Unit 8
Assignment: Case Study 2
Written
Assignment
As a
representative and consultant for KU Consulting firm your task is to use your
expertise in
Operations
Management to assist Albatross Anchor.
Write a report answering all
the questions posed regarding the case study of Albatross Anchor. Demonstrate
your understanding of course content by using concepts and principles from your
textbook and from academic quality research to solve these challenges.
All
necessary materials for these Assignments are available below as well as in Doc
Sharing. Submit your Written Assignment by the end of Unit 8 to the “Unit
8 Assignment” Dropbox. For help on accessing the Dropbox, see the Dropbox
Guide link located in the Academic Tools tab.
Unit 8
Assignment Questions
Question 1
Refer
to the Assignment scenario/case study. Based on the limited information in the
scenario/case study, identify at least three direct and specific long-term
and three direct and specific short-term operations changes that
Albatross Anchor must make to gain a clear and sustainable competitive
advantage. Provide supporting information to validate and substantiate each
recommended change (be detailed in your justification for each).
Question 2
From
the list below, select four operational issues and for each issue chosen
explain how it will help Albatross Anchor to improve:
1) Job
retention
2) Employee
morale
3) Employee
dedication
Your explanation for
each of the four selected issues must cover all three of the items listed
above.
Listing of
Operational issues
(a) Work
design
(b) Cross
training
(c) Gainsharing
and profit sharing
(d) Job design
(e) Task
analysis
(f) Worker
analysis
(g) Environmental
analysis
(h) Ergonomics
(i) Technology
and automation
(j) Job
analysis
MT435
Unit 8 Assignment: Albatross
Anchors
Case Study 2
Content
(50%) 30 pts. (4
Full Pages of
Point
Points
s
Earne
Content)
Possi
.gif”>
Page 2 of 9
.gif”>Unit
8 [MT435:Operations
Management]
.gif”>.gif”>
ble
d
For
Question 1:
Three
direct and specific long-term
operations
changes with supporting
information
and justification.
10
Three
direct and specific short-term
operations
changes with supporting
information
and justification.
For
Questions 2:
Select
four operation issues (select 4 of
the 10 items
listed) and cover for each the
10
following:
?
Job retention
?
Employee morale
?
Employee dedication
Template
Used Appropriately.
10
Analysis
(30%)
18 pts.
Work
demonstrates synthesis of concepts,
6
research,
and experience.
Work
demonstrates the students ability to
tie
relevant information to real life
6
applications.
Analysis
exceeds basic comprehension to
6
demonstrate
higher order thinking.
Writing(20%) 12
pts.
Correct
use of APA 6th edition format, all
4
sources
used to support the paper are
Page 3 of 9
.gif”>Unit
8 [MT435:Operations
Management]
.gif”>.gif”>
referenced,
4 references minimum
Sentences
are clear, concise, and direct;
4
tone is
appropriate
Spelling,
grammar, and punctuation are
4
correct
Total
60
Case Study 2
KU
Consulting
KU
Consulting has been asked to bid on a large consulting job with Albatross
Anchor. In order to win the contract for this consulting job a well written,
logical, and highly organized proposal must be written. It is your
task/challenge to write the proposal for re-vamping Albatross Anchors
Operations systems so that KU Consulting may win the $50,000 contract.
Using
the mandatory template (found in Doc Sharing) prepare your
proposal by answering (in detail) all of the questions posed below.
Your
answers must demonstrate your understanding of the concepts and principles
identified within the textbook, course information, and activities, but also
from independent academic quality research to solve these challenges.
While
it is acceptable to use the textbook as foundational material you must conduct
independent research, as well, using the Kaplan virtual library and the
Internet to find information that supports your findings and conclusions. A minimum
of four academic resources, in addition to the textbook,isrequired
for each section of the proposal.
Please
note:Quotations should make up no
morethan 10% of your proposal.
Requirements for
successful completion of each section of the proposal include:
Page 4 of 9
? Prepared
using the mandatory template for each section of the proposal
(the templates for each section can be found in Doc Sharing of this virtual
classroom). Failure to use the mandatory template will result in an automatic
reduction of one grade level.
?
Proposal Cover Page
?
APA style reference page.
? The
body of the paper must be 4 full pages long (this does not include the cover or
reference pages).
? Body
of the paper must be double-spaced (this includes spacing between paragraphs
and before/after headings).
?
One inch margins on all four sides of the
page.
?
Times New Roman 12-font only.
?
Indent the first sentence of
each new paragraph inch (this is already set in MS Word as the first Tab
setting)
?
Grammatically and mechanically sound.
?
Introductory and concluding paragraph(s).
?
A minimum of four academic quality research
sources in addition to the textbook).
?
Citations, within the body
of the paper, identifying source materials, and in APA format are required
along with corresponding reference page listings.
The
following documents are in Doc Sharing.
?
MT435 Case Study 2.pdf
?
MT435 Case Study 2 Template.doc (Template is
required)
Please
note*
1. Do
not use Wikipedia, wikis, Answers.com, Ask.com, online dictionaries, or online
encyclopedias for this project. As a senior level student you are responsible
for independent research and for veracity of source.
2. A
search engine is not a source but a tool used to find a resource. For
information on APA referencing of Internet-based information use the
information on APA formatting contained within the Kaplan Writing Center for
more information or you may use the Kaplan Guide to
Successful Writing that is located in the Doc
Sharing area of this virtual classroom.
Page 5 of 9
Albatross
Anchor Case Study 2(Note: This is not a real company)
Introduction
Albatross
Anchor is a small family owned business that began in 1976 with four family
members. Albatross anchor has grown exponentially and now employs 130 people.
This one location/facility is situated on 12 acres located in a rural suburb of
Smalltown, USA (Please note* the building and facilities for Albatross Anchor
are landlocked).
The plant*
and the administrative offices are located in the same building.
(*Note: The plant includes: manufacturing, the
shipping department, the receiving department, raw materials storage, finished
product storage, and the foundry).
The
administrative offices are in the front of the building and the plant is
located directly behind the administrative offices (see diagram). The
administrative offices have issues because they are somewhat shabby,
disorganized, and run inefficiently.
The
plant is antiquated, worn, dirty, and technology-deprived and it no longer
meets all U.S. safety and environmental standards.
The
owners of this small business have added on various processes as needs arose; within
the limited space of the plant. When Albatross Anchor first opened its doors
their expertise was in the manufacturing of bell/mushroom anchors (using a
foundry process). In 1989, in response to international competition, the owners
of Albatross Anchor made the decision to expand the product line to include
fabricated snag hook anchors.
Customers
Albatross
Anchor is a manufacturing factory that sells only at the wholesale level.
Albatross
Anchors sales their products in two ways:
(01) Distributors that act
as the middleman. The distributor accepts bulk delivery of anchors at their
large distribution centers. At the distribution center the bulk shipment of
anchors is broken up into smaller batches and shipped to individual retail
locations.
(02) OEM customers that
purchase anchors in large batches to be used as a component in the manufacture
of boats.
Albatross
Anchor does not sell retail. They are strictly a wholesale organization.
Page 6 of 9
Products
The
bell anchor is manufactured primarily through a foundry process in which ore is
transformed into a liquid state and then poured into molds as part of the
production process. The bell anchor is used primarily by freshwater
marine craft.
The
snag hook anchor is fabricated through the bending and welding of iron rods and
flat iron into a hook design. The hook design is best when used in saltwater.
This hook design snags bedrock and seaweed which holds the marine craft at
anchor. The snag hook anchor is used primarily for small to medium sized
saltwater marine craft.
Each
anchor is produced in multiple sizes to accommodate the type of watercraft, the
size of the watercraft and the place where the anchor will be used (saltwater
or freshwater).
Manufacturing
Each
anchor type requires its own unique equipment and manufacturing process. Yet,
both manufacturing areas share the same shipping area, receiving area,
warehouse area, and administration offices.
The
manufacturing area of the plant has had to change to accommodate the
manufacture of the two separate types of anchors. As each anchor requires its
own manufacturing challenges the manufacturing line must be completely
changed over each time the anchor type is changed. The time to switch over
from one manufacturing process/operation to the other manufacturing
process/operation is 36 hours.
The
plant space is at a premium and warehousing space for raw materials and
finished product is limited and located at the far south end of the building.
Plant
antiquation and safety issues result in small batch production only. As a
result of this limitation, lead time for exceptionally large bulk orders is 3
to 4 weeks.
Costs
Current
manufacturing costs are $8.00 per pound for mushroom/bell anchors and $11.00
per pound for snag hook anchors. Albatross Anchor charges the same per unit as
their competitors. However, the profit margin can sometimes be as much as 35%
less (on some of the anchors) because of operations inefficiencies.
Shipping
challenges
Outgoing
freight
Page 7 of 9
.gif”>Unit
8 [MT435:Operations
Management]
.gif”>.gif”>
Product
size, bulk, and weight and maximum load limits require that the anchors be
shipped by large truck, rail, or large ocean-going freighter. Domestic orders
are usually shipped by large truck. International orders are shipped by rail
and ultimately by large ocean-going freighters. These are the only two methods
of product shipment.
Incoming
freight
Receipt
of raw materials is by rail. Prior to the sale of anchors into the
international market all shipments of finished product went out completely by truck
and therefore all shipping activities were limited to the east side of the
building.
Now,
because of the limitation of shipping product into the international
marketplace, all product shipments for international delivery go out of the
receiving dock for the initial leg of shipment by rail.
Prior
to expansion into the international marketplace shipping had been limited to
the shipping department and receiving was limited to the receiving area.
However, with this change in international shipping the receiving area must now
do double duty shipping of international orders as well as receipt of all
incoming raw materials.
Please
view the below representation of the current building/facility set up.
.jpg”>
Page 8 of 9
Case Study
2
Question 1
Refer
to the assignment scenario/case study. Based on the limited information in the
scenario/case study, identify at least three direct and specific long-term
and three direct and specific short-term operations changes that
Albatross Anchor must make to gain a clear and sustainable competitive
advantage. Provide supporting information to validate and substantiate each
recommended change (be detailed in your justification for each).
Question 2
From the list below, select four
operational issues and for each issue chosen explain how it will help
Albatross Anchor to improve:
1) Job
retention
2) Employee
morale
3) Employee
dedication
Your
explanation for each of the four selected issues must cover all three of the
items listed above.
Listing of
Operational issues
(a) Work
design
(b) Cross
training
(c) Gainsharing
and profit sharing
(d) Job design
(e) Task
analysis
(f) Worker
analysis
(g) Environmental
analysis
(h) Ergonomics
(i) Technology
and automation
(j) Job
analysisUnit 8
Assignment: Case Study 2Written
AssignmentAs a
representative and consultant for KU Consulting firm your task is to use your
expertise inOperations
Management to assist Albatross Anchor.Write a report answering all
the questions posed regarding the case study of Albatross Anchor. Demonstrate
your understanding of course content by using concepts and principles from your
textbook and from academic quality research to solve these challenges.All
necessary materials for these Assignments are available below as well as in Doc
Sharing. Submit your Written Assignment by the end of Unit 8 to the “Unit
8 Assignment” Dropbox. For help on accessing the Dropbox, see the Dropbox
Guide link located in the Academic Tools tab.Unit 8
Assignment QuestionsQuestion 1Refer
to the Assignment scenario/case study. Based on the limited information in the
scenario/case study, identify at least three direct and specific long-term
and three direct and specific short-term operations changes that
Albatross Anchor must make to gain a clear and sustainable competitive
advantage. Provide supporting information to validate and substantiate each
recommended change (be detailed in your justification for each).Question 2From
the list below, select four operational issues and for each issue chosen
explain how it will help Albatross Anchor to improve:1) Job
retention2) Employee
morale3) Employee
dedicationYour explanation for
each of the four selected issues must cover all three of the items listed
above.Listing of
Operational issues(a) Work
design(b) Cross
training(c) Gainsharing
and profit sharing(d) Job design
(e) Task
analysis(f) Worker
analysis(g) Environmental
analysis(h) Ergonomics
(i) Technology
and automation(j) Job
analysisMT435
Unit 8 Assignment: AlbatrossAnchors
Case Study 2Content(50%) 30 pts. (4
Full Pages ofPointPointssEarneContent)Possi.gif”>Page 2 of 9.gif”>Unit
8 [MT435:Operations
Management].gif”>.gif”>bledFor
Question 1:Three
direct and specific long-termoperations
changes with supportinginformation
and justification.10Three
direct and specific short-termoperations
changes with supportinginformation
and justification.For
Questions 2:Select
four operation issues (select 4 ofthe 10 items
listed) and cover for each the10following:?Job retention?Employee morale?Employee dedicationTemplate
Used Appropriately.10Analysis
(30%)
18 pts.Work
demonstrates synthesis of concepts,6research,
and experience.Work
demonstrates the students ability totie
relevant information to real life6applications.Analysis
exceeds basic comprehension to6demonstrate
higher order thinking.Writing(20%) 12
pts.Correct
use of APA 6th edition format, all4sources
used to support the paper arePage 3 of 9.gif”>Unit
8 [MT435:Operations
Management].gif”>.gif”>referenced,
4 references minimumSentences
are clear, concise, and direct;4tone is
appropriateSpelling,
grammar, and punctuation are4correctTotal60Case Study 2KU
ConsultingKU
Consulting has been asked to bid on a large consulting job with Albatross
Anchor. In order to win the contract for this consulting job a well written,
logical, and highly organized proposal must be written. It is your
task/challenge to write the proposal for re-vamping Albatross Anchors
Operations systems so that KU Consulting may win the $50,000 contract.Using
the mandatory template (found in Doc Sharing) prepare your
proposal by answering (in detail) all of the questions posed below.Your
answers must demonstrate your understanding of the concepts and principles
identified within the textbook, course information, and activities, but also
from independent academic quality research to solve these challenges.While
it is acceptable to use the textbook as foundational material you must conduct
independent research, as well, using the Kaplan virtual library and the
Internet to find information that supports your findings and conclusions. A minimum
of four academic resources, in addition to the textbook,isrequired
for each section of the proposal.Please
note:Quotations should make up no
morethan 10% of your proposal.Requirements for
successful completion of each section of the proposal include:Page 4 of 9? Prepared
using the mandatory template for each section of the proposal
(the templates for each section can be found in Doc Sharing of this virtual
classroom). Failure to use the mandatory template will result in an automatic
reduction of one grade level.?
Proposal Cover Page?
APA style reference page.? The
body of the paper must be 4 full pages long (this does not include the cover or
reference pages).? Body
of the paper must be double-spaced (this includes spacing between paragraphs
and before/after headings).?
One inch margins on all four sides of the
page.?
Times New Roman 12-font only.?
Indent the first sentence of
each new paragraph inch (this is already set in MS Word as the first Tab
setting)?
Grammatically and mechanically sound.?
Introductory and concluding paragraph(s).?
A minimum of four academic quality research
sources in addition to the textbook).?
Citations, within the body
of the paper, identifying source materials, and in APA format are required
along with corresponding reference page listings.The
following documents are in Doc Sharing.?
MT435 Case Study 2.pdf?
MT435 Case Study 2 Template.doc (Template is
required)Please
note*1. Do
not use Wikipedia, wikis, Answers.com, Ask.com, online dictionaries, or online
encyclopedias for this project. As a senior level student you are responsible
for independent research and for veracity of source.2. A
search engine is not a source but a tool used to find a resource. For
information on APA referencing of Internet-based information use the
information on APA formatting contained within the Kaplan Writing Center for
more information or you may use the Kaplan Guide toSuccessful Writing that is located in the Doc
Sharing area of this virtual classroom.Page 5 of 9Albatross
Anchor Case Study 2(Note: This is not a real company)IntroductionAlbatross
Anchor is a small family owned business that began in 1976 with four family
members. Albatross anchor has grown exponentially and now employs 130 people.
This one location/facility is situated on 12 acres located in a rural suburb of
Smalltown, USA (Please note* the building and facilities for Albatross Anchor
are landlocked).The plant*
and the administrative offices are located in the same building.(*Note: The plant includes: manufacturing, the
shipping department, the receiving department, raw materials storage, finished
product storage, and the foundry).The
administrative offices are in the front of the building and the plant is
located directly behind the administrative offices (see diagram). The
administrative offices have issues because they are somewhat shabby,
disorganized, and run inefficiently.The
plant is antiquated, worn, dirty, and technology-deprived and it no longer
meets all U.S. safety and environmental standards.The
owners of this small business have added on various processes as needs arose; within
the limited space of the plant. When Albatross Anchor first opened its doors
their expertise was in the manufacturing of bell/mushroom anchors (using a
foundry process). In 1989, in response to international competition, the owners
of Albatross Anchor made the decision to expand the product line to include
fabricated snag hook anchors.CustomersAlbatross
Anchor is a manufacturing factory that sells only at the wholesale level.Albatross
Anchors sales their products in two ways:(01) Distributors that act
as the middleman. The distributor accepts bulk delivery of anchors at their
large distribution centers. At the distribution center the bulk shipment of
anchors is broken up into smaller batches and shipped to individual retail
locations.(02) OEM customers that
purchase anchors in large batches to be used as a component in the manufacture
of boats.Albatross
Anchor does not sell retail. They are strictly a wholesale organization.Page 6 of 9ProductsThe
bell anchor is manufactured primarily through a foundry process in which ore is
transformed into a liquid state and then poured into molds as part of the
production process. The bell anchor is used primarily by freshwater
marine craft.The
snag hook anchor is fabricated through the bending and welding of iron rods and
flat iron into a hook design. The hook design is best when used in saltwater.
This hook design snags bedrock and seaweed which holds the marine craft at
anchor. The snag hook anchor is used primarily for small to medium sized
saltwater marine craft.Each
anchor is produced in multiple sizes to accommodate the type of watercraft, the
size of the watercraft and the place where the anchor will be used (saltwater
or freshwater).ManufacturingEach
anchor type requires its own unique equipment and manufacturing process. Yet,
both manufacturing areas share the same shipping area, receiving area,
warehouse area, and administration offices.The
manufacturing area of the plant has had to change to accommodate the
manufacture of the two separate types of anchors. As each anchor requires its
own manufacturing challenges the manufacturing line must be completely
changed over each time the anchor type is changed. The time to switch over
from one manufacturing process/operation to the other manufacturing
process/operation is 36 hours.The
plant space is at a premium and warehousing space for raw materials and
finished product is limited and located at the far south end of the building.Plant
antiquation and safety issues result in small batch production only. As a
result of this limitation, lead time for exceptionally large bulk orders is 3
to 4 weeks.CostsCurrent
manufacturing costs are $8.00 per pound for mushroom/bell anchors and $11.00
per pound for snag hook anchors. Albatross Anchor charges the same per unit as
their competitors. However, the profit margin can sometimes be as much as 35%
less (on some of the anchors) because of operations inefficiencies.Shipping
challengesOutgoing
freightPage 7 of 9.gif”>Unit
8 [MT435:Operations
Management].gif”>.gif”>Product
size, bulk, and weight and maximum load limits require that the anchors be
shipped by large truck, rail, or large ocean-going freighter. Domestic orders
are usually shipped by large truck. International orders are shipped by rail
and ultimately by large ocean-going freighters. These are the only two methods
of product shipment.Incoming
freightReceipt
of raw materials is by rail. Prior to the sale of anchors into the
international market all shipments of finished product went out completely by truck
and therefore all shipping activities were limited to the east side of the
building.Now,
because of the limitation of shipping product into the international
marketplace, all product shipments for international delivery go out of the
receiving dock for the initial leg of shipment by rail.Prior
to expansion into the international marketplace shipping had been limited to
the shipping department and receiving was limited to the receiving area.
However, with this change in international shipping the receiving area must now
do double duty shipping of international orders as well as receipt of all
incoming raw materials.Please
view the below representation of the current building/facility set up..jpg”>Page 8 of 9Case Study
2Question 1Refer
to the assignment scenario/case study. Based on the limited information in the
scenario/case study, identify at least three direct and specific long-term
and three direct and specific short-term operations changes that
Albatross Anchor must make to gain a clear and sustainable competitive
advantage. Provide supporting information to validate and substantiate each
recommended change (be detailed in your justification for each).Question 2From the list below, select four
operational issues and for each issue chosen explain how it will help
Albatross Anchor to improve:1) Job
retention2) Employee
morale3) Employee
dedicationYour
explanation for each of the four selected issues must cover all three of the
items listed above.Listing of
Operational issues(a) Work
design(b) Cross
training(c) Gainsharing
and profit sharing(d) Job design
(e) Task
analysis(f) Worker
analysis(g) Environmental
analysis(h) Ergonomics
(i) Technology
and automation(j) Job
analysis
