104. Operations Management & Quantitative Techniques Questions
Answer the 6 questions separately. Be sure to answer each part of each question.
1. Forecasting Models
From Chapter 9, answer Discussion Question 1: Which forecasting techniques do you think should be used in calculating fuel prices? Time series models? Qualitative models? In casual modeling, what types of independent variables might be used? Justify your answer.
Chapter 7: Supply Management
Chapter 9: Forecasting
Chapter 8: Logistics
2. Pros and Cons of Outsourcing
From Chapter 7 readings, answer: What are some of the pros and cons of outsourcing? Why do you think many organizations are experiencing an increase in their levels of outsourcing?
Chapter 7: Supply Management
Chapter 9: Forecasting
Chapter 8: Logistics
3. Level vs. Chase Production Plan
From the end of Chapter 10, answer Discussion Question 3: In general, under what conditions might a firm favor a level production plan over a chase plan? A chase production plan over a level plan?
Chapter 10: Sales and Operations Planning (Aggregate Planning)
Chapter 11: Managing Inventory throughout the Supply Chain
Chapter 12: Managing Production across the Supply Chain
4. JIT/EOQ/ROP Interrelationships
From the end of Chapter 11, answer Discussion Question 6: The just-in-time (JIT) movement has long argued that firms should
a. Maximize their process flexibility so that ordering costs are minimal;
b. Stabilize demand levels;
c. Shrink lead times as much as possible; and
d. Assign much higher holding costs to inventory than has traditionally been the case.
Using the economic order quantity (EOQ) and reorder point (ROP) formulas, explain how such efforts would be consistent with JIT\’s push for lower inventory levels
Chapter 10: Sales and Operations Planning (Aggregate Planning)
Chapter 11: Managing Inventory throughout the Supply Chain
Chapter 12: Managing Production across the Supply Chain
5. ERP Solutions
From the end of Chapter 12S, answer Discussion Question 3: SAP is the world leader in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems software, and has developed tailored ERP systems for different industries. Go to SAP Industry Solutions and examine the solutions for (1) a service industry and (2) a manufacturing industry of your choice. How are they similar? How are they different?
Chapter 12S: Supply Chain Information Systems
Chapter 13: JIT/Lean Production
6. Calculation of Kanban Cards
From the end of Chapter 13, answer Discussion Question 4: The chapter notes that kanban is not a planning tool but a control mechanism. What does this mean? How does the Marsica MRP-kanban example in Example 13.4 in Chapter 13 of the textbook illustrate the point?
Chapter 12S: Supply Chain Information Systems
Chapter 13: JIT/Lean Production
Text referenced: Bozarth, C.C. and Handfield, R.B. (2015). Introduction to operations and supply chain management (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN: 9780132747325
Website
SAP Industry Solutions
http://www.sap.com/index.epx#/industries/index.