Operations Management Questions

1. Discussion:

This week's readings on Process Strategy and Types of Processes describe process strategies being supported by one or more types of processes, from distinct projects to continuous processes. Many actual operations or processes contain elements of several process types.

Provide an example of an operation or process where several types of processes are combined to support a particular process strategy.
• Identify each type of process.
• Explain how the process strategy supports the competitive priorities of the company.

2. Discussion:

Process mapping is a valuable tool for documenting the sequence or flow of activities in a process, and for analyzing the process flow to identify improvement opportunities.

Consider key processes at your organization and develop a process map (do not submit map in online Discussion).

• Describe the process and include relevant process metrics (capacity, processing times, throughput, defect rates).
• Does the current process maximize capacity and throughput, or are there bottlenecks or wasteful activities present?
• What changes would you recommend to improve this process flow?

3. Discussion:

This week, you've read about a range of organizations that have used Lean principles to reduce inventory, eliminate waste, and improve processes.

Describe how Lean has been applied, or could be applied, to the operations of your organization.

• What challenges have you seen, or do you anticipate, in deploying Lean in your organization?
• How would you address those challenges?

4. Discussion:

Quality of products and services has an organization-wide impact, and should be a significant consideration for operations management professionals. Six Sigma enables companies to reduce defects and improve overall performance.

Select two of this week's readings and describe your key takeaways.

Summarize how and where a DMAIC and/or DMADV project has been applied, or could be applied, in your organization. Or summarize how you would apply (or have applied) DMAIC and/or DMADV projects in your chosen course project.

5. Discussion:

Product design is another crucial element in the success of an organization. This week's articles present examples of how integrating product design into operations management can support organizational strategy and provide competitive advantage.

Describe your key takeaways from this week's two articles.

Describe how product design has been effective or ineffective in your organization.

• What do you think are the reasons for this success or lack of success?

6. Discussion:

Today's operations management includes managing inventory and global supply chains. This week, you read articles on service inventory and incentives in a supply chain.

What types of inventory are relevant to your organization?

• How is inventory controlled and managed?

• If "service inventory" (as described in this week's article) is relevant, describe how it is used to improve performance.

Describe how incentives have been, or could be, incorporated into the supply chain of your organization.

7. Discussion:

Many companies turn to outsourcing or offshoring in order to decrease costs and increase profitability.

Based on this week's articles, describe your key takeaways on how outsourcing can help organizations become more competitive.

• What are some of the benefits and risks of outsourcing?

How has outsourcing been used, or how could it be used, in your organization?

• Include details about the potential risks and benefits.

8. Discussion:

Throughout this course, you've had opportunities to explore, analyze, and discuss the ten strategic operations management decision areas: Design of goods and services, Managing quality, Process and capacity design, Location strategy, Layout strategy, Human resources and job design, Supply-chain management, Inventory management, Scheduling, and Maintenance.

Choose one of the National Geographic videos to view and analyze. Select two (of the ten) operations management areas and describe how they are addressed by the featured company.

9. Discussion:

Use this discussion thread to discuss your observations from participating in the Root Beer Game.

Do you think your experience demonstrated the bullwhip effect common to supply chains?

• Why or why not?

• What changes in the supply chain process or practices might mitigate the bullwhip effect?