Assignment: Production Capacity Requirements
Length: 8 to 10 pages.
Research a manufacturing organization of your choice, and describe its strategic manufacturing policy. (Note: You may choose a private-sector or public-sector organization; however, more information will be available for a private-sector, publicly traded company). Your description should consider long-term issues (1-5 years), and include a discussion of the following topics:
a. Products or services
b. Markets and customers
c. Suppliers, vendors, and supply chain partners
d. Facilities (e.g., plants, distribution centers, and so on)
Describe the following characteristics to be included in the strategic planning process:
A. Alignment of manufacturing strategy with corporate/business-level strategy
B. Product/process alternatives (make-to stock, make-to order, etc.)
C. Inventory policies (service levels, order quantity/frequency, etc.)
D. Capacity planning alternatives (chase, level, etc.)
E. Long-range forecasting techniques (quantitative and qualitative)
F. Make or buy decisions (outsourcing, etc.)
G. Interfaces/coordination with other business functions (marketing, etc.)
H. Initiatives to improve operations (continuous improvement, lean/agile, TOC, etc.)
I. Metrics to measure manufacturing performance
a. Cost
b. Quality
c. Speed
d. Reliability/dependability
e. Flexibility
f. Productivity/efficiency/utilization
g. Sustainability
h. Other metrics
Finally, what manufacturing strategy improvements would you suggest for this organization?
Format your assignment according to the give formatting requirements:
a. The answer must be double spaced, typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
b. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the course title, the student's name, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
c. Also include a reference page. The references and Citations should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.