1.10 Discussion & Practice

  1. Choose one of the following change drivers from the discussion on the history of operations management: Sustainable operations, globalization, eCommerce, or the Internet of things. Do a little scanning. How will the change driver you selected change OSCM practice over the next 5-10 years? What evidence did you find to support your conclusions?

  2. Think about a DIY project you have done. Go back to the table in the introduction and fill it out in detail. Graphically depict the "black box" of operations management. Now, consider the various design decisions discussed in the chapter: product design, process design, facility location, and facility layout. Ask and answer, "How could the process and the outcome be improved by employing hints suggested by each design decision?"

  3. Go to a favorite restaurant. Order your favorite meal. Consider the design and control decisions discussed in the chapter. Draw a simple map that shows how your meal is prepared and delivered to you. Now that you have thought about all that went into making your meal, calculate its cost. How much profit did the restaurant make off of your order?

  4. Google the following: ASCM, Council for Supply Chain Management Professionals, or Institute for Supply Management. How does each professional association define SCM? Investigate how each professional association fits within the value-creation world of SCM? Why would you want to be a member of each? Do you need to be a member of more than one? If you think that belonging to a single professional association is sufficient, which of these would you join?

  5. Google "Gartner Supply Chain Top 25." Register for free access. Which companies top the list as the best supply chain companies? What do they do that makes them great supply chain companies? Now, take a look at the "Supply Chain Top 25 Methodology." How robust or trustworthy is Gartner's methodology? What do you like? What would you do differently?

  6. Service companies sell an experience. Google "Customer Service Hall of Fame." Which companies top the hall-of-fame list? What do they do that makes them great service companies? Now, take a look at the methodology. How robust or trustworthy is the methodology? What do you like? What would you do differently? Just for the fun of it, Google, "Customer Service Hall of Shame." Do you see any surprises here?

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