Process_Improvement_ Assignment _2 **Zeek_the_Geek**

Assignment #2:

Purpose: 

Students will assess a process and a new process.  Using the flow chart created in week 3 (LA will use week four fact pattern scenario with flow chart creation) the students will assess and revise the flow chart to identify the new process explaining the changed areas and using tools of analysis

Instructions:

This assignment is the second of three assignments.  Students will use the case study used in Assignment 1 that is related to business process improvement.  In completing the assignment, students will analyze the case study scenario and apply the concepts learned in weeks 1 - 6 by answering a series of questions.

In completing the assignment, students will answer the questions in narrative form and will follow the steps provided below.

Step 1:  Review “How to Analyze a Case Study” under Week 4 Content.

Step 2:  Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document that is double-spaced, 12-point font.  The final product will be between 2-3 pages in length excluding the title page and reference page.

Step 3:  Review the grading rubric for the assignment.

Step 4:  Follow this format:

·          Title page with title, your name, the course, the instructor’s name;

·          Introduction;

·          Body, in paragraph form using the following section headings:

·          Summary paragraph

Step 5:  In writing a case study, the writing is in the third person.  What this means is that there are no words such as “I, me, my, we, or us” (first person writing), nor is there use of “you or your” (second person writing).  If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this link:   http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person

Step 6:  In writing this assignment, students are asked to support the reasoning using in-text citations and a reference list.  A reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa.  View the sample APA paper under Week 1 content

Step 7:  In writing this assignment, students are expected to paraphrase and not use direct quotes.  Learn to paraphrase by reviewing this link:   https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html

Step 8:  Read critically and analyze the scenario provided below:

Mason Williams was a truck driver for the Driving Force carrying company.  His route usually consists of the East Coast from Florida to New Hampshire. Mason as do most of the drivers, travels alone in the truck.  One of Williams many customers is Dried Goods Limited, a long standing customer of Driving Force.  The company has a rule that drivers are not to load or unload the transported goods.  However, this rule has been honored in the breech (ignored) when it comes to Dried Goods limited and two other companies.  In the last two years, the companies have begun to expect that drivers help load and unload goods.  The schedulers in the company are becoming frustrated because drivers like Mason are beginning to be late for pickup and delivery times.  Complaints are becoming more frequent and business is being lost.  To complicate the problem the sales force is experiencing a request from many new companies for the “extra service” that Driving Force provides to its customers.

Step 9:  Write down or highlight key facts from the scenario.  Consider making an outline to capture key points in the paper. 

Step 10:  In your paper, respond to the following questions:

·          Using the process flow chart created in Assessment one analyze the facts create a revised flow chart showing how the new process would look;

 

·          An explanation of the redesign;

 

·          A control chart should also be used to explain demonstrate and measure how the new process would be a success. Discussion should include critical success factors, KPI, and performance measurements;

 

·          Explain in 3-4 pages the reasoning behind your choices supported by the material. Be sure to relate the material to the facts.

 

Step 11:  Create the introductory paragraph.  The introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of the paper but is typically written after writing the body of the paper (Questions students responded to above).  View this website to learn how to write an introductory paragraph:   http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/donelan/intro.html

 

Step 12:  Write a summary paragraph.  A summary paragraph restates the main idea(s) of the essay.  Make sure to leave a reader with a sense that the essay is complete.  The summary paragraph is the last paragraph of a paper.

 

Step 13:  Using the grading rubric as a comparison, read through the paper to ensure all required elements are presented.

 

Step 14: Proofread the paper for spelling and grammatical issues, and third person writing. 

·          Use the spell and grammar check in Word as a first measure;

·          Have someone who has excellent English skills to proof the paper;

·          Consider submitting the paper to the Effective Writing Center (EWC).  The EWC will provide 4-6 areas that may need improvement.

Step 15:  Submit the paper in the Assignment Folder  (The assignment submitted to the Assignment Folder will be considered a student’s final product and therefore ready for grading by the instructor.  It is incumbent upon the student to verify the assignment is the correct submission.  No exceptions will be considered by the instructor.)