IT business

Leung/MS3053

MS 3053

Comprehensive Business Case Study: Develop Logistic Distribution System

Due: November 11, 2014 (Tuesday)

This comprehensive case study is a required submission which accounts for 3% of the overall

course grade. In other words, the points from this case study will be counted directly toward the

total score accumulated in your record. You can select to conduct the case study individually or

in a group of two to six students. Each group needs to submit only one copy of the report and

every team member in the group will receive the same grade. Hence, please choose the

classmate(s) you like to work with.

Policy regarding the grading of case project is written on the syllabus. All grades are not subject

to negotiation. Any late work after the due date will not be accepted or graded. Please be aware

that a submission of materials does not imply or guarantee credit. Grade for the case project

reflects quality, accuracy, and completeness of the submitted work.

For the details, study carefully the “Northwest General Hospital” case on logistic / distribution

management. The PDF of this internet case is loaded separately to the course folder.

In summary, you need to develop a logistic integer programming (IP) model, perform appropriate

analysis using Excel spreadsheet and solver, recommend a distribution system to be implemented

by the hospital, and finally, present a formal business communication report. To be considered

for any credit, your submission must contain the followings:

 A cover page listing the names of all team member(s). No names can be added after the submission.

 An executive summary outlining the logistic problem, available business actions to solve the problem as well as the final decisions and recommendations based on your analysis.

 A network diagram showing the origins and their capacities, destinations and their demands, all possible logistic connections (bounds) between these two groups of entities

and their respective times. The diagram must be fully labeled.

 A logistic integer program (IP) which is used to optimize this distribution system. Label or write remarks of the objective function and the various constraints if you like.

 A print out of your cell formulations programmed to the Excel spreadsheet. Be sure you type your name(s) on the spreadsheet before printing it out.

 A print out of the optimal solution obtained by Excel. Be sure you type your name(s) on the spreadsheet before printing it out.

 A brief narrative discussion explaining the logistic model, how you perform the analysis and come up with the final decisions and recommendations. Justifications to your

recommendations are also welcome.

The integer programming formulation (in mathematical symbols) can be written by hand (in a

legible manner) but all narrative writing must be clearly organized and typed in double

spacing. The executive summary should not exceed one and an half pages while the

narrative discussion can be three to six pages, depending on your extensiveness and effort.

Leung/MS3053

Hint: this case project is not much different in concept from the previous homework and class

examples. You just need to adapt your mind from a macroscopic view (i.e., the distribution

system linking warehouses to destinations) to a more microscopic local environment within a

facility (i.e., the hospital in the case.) You can modify the IP logistic template to accommodate

for the adaptations necessary for this case problem.

Understanding and re-studying of the sets of class notes on logistic module and Excel spreadsheet

modeling and problem solving as well as the relevant sections in the textbook is useful in

refreshing the mind and bringing out memory. If needed, you may want to go through the

materials in the IS prerequisites regarding Excel programming.

Note: a typical professional executive summary should be approximately one to one and an half

pages long. It should encompass at least the three primary elements of a business

communication report – 1. define the business problem or the gist of analysis; 2. state the

available business options and, in some cases, their respective consequences; and 3.

provide specific recommendations or conclusions based on your analysis.