The group project is based on the Benihana simulation $($available through the Harvard Simulation Coursepack$).$

Each group is expected to complete the simulation $($outside the classroom$)$ and prepare a single, jointly$-$written report that addresses the questions posted below. Every report should have a title page with the assignment name and a list of the team members. Reports should contain an appendix containing relevant figures and tables. Each report should have $12$ pt$.$ font, $1\mathrm{.}5$ spacing, $1-$inch margin on all sides, and the maximum length allowed for each report is $3$ pages $($excluding the title page BUT including all exhibits, figures, and tables$).$ Points up to $25\backslash \%$ may be deducted for not adhering to these stipulations. The grade for each report will focus on the quality of your arguments, the quality of Operations Management tools and applications, quantitative analysis, and presentation quality. You should analyze the problem from all directions and take a position on what solution you think is the best for the problem. You should provide arguments for why you think this is the best solution. Your report should include all supporting exhibits such as quantitative analysis, spreadsheets, charts, formulas, etc. Please make sure that every exhibit is referred to in the report. Please do not include exhibits that are not essential to your report. All reports should directly answer the assigned questions and must solely be the work of team members. The use of un$-$cited sources will be penalized. Finally, accuracy, brevity, and clarity in the reports are expected.

Assignment Questions

Question $1$:

Batching Dining Room Customers: How does the batching strategy affect throughput? What are the potential disadvantages of batching?

Design the bar: What is the optimal size of the bar? Is having a bar a good idea?

Change Dining Time: What is the optimal dining duration? What is the impact of changing the dining time and is it worthwhile to change it$?$ What does it do to the dining room utilization?

Boost Demand with Advertising: What are your suggested decisions for this challenge? How does each of the options for boosting demand $($awareness building, discount promotions, and Happy Hour$)$ affect operations and profitability?

Using different types of batching at different times: Is this a good idea? If yes, when and how would you do this?

Question $2$: What is the best strategy for Benihana? Please specify the details of your strategy $($include the table from the simulation that shows the decisions in your best strategy and the resulting profitability from the simulation$).$ Please clearly explain how you formulated your strategy and why. Please utilize both qualitative and quantitative arguments.

Question $3$: Identify all the different forms of variability present in this system and how the decisions $($a to e in Question $1)$ above attempt to reduce them.

Question $4$: Describe your general insights from the Case and the Simulation for the effect of capacity utilization and bottleneck on the process.