M03: Discussion: Keep The End In Mind

This course, while not necessarily an official capstone course, nonetheless encapsulates almost everything a student will learn in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) program. As a result, you should think of this course as a way to learn new concepts and to apply concepts you already learned in other SCM courses. When you finish this course you should be able to demonstrate some competency and knowledge with Operations and Supply Chain Management. Keep this end in mind.

At the end of the course you will be creating a final paper and presentation (M08: Operations Management Summary Report). It is very important for you to think of each and every module and assignment as building blocks toward this final report. You should not think of it as simply a report but rather as a project or project summary. You should imagine that, as the operations manager of the operation you will be managing in the simulation used in the course, your job future would be affected not so much by how you performed (metrics, outcomes, etc.) but by what you learned and how you would apply what you learned to the future.

As you go through the course you will run a small business as an operations manager in a simulated environment. You will be using concepts you learn in the course to help you plan and manage the operation.

Most, if not all, of the assignments are based on tools and skills an operations manager would need to possess and/or use to manage an operation. Use these assignments as if you were keeping track of work and building a portfolio. At the end of this course you may not be able to say you ran a real operation, but you will be able to say that you did so in a simulated environment that reflected reality to a reasonable degree and that you understand and applied many of the concepts and skills an operations manager would have to know and use.

DISCUSSION STEPS

1. Take a look at the M08: Operations Management Summary Report
2. Take a broad look at the various assignments and learning activities (look in the modules and read the syllabus)
3. This course will require more time than your typical course. If the typical suggestion is 3 hours of study per 1 hour of class, you should plan on 4 hours per 1 hour or more
4. Go to the "Rubrics" link in the course menu and look carefully at the one titled "Final Report (New, Simplified) Rubric "
5. Download, look at, and plan to use each week the MH Practice Operations -Data Capturing Template-Student.pptx Download MH Practice Operations -Data Capturing Template-Student.pptxto help you capture information as you progress through the class
6. Download, look at, and plan to use each week the MH Practice Operations -Report Concept Note Taking Template.pptx Download MH Practice Operations -Report Concept Note Taking Template.pptxto help you plan for and create your Operations Management Summary Report as you progress through the class.
   1. Please note that this file is in the form of a presentation. You WILL NOT be giving a presentation. However, if you summarize your learning succinctly in the template and imagine that you are going to give a presentation, you will find this method will help you be more organized and creative and generate a better report, as well as learn more.
   2. You can also use Operations Management Summary Report Template - V1.docx Download Operations Management Summary Report Template - V1.docxand write your report as you go.
7. The purpose of this discussion is twofold:
   1. Get you to become familiar with the course
   2. Get you to begin the process of learning what is in the course and what you currently know and do not know
   3. Get you to begin the process of planning how to successfully complete the M08: Operations Management Summary Report and all of the projects and assignments leading up to it
   4. Get excited about the fact you will be applying what you know is as "hands-on" a fashion without actually being in a work environment (it will time and effort, you will get frustrated at times, but it will be fun)

DISCUSSION POST

• Capture as many of the items below about the course in general and the M08: Operations Management Summary Report specifically as you can and list them in the submission area.
  • concerns,
  • ideas,
  • thoughts,
  • questions,
  • etc.
• The "grade" will only be based on the fact that you did the exercise, listed a reasonable number of items, appeared to put thought into it, demonstrated that you understand both the summary report and information capturing tools, and you responded substantively to at least two other students.

In addition to your initial posting to the discussion board, you will be required to post a substantive response to at least two (2) of your classmates' postings. Be sure to address the student to whom you are commenting (for example, Joe, I had a similar experience; however, in my situation... or Susie, I agree with your comments because...). A "substantive" response is one that adds significantly to the discussion by: 1) building on others' comments; 2) suggesting alternative solutions; 3) pointing out problems; or 4) constructively disagreeing. ..