In this module, you learned about the components involved in the effective management of operations.
You will use your focus company to help you complete this assessment. Details on the focus area for each assessment that utilizes this company can be reviewed in the folder entitled "Focus Company" located at the top of the Learning Modules Section.
In this discussion, you will examine whether you think your company is practicing effective management of operations.
Operations management information is usually found by reviewing the company's consumer website as well as by reviewing the Annual Report (see Investor Relations section), annual Form 10-K which can usually be accessed through the Investor Relations section of their website and can always be accessed through the Filings Section of the Securities Exchange Commission website.
Summarize the following items in support of your conclusion. In your post, make sure to address the following:
- Describe the four steps that the company would use in the control process and provide an example for each.
- Select a product sold by or a service provided by this company and describe how it would utilize operations control in the areas of preliminary, screening, and postaction control. Make sure to provide an example of each. Do you think your company is following these steps? Provide at least one example that supports your opinion.
- One of the tools of financial control discussed in this module is referred to as an annual financial audit. Your focus company is required to have an annual audit and make the report available on its website which can usually be found in the Investor Relations section. Locate this report and turn to the section entitled "Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm." Describe the contents of this report, including the type of control that the auditor refers to.
- Assume that you were hired as the CEO of your focus company and needed to decide on the type of structural control which would be most appropriate (i.e. bureaucratic or decentralized). Describe the type of structural control that you would implement and indicate the advantage of the approach.