Case Study

Select one of the following.

Quality Parts Company

Review the Quality Parts Company case study on page 426 in the textbook, and refer to the questions noted in Doc Sharing.

Value Stream Mapping

Review the Value Stream Mapping case study on page 428 in the textbook, and refer to the questions noted in Doc Sharing.

Pro Fishing Boats

Review the Pro Fishing Boats case study on page 428 in the textbook, and refer to the questions noted in Doc Sharing.

You might want to use Microsoft Visio software to create a Value Stream Map. See the Syllabus for tips on using MS Visio. You may already have Visio installed on your computer; if not, you can access the software from the iLab under Course Home.

Compose an APA-formatted Word document, no more than three pages in length; please answer each of the questions from the presented case study of your choice.

Submit your assignment to the Dropbox located on the silver tab at the top of this page. For instructions on how to use the Dropbox, read these step-by-step instructions or watch this Dropbox Tutorial.

See the Syllabus section "Due Dates for Assignments & Exams" for due date information.

Week 3

Case—Quality Parts Company (p. 426)

In a three-page paper, answer the following.

· Which of the changes being considered by the manager of Quality Parts Company are counter to the lean philosophy?

· Make recommendations for lean improvements in such areas as scheduling, layout, kanban, task groupings, and inventory. Use quantitative data as much as possible; state necessary assumptions.

· Sketch the operation of a pull system for running Quality Parts Company’s current system.

· Outline a plan for introducing lean at Quality Parts Company.

Week 3

Case—Value Stream Mapping (p. 428)

In a three-page paper, answer the following.

· Eliminating the queue of work dramatically quickens the time it takes a part to flow through a system. What are the disadvantages of removing those cues?

· How do you think the machine operators would react to the change?

· What would you do to ensure that the operators were busy?

Week 3

Case—Pro Fishing Boats—A Value Stream Mapping Exercise (p. 428)

· Create a value stream map (VSM) of this supply chain. What other information is needed?

· Where are there risks for supply chain disruptions or stoppages to the flow of materials?

· Where do opportunities reside in improving supply chain operations, and how has VSM helped to reveal these?