Assignemnt: Operations Management in Action
Overview
When learning about the tools and techniques of Operations Management, it's important to not to approach this in an "abstract" or "academic" way. The discipline has evolved to bring real-world solutions to real-world problems. Organizations that have successfully implemented practices of process analysis, Lean, Six Sigma and other methodologies have often realized significant improvements in performance. In some cases, these improvements have turned them from a path to bankruptcy to a position of market leadership.
Our understanding of the benefits of sound Operations Management practices is strengthened when we study such examples. There is also much to be learned from studying organizations that were unable to adequately address operational challenges and have suffered losses in market share or profitability because of that.
Further, having real-world examples to draw on cannot only help us frame our operational improvement efforts, but can also provide sources of illustration and inspiration for our teams, as we lead them in their pursuit of operational excellence.
Instructions
1. Find a recent article in the Wall Street Journal (or other reputable news source) that discusses an operational win or challenge that a company has gone through which has had a significant impact on its business. In selecting your article:
a. Do not limit your search to organizations in any particular sector. Remember that best practices are everywhere if you are willing to look for them.
b. Identify the wins/challenges that connect to one of the topics we covered in the first four (4) weeks of the course for your first submission and then Weeks 5 through 8 for your second submission.
c. You may select the same organization for both submissions, or you may select a different organization for your second submission.
2. In the "Operations Management in Action" forum link found in Week 4 and Week 8 of the course, submit an original post in which you:
a. Write a brief introductory "executive summary" identifying the organization, the challenge and the current state of affairs. Remember to include a link to the article for easy reference
b. Explain which Operations Management practice this article is most closely associated with
c. Summarize the problem and the impact that the tools had (or could have had) in addressing it
d. Explain how this example can be used as a lesson in your organization to either point to an area of opportunity for a similar win, or to warn of a potential risk that could have significant impact on your business, if left unaddressed
3. Read the posts from your fellow students and add replies and comments for the examples you find most interesting.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also Include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.