B7532 Advanced Operations Management Week 4

Assignment 1: Process Selection and Resource Planning

The Bullwhip effect is often used to describe the  magnification of demand variability due to distorted information through  the supply chain. A classic example of this was during the “dotcom”  bust of 2000 when demand variability for broadband equipment was  magnified several fold as information was transmitted through the supply  chain. The end result was that several companies were planning for  unrealistic demand, and many companies shut down when this demand failed  to materialize.

Using the University online library resources and  valid Internet sites, research a company that is actively using  Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Materials Resource Planning (MRP)  systems to manage its processes, resources, and operations. You can  choose a technology company that has survived the dotcom era or any  other company that has lived through a very rapid change in demand  forecasting such as what occurred as a result of the fiscal meltdown and  the liquidity crisis in 2008.

Based on your research, respond to the following:

• Analyze some of the processes that the company has put in place to plan for sudden and drastic changes in demand.
• Evaluate the success of the initiatives and analyze the reason for the result.
• Based on the lessons learned, what else could the company do to plan for future disruptions?

Write your initial response in 300–500 words. Your response should be  thorough and address all components of the discussion question in  detail, include citations of all sources, where needed, according to the  APA Style, and demonstrate accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation
 

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• Make sure your writing

• is clear, concise, and organized;
• demonstrates ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and
• displays accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Grading Criteria

     Discussion Grading Table  Maximum Points    Quality of initial posting, including fulfillment of assignment instructions  16    Quality of responses to classmates  12    Frequency of responses to classmates  4    Reference to supporting readings and other materials  4    Language and grammar  4    Total:  40