Researching Majors/Training Program using SII: Now that you have the Strong Interest Inventory results, this assignment is to help you use the information obtained from the Strong Interest test to be

Managing and Leading Operations

BUS6030

Week Two

Business Programs

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Week Two Introduction:

This week we begin to look at processes. For many, the process view is a different way of thinking. Processes can make an organization successful or severely handicap its ability to serve. Think about organizations that you deal with that have either really great processes or really bad ones. Deming, the American who taught the Japanese about quality, said that 85% of an organization's problems were process related. The processes belong to management, not the workers. In other words, 85% of the problems in an organization belong to management.

If you were to visit ten churches in your area, likely at least several congregations would welcome you as a visitor. They would know you were new to their church and make certain you felt happy you came to their church. Then there would probably be several churches that acted as if they had no clue whether you attended their church regularly or not. What's the difference? Some churches place enough emphasis on welcoming visitors that they have “processes” for identifying new people and making them feel special. Other churches hope that new people will go to the Welcome Center and identify themselves. Be cognizant of good processes and ineffective ones.

Week Two Objectives:

1. Apply Christian principles in critical thinking.

2. Research how an organization currently uses processes.

3. Discuss the relationship between operation processes and organizational strategy.

4. Select and justify three critical metrics for measurement and analysis.

5. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of benchmarking.

Week Two Course Materials:

Jacobs, F. R., & Chase, R. (2013). Operations and supply chain management (14th ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Week Two Reading:

Text: Operations and Supply Chain Management

Chapter 3: Design of Products and Services

Chapter 4: Project Management

Week Two Schedule:

Learning Activity 2.1: Devotional

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Luke 10: 1-12 (ESV)

In this passage from Luke, Jesus sent out 72 of his followers to spread the good news that God’s Kingdom had come. Jesus taught them a process that He wanted them to follow. He made it very clear how he wanted his mission carried out. He described a process he wanted followed with no deviation.

Good processes should be followed completely with no deviation. Bad processes should be changed to become good processes and then followed without deviation.

Objective

• Apply Christian principles in critical thinking. (2.1)

Instructions

1. Read the devotional above and think about the idea of deviating from God’s instructions.

2. In the discussion forum for this week reflect on the following questions:

   1. Why do people feel the need to deviate from clear direction?

   2. Will that always result in a negative outcome, or can God use that for His purpose?

3. Post your thoughts in the discussion forum titled Wk2 Devotional.

4. Responding to the posts of other students is not required, but is encouraged.

Learning Activity 2.2: Real World Process - Interview

Introduction and Purpose of Assignment

Virtually every facet of life involves one or multiple processes. Every process has a goal, a mission. Even before we go to sleep we go through a process of preparing for it. When the alarm we set last night rings, it becomes the first step of the process for the next day. Each of us has subconsciously built our own processes. Beginning this week, we will challenge you to identify, research, analyze, and report about processes employed in a variety of applications. These will help heighten your awareness and insight into the role that process plays in everything we do.

Objectives

Upon completion of this assignment you should be able to research how an organization currently uses processes to establish standardized, controlled steps to achieve consistency in its various operations. (2.2)

Theory and Context

The construction of processes, whether they provide a service or are used to build a truck, are critical to the efficiency, effectiveness, profitability, and flow of the production. You will select a company or organization to visit and interview to gain greater insight.

Instructions

1. This week you are to interview someone in the supply chain field to discuss the process their company uses in its moving of goods.

   1. Before calling or visiting, consider your questions carefully. You may choose any company you wish. Local carriers might be best.

2. Write out your interview questions and findings in a 2-3 page paper.

3. Submit your exercise to your facilitator in the dropbox titled Wk2 Real World Process – Interview by the end of the week.

Grading Guide or Rubric:

Learning Activity 2.3: Processes and Strategy

Introduction and Purpose of Assignment

How are operation processes selected? Do they seem to support the organization’s strategy? The video included in the resources below provides some insight into operation processes in some different industries.

Objectives

• Discuss the relationship between operation processes and organizational strategy. (2.3)

Theory and Context

Operation processes should be selected which will support the operational strategy. Failure to provide alignment between the two will prevent organizations from being successful.

Resources

VEA Australia-New Zealand. (2013). Operations processes: Inputs, transformations, outputs [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TvMAf5Zdao

Instructions

1. Using an organization you are familiar with, respond to the questions raised in the Introduction above.

   1. How are operation processes selected?

   2. Do they seem to support the organization’s strategy?

   3. In your response, make sure to include some basic information about the organization that you are referring to in your response for the benefit of your classmates.

2. Post your responses in the discussion forum titled Wk2 Processes and Strategy.

3. Use the Discussion Rubric below to ensure you have met all the criteria for this assignment.
   

Grading Guide or Rubric: Discussion Rubric

Learning Activity 2.4: Selecting What Metrics to Measure

Introduction and Purpose of Assignment

In manufacturing, as with any set of processes, there can be innumerable processes to track and measure. But how do we know what are the most important areas to measure? In this assignment you will choose three metrics to measure to maintain quality control and customer satisfaction.

Objectives

Upon completion of this assignment you should be able to select and justify three critical metrics for measurement and analysis. (2.4)

Theory and Context

After reading the assigned blog posting, you will select three metrics you deem as the most critical to measure. Consider those that most influence control quality and which, in turn, foster superior performance and customer satisfaction. You can assume your customer cannot afford breakdowns, so quality and product longevity are highly prized.

Resources

Davidson, M. (2013, October 9). 28 manufacturing metrics that actually matter (The ones

We rely on). Retrieved from http://blog.lnsresearch.com/blog/bid/188295/28-Manufacturing-Metrics-that-Actually-Matter-The-Ones-We-Rely-On

Instructions

1. Read the blog above, “28 Manufacturing Metrics that Actually Matter.”

2. Review the 28 metrics they have deemed as the ones to track.

3. Select what you believe are the top three to ensure quality and customer satisfaction and why.

4. Post your responses in the discussion forum titled Wk2 Selecting What Metrics to Measure.

5. Use the Discussion Rubric below to ensure you have met all the criteria for this assignment.

Grading Guide or Rubric: Discussion Rubric

Learning Activity 2.5: Benchmarking Paper

Introduction and Purpose of Assignment

Benchmarking is a tool that allows organizations to identify opportunities for improvement. There are a variety of ways to benchmark – each having its own advantages and disadvantages. Knowing which type of benchmarking to select is important in process analysis.

Objectives

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of benchmarking. (2.5)

Resources

Website: BRIR.com - What is Benchmarking? Retrieved from

http://www.bpir.com/benchmarking-what-is-benchmarking-bpir.com.html

Instructions

1. Write a 3-4 page paper discussing an organization you are familiar with (or part of the organization), which type of benchmarking would be the best to use, and some key metrics that might be used for comparisons, including defenses of those choices.

2. To achieve maximum points for content and analysis, the following elements should be thoroughly addressed:

   1. Discuss an area (or department) of an organization that you are familiar with that could potentially benefit from benchmarking and explain why it could potentially benefit.

   2. Explain which type of benchmarking (competitive or internal) would be most beneficial and why.

   3. Identify some (at least 3) measurements that might be used for comparative purposes and explain why these might be beneficial. Make sure this response supports your decision to use competitive or internal benchmarking.

3. Meet expectations provided in Paper Writing rubric.

4. Provide at least three academic resources.

5. Submit the paper to your facilitator as an attachment in the dropbox titled Wk2 Benchmarking Paper by the end of the week.

Grading Guide or Rubric: Paper Writing Rubric