce using the Internet?
2. What benefits might be available when procuring material for a project from a global supply base?

DQ 2

The Critical Path Method is a fundamental topic for all project managers to understand.  Provide examples of a project you have been involved with or read about in the text, and what impact the critical path can have on that project.  The initial post should be 200-400 words.  Respond to at least two of your classmates' postings.