IOA Details: DL MBA - 07 28052 - Operations Management Assessment Criteria

Overview

Your main individual assignment for the module will be a structured and integrated application of theory and concepts primarily from the later Units of the module, mainly Units 5, 6 and 7. You can set the analysis in the same organization to that which you looked at previously if you wish, but the theory used, and therefore the operations issues MUST be different.

Additionally, you are encouraged to apply Operations Management material derived from your own investigations in, for example, library resources.

The individual assignment will be a logically argued set of recommendations for improvement in your subject operation or process.

You can submit a proposal if you wish. The proposal is not assessed formally, but you will be provided with feedback to assist you in your main analysis. The IOA will be worth up to 60% of the overall module marks.

The Operation and Proposal

You need to choose an operation or process to which you can obtain ready access.

Ask yourself: Can I capture enough data to appraise the operation and make recommendations for improvement critically?

By Unit 5 you will have been immersed in sufficient Operations theory and practice to make an informed judgment about the content of your final individual assignment. You will not have covered all of the taught content of the module, but by the submission deadline for the proposal, you will be in a position to know roughly what is coming up. You can also skim-read ahead in the textbook to get a feel for the content of Units 6 and 7.

The proposal document requires that you produce a short report answering the following questions:

• What is the operation or process? Provide a short textual introduction to the operation. You can also supply the context in a succinct way by simply drawing a four V’s profile and performance map if you wish. You have done this before!

• What operations challenges or problems are there to be addressed in your subject operation, and why? You will not be hostage to this answer. After analysis, you may change your mind. Rather, we want you to think about whether there is anything worth looking at. No operation is perfect. What flaws are evident at first glance?

• Which of these challenges might need to be addressed first, second, and so on, and why?

• What concepts, tools and techniques could be used to address these challenges and problems, and how might you apply them? In considering which module concepts to use, you are strongly encouraged to read beyond the module content in the Operations journals. Stated simply, the more evidence there is of application of wider reading, the more marks you are going to get. This proposal stage is an opportunity for you to receive formative feedback on the application of your reading. If you are interested in applying particular theoretical content, look in the relevant textbook chapter. At the end of the chapters are 'further reading' recommendations. Follow up on these. If you find a topical reference that is germane to your work, briefly but critically appraise it. Say how you might apply what you have found in your final individual assessment.

Your proposal is due by 12:00pm (UK time), Monday 1st December.

IF YOUR PROPOSAL IS LATE IT WILL NOT BE REVIEWED!

Analysis and Improvement Requirements

You are now in a position to carry out your main operations analysis for the module. You have already determined the analytical tools, method and subject of the analysis.

Requirements

• Use the concepts, tools, techniques from Units 5, 6 and 7 of the module, and apply these in your analysis. Update, 171129: There is no specific prohibition regarding the use of material from other Units. However, please see the warnings below.

• Your analysis should identify the main operational problems in your subject.

• You should rank the problems in order of importance. You should use an Operations Management tool to carry out the ranking.

• You are to focus on one or two operational problems and make recommendations for improvement.

• You are encouraged in applying your analytical toolkit to use that which you have not used previously, either individually or in your group work.

• If you must reapply any material that you used previously in the COA, then the 'bar' is raised. You will have to carry out substantively deeper analysis. There is ample material that you can apply in the content of Units 5, 6 and 7. Update: 171129 Exceptions are possibly a performance objectives map and a four v's profile. These might provide a succinct introduction to your subject in Operations Management language. You will not earn many marks for the use of these tools, but you will save space, which will allow you to earn more marks in the main body of your work.

• You may use material from other Operations Management subjects (for example from textbook chapters not covered in the module), but please discuss this with your tutor.

• Critically, you should search for further reading in the Operations Management journals that enhances your knowledge of the concepts you will apply. If you apply module content thoroughly, then you will likely get a pass. If you can show the application of further reading in the peer-reviewed Operations Management journals, then you are likely to earn high marks.

• There is nothing wrong with common sense, but if all you do in this assignment is to apply common sense, you will fail. You really need to demonstrate by an application that you understand Operations Management.

• For each report, the typeface to be used for body text is 11 point sans serif, e.g., Arial, Helvetica, Universe, Calibri, etc. Use any typeface you like for headings.

• Insert process maps, diagrams, photos etc. as you see fit. It is up to you to decide on the balance of content.

Your submission is to be limited to 2,500 words. Within reason, this word limit does not include process maps, diagrams etc. Upload the submission to Canvas by 12:00 pm (UK time), Monday 18th December.

Notes

I am far more interested in OM content than production values. If you focus too much on making things pretty, you will have less time/space for the sort of content that earns marks. To be honest, this sort of failure is a common one for Masters Students, especially in the early modules. There is sometimes a reluctance to confront the theory – the content – and apply it in hard analysis. I do appreciate the good design of reports, presentations, and so on, but good design does not mean bells and whistles, fluff, embellishment etc. Please keep things simple.

Assessment Criteria

We will assess your work on the following criteria:

• Understanding – Your work should demonstrate an understanding of operations and operations management issues.

• Substantiation – The work should be underpinned by module material and additional reading around the topic chosen and tools employed. (Please only reference material you have read!)

• Insight – Your work must demonstrate critical evaluation and insight into the operation, situation and topic.

• Clarity and structure – The report should be well structured and clearly presented.

These criteria are translated into a detailed rubric which is available for you to view in Canvas. You can see the rubric if you go to the "Assignments" pages. At the top right of each assessment submission page is a tiny button that says "view rubric".

You will be briefed in detail on the assessment criteria during the module. Additionally, in the final Connect session, we will discuss the assessment.