The purpose of this assignment is to identify and apply OSCMconcepts/tools to solve problems in managing operations and supplychains. Students are expected to find an interesting OSCM problemfrom the real business world, think about how you can apply theOSCM concepts/tools that you learn in this course to solve theproblem, and write up a report based on your analysis. Morespecifically, each student should: • Find a problem in managingoperations and supply chains from the real business world (fromwork or from any business articles/cases) • Identify specific OSCMconcepts/tools that can be applied to the problem • Apply anappropriate OSCM concept/tool or a set of appropriate OSCMconcepts/tools to propose a solution to the problem • Analyze theexpected results that may be obtained when the solution isimplemented. The report should be 8-10 pages in length includingthe cover and appendices, with 1” margins on all sides,double-spacing, and 12 point font. The cover of the report shouldinclude title, class code and name, section number, student name,and date of completion.
1. Abstract (150 words maximum) - Summarize the entire report,including problem statement, OSCM concepts/tools that have beenapplied to the problem, and expected results of the proposedsolution.
2. Background information - Clearly state whether the problem isfrom work or from business articles/cases. If it is from businessarticles/cases, provide its source (title, author, name of thejournal, date published). Briefly introduce the company background(e.g., name, products, business size, location, internal/externalinteresting facts, and etc.).
3. Problem Description - Describe the problem clearly andspecifically. - You should focus on a single problem, although youcan introduce several other issues for informational purposes. -This section must include a problem statement starting with, e.g.,“This paper considers the problem of determining …”, “The mainproblem of the firm is how to ...”, and etc., either in thebeginning or at the end of the section.
4. OSCM concepts/tools that can be applied - Describe whatspecific OSCM concepts/tools can be applied to the problem and whythey are appropriate to the problem. This section should make itclear that you understand the concepts/tools you are about touse.
5. Application of OSCM concepts/tools - Choose an OSCMconcept/tool or a set of OSCM concepts/tools among the onesprovided in section 4 and apply it to propose a solution to theproblem. - This section should include your work/calculations indetail to show how you have applied the OSCM concept/tool(s) todevelop the solution.
6. Analysis of expected results - Analyze the expected resultsof the proposed solution. - The expected results may includecost/revenue impact and/or improvement of supply chain performance.You must be specific to receive full credit. - Discuss the pros andcons of the suggested solution.
7. Conclusion The meaning of an OSCM problem will become cleareras you study this course (see the textbook contents). An OSCMproblem may involve process design and improvement, supply chainmanagement, capacity planning, inventory management, qualitymanagement, project management, production planning and control,forecasting, facility location and layout, supplier management,etc. You are encouraged to find a problem from work if you haverelevant work experience, so that you may apply the concepts/toolslearned from this course at work. However, if you want to find aproblem from business articles/cases, you can find one from anyjournals/newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal, Business Week,Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and so on. Or you can surf theInternet to find an interesting
