Managing Service Operations Reflection Paper Guidelines

(Individual activity)

TheManaging Service Operations (MSO) Reflection Paperassignment is meant to provide students the opportunity to utilize the skills developed and knowledge acquired during the course. Based on the premise that one of the best ways to learn something is to do it, students will research the 'operations management' practices of service-focused organization. One of the skills required of an effective member of the work force is the ability to communicate one's ideas clearly. This paper offers an opportunity to practice your written skills.

The Reflection paper is intended to help you connect the subject matter covered in class to a real-world services operations issue (ORthe industry / scenario that interests the student). Pick few topics discussed in class (or some other relevant service operations topic) on which you will conduct a detailed analysis.

Explore the topics more fully. Find relevant research articles and practitioner-oriented articles. Point us to more resources (e.g., web-based, any consulting firms available, any software available). Through this paper, students are expected to achieve the following learning goals (See also the general instructions and the learning objectives / goals in the body of the course syllabus).

• Develop an understanding of the critical role that operations play in any service delivery system
• Analyze a service delivery using systems perspective and process improvement methods
• Apply a variety of techniques of total quality management and statistical tools
• Develop an understanding of potential and impact supply chain management and information technology on services operations

Deliverables:

Pay attention so that following expectations are met in your Reflection paper

• Operations management concepts / theories / practices learnt / discussed in class.
• Connecting those concepts with your professional/personal experiences
• Identification of issues for the targeted company / sector. (Instead of several general practices, the paper should highlight few specific operations concepts which you believe is worthy of discussion)
• Identification of challenges in services operations for the present and for the future.
• Paper recommendations / suggestions / prediction / added calculations
• Quality of organization and structure of paper; clarity in expressing thoughts and concepts, good flow, good introduction, and conclusion.
• Quality, currency, and variety of sources cited. Proper setup of the bibliography and in body citation is critical.

• Proper grammar and spelling, appropriate length, following instructions.