Comprehensive Case Study Analysis

QSO 300 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a comprehensive case study analysis. Every business—whether a beauty salon, automobile manufacturer, or
professional baseball team—has an operations component that creates goods and services by transforming inputs into outputs. There are a wide variety of tools and techniques that operations managers draw upon to increase efficiency and effectiveness, creating value for customers. Operations management professionals are in high demand across a variety of industries. Having basic knowledge of operations functions and their integration capabilities is critically important in the world of business. For example, applying the limitations of production in marketing and sales is a routine task. Managing the equipment and supplies needs of operations management is a basic skill looked for in finance and accounting workers.
For your final assessment in this course, you will analyze a case study that addresses several key operations management fundamentals. You will use the tools and techniques that operations managers use and incorporate your instructor’s feedback into the final summative analysis. You will address the typical problems that operations managers face using the knowledge you have gained from this course. Finally, you will discuss the emerging concepts of sustainability in business management, specifically the topics of corporate responsibility and environmental compliance.
The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, and Five. The final project is due in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
 Evaluate the influence of operations functions on generating value for a firm and its customers
 Explain theories and techniques used by operations managers for informing production processes
 Accurately apply problem-solving and decision-making skills to real-world problems using quantitative and qualitative methodologies
 Integrate emerging principles into operations management functions by addressing corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability
Prompt
Using the knowledge you have gained from this course, you will write a comprehensive analysis of the case study we have been analyzing throughout this course (located in the Reading and Resources area of Module One) by addressing the critical elements below.
Imagine that you are hired into the role of the operations manager at the company described in the case study. Although there are many issues facing the company, you have some experience and are well qualified to provide direction in solving these problems. To address many of the questions below, you will want to review your submissions from previous modules and incorporate instructor feedback. Using the case study, course materials, and outside sources, prepare a cohesive case study analysis for submission as one document.

Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I.
Generating Value
A. Evaluate how the company in the case study uses operations management functions to provide products and generate value for its customers.
Support your claims with examples from the case study or outside sources.
B. Assess how this company achieves a competitive advantage using operations management. Provide examples found in the case study or outside
sources to support your reasoning.
C. Compare and contrast service operations and manufacturing operations at the company in the case study. How are they the same? How do they
differ? How does each of these operations provide value for their customers?
Theories and Techniques
A. Explain how gross-to-net calculations are processed for material requirements planning (MRP). What specific input files would the company in
the case study need to include in this process for a successful MRP? How would you use the MRP information to improve the operations as the
manager of this company?
B. Compare and contrast the critical path method (CPM) and the program evaluation and review technique (PERT). What types of projects at this
company would favor PERT over CPM? Why? What types of projects at this company would favor CPM over PERT? Why?
C. Explain the four primary priority rules for job sequencing. In what instances at the company might each rule be most advantageous? When
would each rule be most disadvantageous? Support your claims with citations from your textbook or outside sources.
D. Explain the five steps of the theory of constraints (TOC) process. To what processes might the company in the case study apply TOC? Why would
applying TOC to these processes be advantageous?
E. Explain the steps used to develop a forecasting system. How would these steps be specifically utilized by this company? What do you predict
would be the result of implementing a forecasting system for the top-selling product line at this company?
F. List the major categories of supply chain risk and associated risk-reduction tactics. How could the company mitigate exposure to supply chain
disruptions caused by natural disasters?
G. Summarize the following theories: just in time (JIT), Toyota Production System (TPS), and Lean. How are these concepts related? Describe the
advantages and disadvantages for using each of these concepts at the company presented in the case study.
H. Describe how total quality management (TQM) principles and tools can be used to improve quality in the latest line of products in the context of
the case study.
Data Analysis
A. Draw a hypothetical process (time-function) map for producing a recently released (within the past two years) product manufactured by the company. As an operations manager, how will you use the value map? Be sure to include your process map within your case study analysis.
B. Draw a cause-and-effect diagram that assesses why some of the company’s supply chain partners might have struggled to implement some of the company’s newly developed materials. Summarize your findings from the diagram.
C. Considering the data and options below, determine where the company should locate its new manufacturing plant. Explain why this would be the favorable location.
II.
III.

Factor
Political Risk Transportation Costs Labor Productivity Rental Costs Labor Costs Taxes
Weight Mexico City
.25 70 .20 40 .20 85 .15 90 .10 80 .10 90
Columbia, SC
80
90
75
55
50
50
D. The company believes that it might have some inefficiencies in its inventory management process. Develop an ABC classification system for the following 10 items. Based on this information, what do you recommend for improving inventory management?
Item
I5 D1 A2 E9 J8 C7 B8 G2 H2 F3
Annual Demand
1750
6000
3000
1000
2500
1500
4000
300
600
500
Cost/Unit
10.00 10.00 50.00 20.00 5.00 45.00 12.00 1500.00 20.00 500.00
IV. Sustainability
A. Describe how the emerging concept of the triple bottom line can be used to enhance operations management at the company. Be sure to
address each component of the triple bottom line.
B. Explain how the company integrates ISO 14000 standards in its manufacturing plants. Support your explanation with citations from your textbook
or outside sources.
C. Describe ways through which the company can integrate corporate responsibility principles into their operations. Which of these do you believe
to be the most effective? Why? Support your opinions with citations from your textbook or outside sources.

Milestones
Milestone One: Managing Operations
In Module Two, you will submit a managing operations case study analysis, which evaluates how the company featured in the case study uses operations management functions to provide products and generate value for its customers and how it achieves a competitive advantage using operations management, among other critical elements. To complete this milestone, you will use the case study, your own independent research, and the course materials. This milestone is graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Quality, Process, and Location Analysis
In Module Four, you will submit a quality, process, and location analysis case study analysis that addresses the typical problems that operations managers face. To complete this milestone, you will use the case study, your own independent research, and the course materials. This milestone is graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Sustaining Operations
In Module Five, you will submit a sustaining operations case study analysis that discusses the emerging concepts of sustainability in business management, specifically the topics of corporate responsibility and environmental compliance. To complete this milestone, you will use the case study, your own independent research, and the course materials. This milestone is graded with the Milestone Three Rubric.
Final Submission: Comprehensive Case Study Analysis
In Module Seven, you will submit your final comprehensive case study analysis. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. If you have not included it already, be sure that this final submission includes an introduction section, which provides an overview of the company and some of the key challenges that it is facing. Also, be sure to include a summary/conclusion section that highlights some of your most important recommendations for improving operations at the company. This will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.
Milestone
Deliverables
Deliverable Milestones Module Due
Grading
1 Milestone One: Managing Operations
2 Milestone Two: Quality, Process, and
Location Analysis
3 Milestone Three: Sustaining Operations
Final Product: Comprehensive Case Study Analysis
Two Four
Five Seven
Graded separately; Milestone One Rubric Graded separately; Milestone Two Rubric
Graded Separately; Milestone Three Rubric Graded separately; Final Project Rubric
Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Written components of projects must follow these formatting guidelines when applicable: double spacing, 12-point Times New
Roman font, one-inch margins, and citations in APA style. This assignment should be 10–12 pages in length, not including cover page and resources

Utilize information from industry and scholarly sources to inform problem solving and decision making. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to solve problems and make decisions that impact organizations and their stakeholders.

Competencies
In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competencies:
Utilize information from industry and scholarly sources to inform problem solving and decision making
Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to solve problems and make decisions that impact organizations and their
stakeholders
Communicate professionally to diverse internal and external audiences
Scenario
Your presentation to the leadership panel of your company was well received. Now you must create a presentation for a wider audience—stakeholders from inside and outside the company—and include your decisions and recommendations, which were approved by the leadership panel. Remember that your presentation must convey professionalism and be visually appealing as well as informative.
Directions
Create a presentation of your research and data findings from Project Two including your decision and rationale.
Construct a professional business presentation for internal and external stakeholders.
Identify your key message to both internal and external stakeholders.
Illustrate your key points using visualizations.
Tell your story.
Specifically include the following in your presentation:
Communicate your decision about diversification based on your analysis of the data and research.
Use visualizations to tell the story of the (quantitative and qualitative) data.
Determine the likelihood of success based on the data and research collected.
Discuss the impact that moving to the new industry will have on the organization and its internal and external stakeholders.
Detail your recommendations for moving forward.
Summarize findings of the research performed.
Include research conclusions and reasoning.
Describe the rationale behind your recommendations.
What to Submit
To complete this project, you must submit a Powerpoint presentation of 10 to 15 slides including speaker notes. Sources should be cited according to APA style.

Motivation Journal

Assignment Instructions:
– You will write 200-word MAX reflection on the following video exercise
– Try this exercise twice and explain your experiences with this exercise (first time and second time doing it).
The following questions can be used to guide your reflection
A) How did you react to the prompt the first and second time doing it?
B) Did you find it difficult to hold your attention through the entire exercise?
C) What sort of thoughts came into your head as you were doing this exercise?
Video Link: https://youtu.be/Jholcb8Gz0M

A Letter of self compassion

This specific exercise is called “A Letter of Self-Compassion”. You start with choosing an aspect of yourself that you dislike and criticize. It may be an appearance, career, relationships, health, etc.
Write in detail about how this perceived inadequacy makes you feel. What thoughts, images, emotions, or stories come up when you think about it?
Next, imagine someone who is unconditionally loving, accepting, and supportive. This friend sees your strengths and opportunities for growth, including the negative aspects about you. The friend accepts and forgives, embracing you kindly just as you are.
Now write a letter to yourself from the perspective of this kind friend. What does he or she say to you? How does this friend encourage and support you in taking steps to change? Let the words flow and don’t stress about structure or phrasing.

The Patriot Act

This paper is to have an abstract, introduction, body, conclusion, and a bibliography. A minimum of three sources are required; Wikipedia is not a source.
References and citations are to be in APA format with one-inch margins.
The paper is to be a minimum of three pages of text material. You must use a size 12 font with one-inch margins. You may double space your paper.
Proper grammar and spelling are required.

What are the two things that Embodied Cognition, as a way of doing science about the mind, resists? Identify each of these two mainstays of traditional philosophy of mind. Explain in your own words why and how EC seeks to offer an alternative to these two common assumptions about mind, to the best of your understanding so far.

Short essay questions: For questions 1 and 2, I suggest at least three paragraphs for your response. Responses should make reference to the assigned readings only, should use quotes, and should offer original interpretations and examples to demonstrate your understanding of terms, quotes, etc.
1. What are the two things that Embodied Cognition, as a way of doing science about the mind, resists? Identify each of these two mainstays of traditional philosophy of mind. Explain in your own words why and how EC seeks to offer an alternative to these two common assumptions about mind, to the best of your understanding so far. (4 points)
2. Define and explain the concept of intentionality. How have different authors used this term? Why is it important to EC? (4 points)

Business Plan Mission Stmt/ Competitive Advantage

1. Competitive Advantage- Entrepreneurship Portfolio-Critical Thinking Exercise 3-1 through 3-6. Complete items 1 through 6, which require you to create charts similar to the exhibits 3-4 and 3-6 in the text book for this assignment.
2. Calculate Gross Profit for A and B.
Gross profit is the profit of a business before which other costs are subtracted? What is the average unit of sale for the following businesses?
A. A restaurant that serves $3250 in meals to 225 customers per day.
B. A record store that sells $2600 worth of CDs to 80 customers per day, but has 112 customers come in to the store.
3. Biz Builder Business Plan:
Complete business plan section 2.0, Mission, Vision and Culture: A, B C & D sections- for your specific business. Be sure to write as a narrative than just simply answering the questions. Remember your audience.

Explain why the three issues (increasing costs, lack of access, and concerns about quality) are interrelated and why they pose the greatest challenges to health care delivery in the United States.

Module Six Assignment
Start Assignment

Explain why the three issues (increasing costs, lack of access, and concerns about quality) are interrelated and why they pose the greatest challenges to health care delivery in the United States.
(See Syllabus Addendum for complete assignment guide and grading rubric; place completed assignment in assignment folder by posted due date. The paper must be at least 3 pages long and have at least 3 references).

Tramatic brain injury

This is for a speech language pathologist called neurogeni communication disorder. Please follow all instructions. I included some resource pages and a website to use for the assignment

Find a video describing the experience of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivor.
share the link, and
describe three functional deficits this individual might have, and
three activities of daily living that would be impacted by the individual’s injury.
name two deficits you might treat with this individual, and
describe your treatment approach.

website- https://uthealtheasttexas.com/news/importance-rehabilitation-after-brain-injury

There are many outside forces impinging on scientific research today. What kinds of pressures affect scientist’s objectivity in research? What policy decisions would be best to stop such pressures, or at least slow them?

Essay (25 points). There are many outside forces impinging on scientific research today. What kinds of pressures affect scientist’s objectivity in research? What policy decisions would be best to stop such
pressures, or at least slow them? (25 points are possible for this essay).
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24 minutes ago

There are many outside forces impinging on scientific research today. What kinds of pressures affect scientist’s objectivity in research? What policy decisions would be best to stop such pressures, or at least slow them?

Any opinion of mine outside the content of logic is just my opinion as a “layman”. As people say when giving financial advice, “Do your own research.” If you do your own research, be sure to find as many primary sources as you can such as peer-reviewed journal articles on both sides of the issue you are studying.