Category: Operations Management homework help

Prepare
For this discussion, examine a quality improvement program. Choose to examine the quality improvement program from a quality improvement program from a long-term care facility that you will research online. Be sure that you can talk about the following areas of your chosen program:
Structures.
Processes.
Outcomes.
Regulatory minimum standards.
Respond
In this discussion preparation, you were asked to examine the quality improvement program from a long-term care facility. Address the following:
Describe the current quality improvement program chosen as part of the Discussion Preparation this week. Focus on the areas listed below and specify the main roles involved in this program.
Structures
Processes
Outcomes
Regulatory minimum standards.
Determine whether this quality improvement program is aligned with Deming’s Process Improvement Cycle.
Provide a rationale for your determination.

“United Airline Pilot Shortage”
In this course, you will study production management. As part of the course, you will analyze an aviation or aerospace industrial management issue related to production/operations management, write a research paper, and create a presentation.
Considering the 10 OM decisions, your paper will be a review of issues that were caused by a failure in the production/operations management process. You will compare and contrast the current research findings with the principles and concepts presented in your Heizer, et al. textbook.
All reference sources should be from academic journals, professional trade publications, and respected business or industry magazines. Limit the use of books as sources. Do NOT use articles or sources from Wikipedia! Use references published within the past six years.
The basic rules for your research paper include:
Follow the current Writing Style Guide for manuscripts closely.
The paper should be 10 pages at a minimum.
Use one-inch margins on all sides.
Left justify all narrative.
Use Times New Roman font, 12-point.
Indent the first line of each paragraph one-half inch.
Double-space everything in the paper. Do not add extra lines or spacing between paragraphs or sections of the paper.
After you write your research paper, you will create a five minute narrated presentation using Canvas Studio. Your presentation should meet this basic criterion.
Title slide with the topic, course number, and author (student) identified.
Overview or introduction slide to describe the presentation content.
A sufficient number of slides to convey the method and findings of the review.
Audio that further describes the slide content.
Summary or conclusion slide to close the presentation.
Reference list to show the sources cited within the presentation.
Video, animation, or other supporting elements as desired to enhance the presentation.
The presentation will be due by day three of Module 9.
Review the Presentation Guide for assistance in creating your presentation.
For research papers, it should be a concise statement of the main topic of the research and should identify the variables or theoretical issues under investigation and the relationship between them. Although there is no prescribed limit for title length in APA Style, authors are encouraged to keep their titles focused and succinct. I would focus on one company or airline company and talk about the issues and causes of this shortage, but you need to incorporate these elements in your title. Considering the 10 OM decisions, your paper will be a review of issues that were caused by a failure in the production/operations management process. You will compare and contrast the current research findings with the principles and concepts presented in your Heizer, et al. textbook

As part of the short-term scheduling process, a manager must assign tasks and resources (usually machines and people) to accomplish the job with the objective of minimizing total cost. In this activity, you will use the assignment method to do that.
You work in a production facility that produces widgets. You have four different machines that can produce the same part; however, since each machine is different, the production cost is different. You are responsible for assigning jobs to machines, and you need to make sure to minimize the total cost to produce the widgets.
Calculate the best job assignments based on resources as shown in the following chart.
—CHART IS ATTACHED AS FILE—
Use Excel or the Excel OM Assignment module to calculate the best job assignments based on resources as shown in the chart.
When using Excel OM
If you are using Excel OM, please make sure you have the Excel Solver Add-in enabled for this assignment. It may already be enabled in your Excel, to make sure, follow the steps below:
Go to File –> Options –> Add-ins –> You should see “Solve Add-in” under Active Application Add-ins.
If it is not enabled, follow these steps to enable it:
Select “Solve Add-in” from the manage menu at the bottom of the window. Click Go.
Check “Solve Add-in” box and press OK.
After you determine the best job assignment, indicate on your spreadsheet the minimum cost that the company will incur based on this assignment.

Use: Business Operations
Logistics Management
Remember, your goal is to increase efficiency in the area of your choice. Ask yourself “What if we could . . .  [your idea]?” 
Your assignment is to explain an approach different from the one you explained in the discussion forum. Outline the problem or inefficiency with details about how the process is impacting the organization’s effectiveness. Use graphical aids where possible to demonstrate the issue(s) and the possibilities for improvements.
Think about how to increase efficiency in any of an organization’s fundamental areas, and consider what could be done to improve the process. You may use your own company as an example. Identify a fundamental area in your organization in which there is an inefficiency. 
In your paper,
Describe the context of the problem or inefficiency you’ve identified.

Provide enough details for your reader to understand why what is happening is currently inefficient or ineffective.

Explain the current process providing appropriate supporting details.
Explain the processes of the new approach that would be more efficient for getting the task, job, or work done in your organization.
Provide a detailed evaluation describing how the accuracy and/or the efficiency would be improved by the alternative approach or process.
The What If We Could…? paper
Example possibilities for alternative approaches might include the following:
Combining reports

Would one report be better than two or three? Why?

Mobile apps

Are there possible efficiencies here? How?

Desktop notifications

Is it important to get immediate feedback? Why?

Team environment or collaboration tools

Could this eliminate wasted time or lost documents? How?

Automate manual processes

Examples include opening mail, sorting, or delivery. Could these be automated? How?

Must be at least three pages double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA StyleLinks to an external site. as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA Formatting for Microsoft Word Links to an external site.resource.
Must include a separate title page with the following:

Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted

Must utilize academic voice. See the Academic VoiceLinks to an external site.resource for additional guidance.
Must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.

For assistance on writing Introductions & ConclusionsLinks to an external site. as well as Writing a Thesis StatementLinks to an external site., refer to the Writing Center resources.

Must use at least three credible sources in addition to the course text.

In the Module Overview, we stated that an “aggregate plan will include the quantity and timing of production for the intermediate future (typically 3-18 months ahead).” Some factors such as demand, pay rate, and the ability to use overtime or subcontract some of the production must be taken into consideration to keep the total cost of production as low as possible.
You have been asked to build the aggregate planning schedule for your factory for the next six months and to determine the best option.
This chart provides the variables and cost for each variable.
STEP 1…..
Use the Excel OM Aggregate Planning spreadsheet and the data to prepare your aggregate plan. Produce a graph of your plan. The intent is to use a level strategy (or level scheduling) with no overtime, no safety stock, and no subcontractors.
Hint 1 – Consider that it takes 1.5 hours to produce a unit when determining your cost per unit for average and overtime pay.
Hint 2 – To determine regular time production, you need to multiply the units per day produced by the number of production days.
Continue to Step 2: Update Your Aggregate Plan Using Overtime
STEP 2….
In the plan produced in Step 1, the production rate did not meet the total demand. If you were able to use overtime to meet the shortfall, what would your aggregate plan look like?
Use the Excel OM Aggregate Planning spreadsheet and the data to prepare an updated aggregate plan.
Continue to Step 3: Update Your Aggregate Plan Using Outsourcing
STEP 3….
Instead of paying overtime, you might be able to outsource the shortfall in production. Use the Excel OM Aggregate Planning spreadsheet and the data to prepare an updated aggregate plan using outsources instead of paying overtime.
Continue to Step 4: Summarize and Submit
STEP 4…..
On a fourth tab of the spreadsheet, summarize your cost and determine which of the three options produces the lowest overall cost. Be sure to provide a detailed analysis along with your summary data.
Submit one spreadsheet containing a tab for each step. Save your assignment using a naming convention that includes your first and last name and the activity number (or description). Do not add punctuation or special characters.
Review the Problems Rubric for detailed grading information.

Problem 1
Solve the LOGO Production problem (the base version with only two products — see attached Download Excel file) with Excel Solver and produce the Sensitivity Report. Using the sensitivity report without resolving the problem, predict whether the optimal solution changes if:
The Selling Price for Santa’s Grotto increases from $55 to $80.
The Selling Price for Advent Calendar decreases from $35 to $22.
The Material Cost for Santa’s Grotto increases from $15 to $45.
The Material Cost for Advent Calendar decreases from $8 to $20.
In each case where the optimal solution does not change, also predict the new optimal profit without resolving the problem. Show your workings.
Problem 2
Refer to the Sensitivity Report of the LOGO Production problem. Without resolving the problem, predict the optimal profit (or indicate that we cannot predict without resolving) if:
The maximum demand for Santa’s Grotto increases from 20000 to 40000.
The maximum demand for Advent Calendar decreases from 60000 to 45000.
The number of molding machine-hours available increases from 300 to 350.
The number of packing machine-hours available increases from 300 to 350.
Show your workings.
Problem 3
Refer to the Worker Scheduling problem in Section 4.3 of the textbook. Implement the model in Excel following the textbook.
Then, try to add the following requirement to the model: Out of all workers, we want at least 20% starting their shifts in the weekend (Sat or Sun). For example, if we schedule 5 workers in each 5-day shift, we have 10 out of 35 workers (28.5%) starting their shifts in the weekend, which satisfies the requirement. Can such a requirement be formulated as a linear constraint?
Add this to the spreadsheet model and solve for the optimal solution. How much does adding this constraint change the optimal objective?
Problem 4
A bank is attempting to determine where its assets should be invested during the current year. At present, $500,000 is available for investment in bonds, home loans, auto loans, and personal loans. The annual rates of return on each type of investment are known to be the following: bonds, 10%; home loans, 16%; auto loans, 13%; and personal loans, 20%. To ensure that the bank’s portfolio is not too risky, the bank’s invest- ment manager has placed the following three restric- tions on the bank’s portfolio:
The amount invested in personal loans cannot ex- ceed the amount invested in bonds.
The amount invested in home loans cannot exceed the amount invested in auto loans.
No more than 25% of the total amount invested can be in personal loans.
Help the bank maximize the annual return on its investment portfolio.
Problem 5
Young MBA Erica Cudahy can invest up to $20,000 in stocks and loans. Each dollar invested in stocks yields $0.08 profit, and each dollar invested in a loan yields $0.13 profit. At least 40% of all money invested must be in stocks, and at least $7000 must be in loans. Determine how Erica can maximize the profit earned on her investments.

Use: Business Operations
Logistics Management
Remember, your goal is to increase efficiency in the area of your choice. Ask yourself “What if we could . . .  [your idea]?” 
Your assignment is to explain an approach different from the one you explained in the discussion forum. Outline the problem or inefficiency with details about how the process is impacting the organization’s effectiveness. Use graphical aids where possible to demonstrate the issue(s) and the possibilities for improvements.
Think about how to increase efficiency in any of an organization’s fundamental areas, and consider what could be done to improve the process. You may use your own company as an example. Identify a fundamental area in your organization in which there is an inefficiency. 
In your paper,
Describe the context of the problem or inefficiency you’ve identified.
Provide enough details for your reader to understand why what is happening is currently inefficient or ineffective.
Explain the current process providing appropriate supporting details.
Explain the processes of the new approach that would be more efficient for getting the task, job, or work done in your organization.
Provide a detailed evaluation describing how the accuracy and/or the efficiency would be improved by the alternative approach or process.
The What If We Could…? paper
Example possibilities for alternative approaches might include the following:
Combining reports
Would one report be better than two or three? Why?
Mobile apps
Are there possible efficiencies here? How?
Desktop notifications
Is it important to get immediate feedback? Why?
Team environment or collaboration tools
Could this eliminate wasted time or lost documents? How?
Automate manual processes
Examples include opening mail, sorting, or delivery. Could these be automated? How?
Must be at least three pages double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA StyleLinks to an external site. as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA Formatting for Microsoft Word Links to an external site.resource.
Must include a separate title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must utilize academic voice. See the Academic VoiceLinks to an external site.resource for additional guidance.
Must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.
For assistance on writing Introductions & ConclusionsLinks to an external site. as well as Writing a Thesis StatementLinks to an external site., refer to the Writing Center resources.
Must use at least three credible sources in addition to the course text.

In the Module Overview, we stated that an “aggregate plan will include the quantity and timing of production for the intermediate future (typically 3-18 months ahead).” Some factors such as demand, pay rate, and the ability to use overtime or subcontract some of the production must be taken into consideration to keep the total cost of production as low as possible.
You have been asked to build the aggregate planning schedule for your factory for the next six months and to determine the best option.
This chart provides the variables and cost for each variable.
STEP 1…..
Use the Excel OM Aggregate Planning spreadsheet and the data to prepare your aggregate plan. Produce a graph of your plan. The intent is to use a level strategy (or level scheduling) with no overtime, no safety stock, and no subcontractors.
Hint 1 – Consider that it takes 1.5 hours to produce a unit when determining your cost per unit for average and overtime pay.
Hint 2 – To determine regular time production, you need to multiply the units per day produced by the number of production days.
Continue to Step 2: Update Your Aggregate Plan Using Overtime
STEP 2….
In the plan produced in Step 1, the production rate did not meet the total demand. If you were able to use overtime to meet the shortfall, what would your aggregate plan look like?
Use the Excel OM Aggregate Planning spreadsheet and the data to prepare an updated aggregate plan.
Continue to Step 3: Update Your Aggregate Plan Using Outsourcing
STEP 3….
Instead of paying overtime, you might be able to outsource the shortfall in production. Use the Excel OM Aggregate Planning spreadsheet and the data to prepare an updated aggregate plan using outsources instead of paying overtime.
Continue to Step 4: Summarize and Submit
STEP 4…..
On a fourth tab of the spreadsheet, summarize your cost and determine which of the three options produces the lowest overall cost. Be sure to provide a detailed analysis along with your summary data.
Submit one spreadsheet containing a tab for each step. Save your assignment using a naming convention that includes your first and last name and the activity number (or description). Do not add punctuation or special characters.
Review the Problems Rubric for detailed grading information.

Problem 1
Solve the LOGO Production problem (the base version with only two products — see attached Download Excel file) with Excel Solver and produce the Sensitivity Report. Using the sensitivity report without resolving the problem, predict whether the optimal solution changes if:
The Selling Price for Santa’s Grotto increases from $55 to $80.
The Selling Price for Advent Calendar decreases from $35 to $22.
The Material Cost for Santa’s Grotto increases from $15 to $45.
The Material Cost for Advent Calendar decreases from $8 to $20.
In each case where the optimal solution does not change, also predict the new optimal profit without resolving the problem. Show your workings.
Problem 2
Refer to the Sensitivity Report of the LOGO Production problem. Without resolving the problem, predict the optimal profit (or indicate that we cannot predict without resolving) if:
The maximum demand for Santa’s Grotto increases from 20000 to 40000.
The maximum demand for Advent Calendar decreases from 60000 to 45000.
The number of molding machine-hours available increases from 300 to 350.
The number of packing machine-hours available increases from 300 to 350.
Show your workings.
Problem 3
Refer to the Worker Scheduling problem in Section 4.3 of the textbook. Implement the model in Excel following the textbook.
Then, try to add the following requirement to the model: Out of all workers, we want at least 20% starting their shifts in the weekend (Sat or Sun). For example, if we schedule 5 workers in each 5-day shift, we have 10 out of 35 workers (28.5%) starting their shifts in the weekend, which satisfies the requirement. Can such a requirement be formulated as a linear constraint?
Add this to the spreadsheet model and solve for the optimal solution. How much does adding this constraint change the optimal objective?
Problem 4 A bank is attempting to determine where its assets should be invested during the current year. At present, $500,000 is available for investment in bonds, home loans, auto loans, and personal loans. The annual rates of return on each type of investment are known to be the following: bonds, 10%; home loans, 16%; auto loans, 13%; and personal loans, 20%. To ensure that the bank’s portfolio is not too risky, the bank’s invest- ment manager has placed the following three restric- tions on the bank’s portfolio:
The amount invested in personal loans cannot ex- ceed the amount invested in bonds.
The amount invested in home loans cannot exceed the amount invested in auto loans.
No more than 25% of the total amount invested can be in personal loans.
Help the bank maximize the annual return on its investment portfolio.
Problem 5 Young MBA Erica Cudahy can invest up to $20,000 in stocks and loans. Each dollar invested in stocks yields $0.08 profit, and each dollar invested in a loan yields $0.13 profit. At least 40% of all money invested must be in stocks, and at least $7000 must be in loans. Determine how Erica can maximize the profit earned on her investments.

  
Milestones to be Completed:
1. Data analysis for the historical performance data
· Descriptive statistics are to be summarized for each of the work elements (A thru OO)
· Consider the use of a box-plot, or a simple data summary of your choice to compare mean, median, standard deviation (variances to the standards provided), etc.
· Update your group’s data file (Excel file assigned to your group) by editing/revising/summarizing/displaying your analysis within one of the available worksheets provided
· Provide a summary statement about what you have found/determined about Foxconn’s historical data, and what you plan to do about the results … if anything… why?
2. Precedence Diagram
· Complete the construction of the precedence diagram based on the data provided in your group’s data file.
· Submit a “rough”/“draft” (sketch) or “finished” version of the precedence diagram via eConestoga’s submission link 
· Acceptable file types include (Word, PDF, .DRWG (CAD), Visio, Excel, PPT, etc. or a hand-sketch + photo/scan is OK at this point. 
· Label the file as “Precedence Diagram_Group(###)”
3. TAKT Time Calculation
· Establish a TAKT time calculator tool (formula) within one of the available worksheets provided within your group’s data (Excel) file
· The TAKT time calculator tool must be able to calculate TAKT time based on all the necessary input variables that make up “available time”, and “customer demand”
· The TAKT time calculator tool must be able to re-calculate TAKT time by changing any one or multiple input variables. HINT: it may be useful to link your TAKT time result to your workstation calculation and line balancing table in order to observe various scenarios for determining the amount of workstations your factory will need based on how you design/establish the “available time” for your production facility.
4. Evidence that a workstation design (Line Balancing) table has been started
· The line balancing table must be started within one of your available worksheets of the Excel file provided to your group folder in the sharepoint. The goal here is to simply begin the process of line balancing for the design and plan of the workstations needed for your factory. 
· This table does not have to be complete yet, but evidence must be shown that this table is setup, ready, and must show progress has been made. Please aim to have 3 to you’re your workstation assignments completed.
· HINT: You CAN NOT complete this part until you have completed steps 1, 2, and 3, from above. i.e. you need to decide which cycle times you will be working with, and you need to be confident with what TAKT time you’ll be working towards.
5. Provide a small/simple project plan that lists the next/remaining steps (activities) that your group will be working on and completing over the next 7 to 8 weeks so that there is a clear path to successful completion of this project prior to the due date and presentation date. 
· Use Excel or MS Project to list (itemize) the remaining activities planned to be completed for this project (see & review the original project instructions for detail)
· Identify “who” will be responsible for completing each listed activity
· Identify “by when” that person will be aiming to complete the listed activity
· Ensure the plan shows clearly that all remaining activities have an assigned/delegated person(s) (group member) and that the pertinent activities are targeted to be completed prior to the week of presentation and due date for the project. 
I will have added an Excel data file using that Excel. You have answer the questions using data. You have to use the 3 empty excel sheets in the same excel file to fill answer.