Assignment Unit 5: Operations Management
Introduction
Continuing last unit’s areas of focus (program/project management as viewed through an accounting/finance frame of reference) this week’s focus will be viewing business operations management through an accounting/finance frame. As with the last unit, the area of accounting/finance that applies to this unit’s work is measurement and metrics. The results of a business operation require measurement and metrics (including financial ratios) to demonstrate that the business is performing as expected and providing evidence of the quality of the results. You will have an opportunity to explore these issues as you discuss this week’s case study and as you examine a case study in this week’s written assignment.
Reading Assignment
All course textbooks are accessible through the Syllabus or through the course’s “Textbook” page. If there are any additional, non-textbook Reading Assignments for this Unit, their access/location information will be provided below.
Introduction to business. (2012). Lardbucket.org. Chapter 12 – The Role of Accounting in Business, Chapter 12, section 4 pp. 623-637.
Knowles, G. (2011). Quality management. Bookboon.com. Download the pdf. Chapter 9 and Chapter 15.
Knowles, G. (2011). Six sigma. Bookboon.com. Download the pdf. Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 19.
Case Studies
Erer, M. (2013). The Improvement Project of Science Construction PLC. Journal of Business Case Studies, 9(1), 227-234.
King, W. & Stapleton, D. (1993). Improving Production at Bioethic Fish Processors, Ltd. Acadia Institute for Case Studies. Acadia University. Copyright © 1993, the Atlantic Entrepreneurial Institute. Reproduction of this case is allowed without permission for educational purposes, but all such reproduction must acknowledge the copyright. This permission does not include publication.
- Discussion Assignment (3 PAGES)
Please discuss the case study, Improving Production at Beothic Fish, focusing the following elements of the case:
- Identify the problem
- Diagnose the cause(s)
- The case study indicates that the general manager plans on reorganizing the floor plan of the plant. Offer your recommendations on how to reorganize the floor plan. Please also offer what metrics should be used to determine if the reorganized floor plan is effective.
- Written Assignment (3PAGES)
In this paper, please discuss The Improvement Project of Science Construction PLC case study. In doing so, please address the following areas:
- Identify the problem: What financial metrics support the problem you identified?
- Diagnose the cause(s): Describe the root cause. How does this cause link to the financial metrics you have selected
- Prescribe possible alternatives
- Recommend a plan of action (decision/implementation): How do you measure success?
- In addition, each case study response should also state why this case is important and relevant to a study of business.
Support your observations with research and logic. Discuss what limitations exist with the case study information provided. What other material would be important to your analysis?
Submit a 3-page case paper, (independent of reference page) double-spaced. Paper and all citations should be in APA format.