BA 361 – Operations Management

Course Syllabus

Fall 2006

 

Instructor Information:                             Office Hours:

Susan Meyeraan                                             2:30 – 3:30 Monday, Wednesday, Friday

WBC 106                                                        1:00 – 2:30 Thursday

susan.meyeraan@wartburg.edu                                            -and by appointment

352-8315                                                                                            

232-9155 (home – before 9:00 p.m.)

   (please leave a local number - I will

   not return calls to long distance numbers)

 

                       

Class Times:                                               Class Location:

Section 01:      9:00 MWF                               WBC 215

Other:  BA345 Principles of Management

Section 01:      12:00 MWF                             WBC 215

Section 02:      1:15 MWF                               WBC 215

 

 

Catalog Description:

Survey of operating practices and models in manufacturing and service-oriented firms.  Introduction to operational issues, including quality control, designing, acquiring, operating, and maintaining inventories, facilities, and processes.  Prerequisites:  MA 107 (or 201), 214 (or 313).

 

 

Course Overview:

An introduction to the concepts, tools, and applications of operations management in organizations and how operations management is related to the four primary functions of management.  Emphasis will be on application and problem solving/analysis in the following areas:  supply chain management, total quality management, just-in-time systems, statistical quality control, work system design, inventory management, facilities management, and scheduling.

 

 

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course, students will:

1.      Understand how and why operations management is integral to all types of organizational settings.

2.      Understand how operations management is connected with each of the four functions of management.

3.       Identify situations in which operations management techniques can and should be applied.

4.      Understand how to formulate and solve problems using operations management techniques.

 

 

Required Resources:

Reid, R.D., and Sanders, N.R.  (2005).  Operations Management:  An Integrated Approach, Second Edition.  New York, NY:  John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

 

A calculator with statistical functions such as square root, summation, etc.

Student Responsibilities:

  1. Attend all class sessions and participate constructively in discussions and activities.
  2. Complete assigned readings and come to class prepared (includes bringing paper/pencils and anything else you need to be successful).
  3. Complete all written assignments in a professional manner.
  4. Be accountable for the contributions you are to make in any team activities.
  5. Ask questions.

 

 

Course Activities:

  1. Four exams (equally weighted, non-comprehensive – but remember all chapters build on previous material)                                           100 points each
  2. Five to seven case analyses                          50 points each
  3. Nine to twelve homework problems               10-30 points each
  4. Class discussion and participation                 75 points
  5. Work habits                                                     25 points

 

 

Evaluation System:

Students will be evaluated on class preparation and participation, assigned activities, and exams.  Points for each graded component are as follows:

 

Four exams (combination multiple choice, true/false,

and problem based)                                        400 points  (100 points each)

Case analyses                                          approx.      300 points

Homework problems                                approx.      200 points

Class participation                                                                  75 points

Work habits*                                                               25 points

 

*Includes attendance, punctuality, and general work ethic.  Three unexcused absences, or persistently

being late to class, may result in zero points for this category. 

 

-Those involved in college-related activities impacting their ability to attend class and participate are

expected to talk with the instructor as soon as any conflicts are identified.

 

Final grades will be determined by your standing in relation to other students and will approximately follow a 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% scale. 

 

 

Class Participation and Work Habits:

It is expected that you will do more than just “be here” during class time.  Active participation requires arriving on time, being prepared for the day’s activities, showing interest in the discussion, and staying until the end of class.  In order to earn full credit for the participation points, you should ask questions which make us think AND volunteer to answer questions based upon your own personal experiences.  Additionally, you should show respect to your coursemates by encouraging and supporting them in their learning efforts and staying awake during discussions.   If you have any constraints limiting your ability to participate, please contact me before the end of the first week of class.

 

 

Special Policies:

  1. ORIGINAL WORK:  Work done for this class should be new work or be a significant modification of past efforts.  Modifications of previous work done should be first approved by the instructor.  Plagiarized work will, minimally, result in a zero for the assignment.
  2. GROUP WORK:  It is expected that each person will contribute equally in any group activities.  It is up to each person to ensure that they have an equal share of work.
  3. SUBMITTED WORK:  Unless told otherwise, assignments should be computer-generated and a hard copy submitted (be sure to staple multiple pages together).  Report covers are optional.
  4. LATE ASSIGNMENTS:  Late assignments will be penalized by a deduction of up to 20% of the total points possible for each day late. 
  5. MAKE-UP EXAMS:  Make-up exams will be allowed only in the event of an emergency.  You are responsible for contacting the instructor and making necessary arrangements.

 

 

General Conduct:

Hats are not to be worn during exams or presentations.  PDAs and other hand-held devices are not allowed during exams.  Students are not to leave the room without permission during exams.  As a courtesy to others, please turn off cell phones and other electronic devices, and limit your need to leave the room during all class activities.  

 

 

Honor Code:

By attending Wartburg College, students are demonstrating their dedication to the Honor Code, which says: 

As a matter of personal commitment, students, faculty, and staff of Wartburg College are expected to demonstrate three simple principles:

 

(1) All work submitted be your own.

(2) When using the work or ideas of others, including fellow students, give full credit through accurate citations.

(3) If you are uncertain about the ground rules on a particular assignment, ask for clarification.

 

All are responsible for abiding by these guidelines and opposing academic dishonesty by reporting any act that goes against these guidelines.

 

 

Accommodation:

Please let me know if you have a disability which may require any modification of classroom arrangement, such as seating, audio or visual aids, etc.  I will make every reasonable accommodation possible to help meet your needs.  If more significant accommodation is needed, including special testing arrangements, please see Dr. Lex Smith and his staff in the Student Life Office.

 

 

 

BA 361 Course Schedule

The following is a tentative schedule and may be adjusted as appropriate.

 

Date               Assignment                                                                                                

 

9/6                   Introduction to Course Topics and Requirements

                        Chapter 1:  Introduction to Operations Management

 

9/8                   Chapter 2:  Operations Strategy and Competitiveness

 

9/11                 Chapter 3:  Product Design and Process Selection

 

9/13                 Special Guests from Pella Corporation

 

9/15                 Chapter 3:  Product Design and Process Selection (con’t)

 

9/18                 Chapter 4:  E-Commerce and Supply Chain Management

 

9/20                 Chapter 4:  E-Commerce and Supply Chain Management (con’t)

                        Biddy’s Bakery Case Analysis due (p. 94 in text)                        

                       

9/22                 Chapter 5:  Total Quality Management

 

9/25                 Chapter 5:  Total Quality Management (con’t)

 

9/27                 no class meeting – conference presentation in Kansas

 

9/29                 Exam 1:  Chapters 1 – 5      

 

10/2                 Chapter 6:  Statistical Quality Control

 

10/4                 Chapter 6:  Statistical Quality Control (con’t)

 

10/6                 Chapter 6:  Statistical Quality Control (con’t)

                        Process Quality Case Analysis due (separate handout)

 

10/9                 Chapter 7:  Just-in-Time and Lean Systems

 

10/11               Chapter 7:  Just-in-Time and Lean Systems (con’t)

                                   

10/13               Chapter 8:  Forecasting

Homecoming Alumni Panel Discussions beginning at 10:45

                                    -more information will be provided in class

 

10/16               Chapter 8:  Forecasting (con’t)

 

10/18               Exam 2:  Chapters 6 – 8

 

10/20               Chapter 9:  Capacity Planning and Facility Location

The Emergency Room (ER) at Northwest General Case Analysis due (pp. 299-300 in text)

 

10/23                Chapter 9:  Capacity Planning and Facility Location (con’t)

 

10/25               make-up day for Outfly

 

10/27               Fall Break

 

10/30               Chapter 10:  Facility Layout

 

11/1                 Chapter 10:  Facility Layout (con’t)

 

11/3                 Chapter 11:  Work System Design

Sawhill Athletic Club Case Analysis due (both parts A & B;  pp. 377-378 in text)

 

11/6                 Chapter 11:  Work System Design (con’t)

 

11/8                 Exam 3:  Chapters 9 - 11

 

11/10               Chapter 12:  Independent Demand Inventory Management

 

11/13               Chapter 12:  Independent Demand Inventory Management (con’t)

 

11/15               Chapter 13:  Aggregate Planning

 

11/17               Chapter 13:  Aggregate Planning (con’t)

 

11/20               Chapter 13:  Aggregate Planning (con’t)

 

11/22               Chapter 14:  Resource Planning

(short class periods)

 

11/24               Thanksgiving Break

           

11/27               Chapter 14:  Resource Planning (con’t)

Newmarket International Manufacturing Company Case Analysis due (both parts A & B;  pp. 516-518 in text)

 

11/29               Chapter 15:  Scheduling

 

12/1                 Chapter 15:  Scheduling (con’t)

                       

12/4                 Chapter 16:  Project Management

 

12/6                 Chapter 16:  Project Management (con’t)

                        Air Traffic Controller School Case Analysis due (p. 590 in text)

 

12/8                 Catch-up and Review

 

12/11               Exam 4:  Chapters 12 – 16

                        1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

 

 

BA 361 Evaluation Guide for Case Analysis

 

 

Category                                                       Points Possible                  Points Earned

 

 

Depth of analysis                                                        20                                           

   -provides complete description of major

    concepts of the approach

   -demonstrates correct application of those

    concepts

   -answers all questions appropriately

 

 

Clear application to today’s work world                      15

   -provides complete discussion of managerial

    implications and recommendations

  -incorporates course material with your personal

   opinions/perspectives 

 

 

Mechanics

  -communicates effectively with audience                10

  -grammar, spelling, legibility, logical order,

   appropriate charts and calculations, etc.

 

                                                                                   

Overall quality/professionalism                                   5                                             

 

 

Total                                                                           50       

                                                                        Deductions: