FOR A PLUS WRITER ONLY

This are assignment that are DUE end of each week. and need to be done by weekend. 

RUBRIC for WEEKLY paper is attached.

NOTE+ When a paper is properly formatted in APA format (1” margins, double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font) the typical paper will contain from 300-350 words per page. This does not include the cover page, reference page, or any appendices.

Paragraphs typically include 3-5 sentences each on the same topic. A paper in APA format averages 3 paragraphs per page.

What does this mean to you? If an assignment asks for 3 pages, it should contain at least 900 words in the body of the paper. 

WEEK1

Read the assigned article from this week’s readings.  Consider yourself as a project manager at American Airlines, and John MacLean is your project sponsor.  Describe some example projects you could be the leader for, and how an efficient supply chain process can support the profitability of American Airlines.  Submit a two –to - three pages, APA style paper.  Use concepts from the text for purchasing links to profitability and your knowledge of project management to support your views.  

Article: 

• Teague, Paul. (2009, October 15). John MacLean, supply chain manager of the year. Purchasing, 138(10), 12. Retrieved from the ProQuest database.

• This article is a professional example of procurement planning in a large organization. You will need to read this article to complete your written assignment this week.

week 2

Read Case 7: Butler Systems in your text (pg.467-468). In a two- to three-page paper, excluding the title and reference pages, provide a brief summary of the case and main points, and answer the following questions:

1. As the VP of operations, provide an evaluation of the battery shortage problem and justify your reasoning.
2. Propose what potential actions should be taken to mitigate the battery shortage situation and defend your recommendations.
3. Summarize the buying organization's role in selecting and qualifying potential suppliers and justify your reasoning.

Your paper should include at least one scholarly source from the Ashford University Library, in addition to the textbook, and be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center

TEXT:

• Benton, W.C. Jr. (2014). Purchasing and supply chain management (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin:

• Chapter 4: Materials Management
• Chapter 5: Inventory Management
• Chapter 6: Just-in-Time (Lean) Purchasing
• Case 7: Butler Systems 

WEEK 3

Read Case 9: Capital State Arena in the text (pg. 473-475) and answer the following question in a three- to four page, APA style paper, using calculations where necessary to provide support: 

1. If you were the purchasing agent for CSU what actions would you recommend regarding the purchase of the theatrical lighting system? 

Text

• Benton, W.C. Jr. (2014). Purchasing and supply chain management (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin:

• Chapter 7: Purchasing Procedures, E-Purchasing, and Systems Contracting
• Chapter 8: Supplier Selection and Evaluation
• Chapter 10: Global Sourcing
• Case 9: The Capital State Arena

WEEK 4

The price of an item is an important component of decision making in procurement, but is not the only factor for a final decision.  Write a three- to -four page, APA style paper that reviews the overall components of a pricing strategy.  Include examples from external research to support your views.  Describe a company that has used a purchasing strategy to improve the financial impact of the company.  Use at least one scholarly source from the Ashford University Library to obtain examples.  

ext

• Benton, W.C. Jr. (2014). Purchasing and supply chain management (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin:

• Chapter 11: Supply Partnerships, and Supply Chain Power
• Chapter 12: Total Quality Management (TQM) and Purchasing
• Chapter 13: Price Determination

Article

• Weissman, R. (2009). Supply chain collaboration drives subaru plant conversion.  Purchasing, 138(7), 56-57. Retrieved from the ProQuest database. 

• This article is a review of the partnership between BASF and Subaru to convert their paint departments in plants successfully. Use this article to assist in completing this week’s assignments.

WEEK 5

AMD Construction and Negotiation

Read Case 3: AMD Construction in the text (pg. 448-450) and answer the following questions in a three- to -four page, APA formatted paper:

1. Discuss the various steps in the capital equipment acquisition process.
2. Develop a comprehensive analysis of the negotiations between Jane Axle and Tom Reed. (Provide a chart to show financial impacts.)
3. What is your assessment of the negotiations process, given what you have studied?  What are your recommendations for Mr. Reed?  You must justify your conclusions.

Suggestion of format for analysis:

Text

• Benton, W.C. Jr.  (2014).  Purchasing and supply chain management (3rd ed.).  New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin:

• Chapter 14: Bargaining and Negotiations
• Chapter 16: Equipment Acquisition and Disposal
• Case 3: AMD Construction Company: Negotiating the Old-Fashioned Way

Multimedia

• Maven Training videos and podcasts.  (2009, May 21).  Melanie Franklin is interviewed by the BCS – Part 3 - Interpersonal skills  [Video file].  Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L92yZLQYr1g

• This video links the negotiation and bargaining topics of the week with interpersonal communication and will be useful in completing this week’s assignments.

WEEK 6

This is an assignment with a length of ten to twelve pages that should integrate the reading, multi-media and class discussion boards.  It is mandatory to have research from the classroom text, as well as three sources from the internet or online library to support your views.

Consider the validity of your resources carefully before using them in academic papers.  It is recommended to use examples from your professional experience where possible, or build from your learning in the discussion boards.  Use at least one project you have been a team member or a project manager as an example to describe the topics below:

The following topics must be reviewed in order for the paper to be complete:

• The definition of procurement and contract management and the importance to the business world.
• RFP selection tools and how to improve the assessment of proposals.
• The concept of procurement planning and various strategies necessary for project success.
• How to select the most qualified vendor in a proposal.
• Evaluation of the contract and the legal aspects of procurement in a project.
• Comparisons of the critical elements of a contract including relationships between the client, supplier, completion terms and payment terms.

The final Research Paper for the course must be submitted by to the instructor by 11:59 p.m. of the time zone in which you reside on the last day of the class.

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

• Must be ten to twelve double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a title page with the following:
• Title of paper
• Student’s name
• Course name and number
• Instructor’s name
• Date submitted
• Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
• Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
• Must use at least five scholarly sources, including a minimum of two from the Ashford Online Library.
• Must document all sources in APA style

Text

• Benton, W.C. Jr.  (2014).  Purchasing and supply chain management (3rd ed.).  New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin:

• Chapter 18: Procuring Professional Services

Article

• Nicholson, D. (2014, April 2). Freelancer.com's Matt Barrie on how to monetise 5 billion people. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidnicholson/2014/04/02/freelancer-coms-matt-barrie-on-how-to-monetise-5-billion-people/