As students learned in the prerequisite operations management course, we use project management techniques to coordinateMarketing Research and Data Analysis our resources across the extended enterprise when implementing innovations and improvements. The initial process often includes preparing a business case. First, we will review what this means, then highlight what Part B of the final project will require. As covered in Part A, the focus was on researching and defining how a selected supply chain currently performs (be sure to read professor Part A feedback before starting Part B). Students ended Part A identifying three current key issues impacting their selected supply chain (students may need further industry reports/company SWOTs to support these priorities). Hopefully as you worked on the lessons, you began to reflect on them and found yourself asking “why are they not doing X?” as it would help them with these issues! Each of the lessons is full of current tools and techniques used in supply chain management. But not all supply chains have reached a maturity level where they use them! (Sadly some have not even thought to use them.) That is where you come in on this next Part B … Part B will focus on students building vital leadership skills to enable their problem solving abilities. A business case is often prepared to help document and justify projects to pursue in order to address major problems. They need to be thorough and convincing for an audience of supply chain professionals, which will require students to support their opinions or assertions with credible research (i.e. use lessons, Internet, data collected, library sources, current events, etc.). Over the course, students learned various tools and techniques in supply chain management. As covered previously, there is no ‘silver bullet’ universal answer to optimize performance of a supply chain (if it was easy, every supply chain would be optimized!). Student need to prepare a business case for improvement recommendations to their selected supply chain (beyond what they appear to be currently doing). The first step in managerial problem-solving is prioritizing recommendations to address current key issues impacting selected supply chain performance. These ideas must help the supply chain to overcome major problems, uncertainties, risks, or other challenges presently preventing the supply chain from being competitive or of value to their customer. Some examples? Apply tools and techniques in any of the supply chain lessons. Week 2 – Evaluate locations for major stages in the supply chain and identify potential other locations to better support major supply chain network partners. For example, this may improve access to materials, labor, or other resources, reduce distance or inventory between stages, access customer channel that may be larger or less competitive, etc. Week 3 -For example, if major issue is slave labor, what global regulation and process could eliminate this problem? Is there a supplier (maybe in another location) that would better support this customer? Week 2/3 – Change supply chain configuration or architecture to better use lean and/or agility concepts to improve performance for mass customization needs and/or enhance customer experiences. Week 4 – Identify technology to digitize or automate processes to improve supply chain performance. We covered many technologies not prevalent in global supply chains. Be specific on what needs to be implemented to address issues. Week 4 – Pull financial data for a company in the supply chain and apply forecasting techniques to support recommendations on how to better use that forecasting technique. Week 5 – Assess inventory (can see on company financial data) or prices to recommend improvements in either of these aspects. This means thinking about capacity management and/or demand management depending on the perspectives of these aspects. Week 6 – Research transportation or warehousing strategies used by a company in the supply chain to recommend improvements to better support supply chain needs. What should each case include? Initial plans and evidence to justify your recommendations for problems selected. To begin thinking about Part B, ask yourself these questions as the above tutorial suggested collecting the research and data you need to answer them. What do you want to put in the proposal? Outline at least three supply chain tools and techniques from the lessons that you recommend to implement for improvements to the supply chain selected. These tools and techniques should address the priorities identified (or further researched since Part A feedback) for your selected supply chain. Leaders show logical and rational thinking by presenting evidence to support their recommendations. Why do they need to do? Research how these supply chain tools and techniques have impacted other supply chains. Estimate the benefits or value these tools and techniques would bring to the supply chain selected. Be specific on key supply chain performance measures estimating exactly how much the tools and techniques will improve them (yes, get to the numbers and Part A feedback may require more research to enable this in Part B). As you research other supply chains that have implemented similar ideas, ask: What benefits do they report? How did it enable them to be more competitive? Critically think how their project results could be related to your situation or ideas (this can be great evidence to support yourself). Revisit 1.3 sub-module for specific supply chain performance measures (major public corporations report financial statements to calculate as shown in 2.5 sub-module). When should they do? Think about what each supply chain partner may need to implement to support your recommendations. Look at case studies, current events, and other articles on companies/industries sharing similar projects they pursued for information on how they did them, as well as lessons learned so your plans avoid any issues they maybe have had too! Consider a schedule or sequence of at least three tasks or milestones for each recommendation over the next year (may extend longer depending on depth of ideas). What are further stakeholder needs? How much of an investment may be needed to implement your recommendations? What potential risks might be associated with implementing your recommendations? What other supply chain elements are interrelated or interdependent to your recommendations? Continue your research on others to answer these questions for your selected supply chain and recommendations. How to format this information? As covered in the above tutorial, prepare a template with four sub-headings building your business proposal. The next challenge is organizing this information collected in the above questions in a manner that is thorough, clear, and concise! As always use your research to support your assertions or opinions and always cite your sources. Executive Summary – Write last! This may be the only page read in the business world, so must thoroughly, clearly, and concisely explain your recommendations. Measures and Finances – Summarize and explain at least three performance measures you forecast or anticipate this business case will positively impact or benefit the supply chain. Be clear as to quantifying how much value your ideas bring as it typically helps to justify the project. Also list potential investment needs with a budget for the project. This should cover other scenarios or contingency plans that may be possible or needed to address potential risks you anticipate here too. Project Definition – Explain how this project would help the supply chain strategy be more competitive supporting it’s goals and objectives. Then further explain why they need to pursue your recommendations. Cover potential solutions with a minimum of three tools and techniques. Prepare decision matrix of various alternatives. Use weighted scoring or factor rating (covered in and ) to support prioritizing your recommended tools and techniques. Then clearly outline what they should do to implement your recommendations (. tasks, schedules, etc.). Project Organization – Summarize how project governance might be structured (. pinpoint what supply chain partners should be the project sponsor, as well as who should be on the project team, what particular key knowledge and skills may be needed, etc.). Suggest how project implementation might be further communicated and monitored to supply chain partners (. may include collaboration technologies, meeting frequencies and methods, status reports, etc.). How long should this submission be? Thorough enough to convey this key information for potential supply chain stakeholders. This may be only three pages depending on depth of ideas and analysis (no more than 5 pages, not including cover page and reference list). Also do not forget how to summarize information as organization of this information impacts length too. As always, citing sources is never optional, whether paraphrasing or quoting, and all sources cited should be on a reference page. This business case should justify the resources and expenses needed from stakeholders to build their commitment to move forward with implementing your recommendations. As the tutorial emphasized, this may become a valuable template to help students support future recommendations at work. For example, prepare a business case for an idea and take it to your boss or the owner (or other potential sponsor) to get their support and authorization to implement. Taking initiative as a leader can help to grow your career! After business cases are approved, that is typically when the next project management processes kick in (beyond our scope of Part B). Students are encouraged to schedule further courses in project management and may even want to plan elective courses now that can be applied to the post-baccalaureate Project Management Certificate (see academic advisor). That is all of the instructions. Thanks so much for doing great job on Part A and hopefully we can do the same for part B on this project. This course is very important to me and if we do good on this paper I promise to pay you back the favor vie tip!