Understand and justify how organizations secure and deploy their resources both in a traditional and digital environment according to their capability and capacity

Assignment Brief

Learning outcomes addressed

• Understand and justify how organizations secure and deploy their resources both in a traditional and digital environment according to their capability and capacity
• Understand and evaluate and use business data analysis to provide a range of solutions for a business problem
• Use all appropriate information and internet-based technologies available effectively within a professional context
• Understand how organisations use technologies to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Analyse a business situation and provide a number of possible suitable solutions.
• Communicate effectively in an appropriate medium and style with regard to audience and desired emotional effect

Report Brief

The portfolio assessment will examine the body of knowledge derived from a range of learning outcomes covered in the module and allows students to undertake research and investigations and make conclusions on business cases.

Portfolio contents include 3 ITEMS WHICH ARE:

• a simulation game score relating to an operation’s business performance for Module 1 and Module 2 (3 attempts required for each module and 3 screenshots in total provided);
• ~600 written words considering the fundamentals of operations management in an applied context drawn from module 1 of the game;
• and a further ~600 written words considering a specific applied operational practice as related to a set of critical questions drawn from module 2 of the game.

Note that the result of the game will not be used to determine your mark for  Assessment 1;  it is pertinent though that the outcome is used to show that you have learned theoretical and practical perspectives of operations management from the simulation experience. Failure to produce the 3 screenshots will result in 15 marks deduction

The Portfolio Assessment should include the topic areas covered in the first 5 weeks of the semester showing your knowledge and understanding of:

• The current functional purpose of operations management
• Supply chain management

In Section 1 you must provide three screenshots from the simulation game.

• One screenshot with a report of your attempts (3 attempts per module)
• One Screenshot with the financial history for module 1
• One Screenshot with the financial history for module 2 (PowerPoint slides on Blackboard for more details and guidance)
• 2.1 Introduction – Identify & Discuss operations management and its purpose in the manufacturing context as seen also in the simulation game
• 2.2 Operations in practice - Apply theories of operations management in the context of the factory and explain how these can enable reputation and organizational performance
• 2.3 Operations performance – Evaluate the impact of your operational decisions in the manufacturing context and potential trade offs

1st Learning outcome:

Section 2 Written personal reflection on operational business decisions made within the game. In section 2 (module 1 in the simulation game) you must present your work in three subsections which are as follows:

Section 3 (Undertaking supply chain management responsibilities). In section 3 (module 2 in the simulation game) you must present your responses to the tasks and questions based on the context of the factory environment within the game in two subsections which are as follows:

• 3.1 - Supplier selection process – In the simulation game you are required to select suppliers from whom you will order the raw materials required for the manufacturing process; discuss the way the supplier selection is done and the importance of supplier relationships and trust. Provide an applied example of the supplier selection as associated to two of the suppliers within the simulated environment. Explain and reflect on how the performance factors and the environmental challenges impact the company’s performance when considered individually as well as part of an operational strategic rationale.
• 3.2 - Delivery of finished goods to your customers – Explain how the inventory management and the shipping department help manage the fulfilment of the contract and the implications of ‘inspecting quality’ at the final stage of production. Examine how you address the possible shortfall in quantity and quality of finished goods and how you can potentially prevent it by applying operations management principles in a sustainable way using relevant techniques.

You need to demonstrate understanding of how organizations effectively manage the range of operational functions and business in an evolving business context, as well ability to reflect on operations theory while making informed suggestions using theories and applied practices with the support of academic sources.

The report must include evaluation and reflection on the practical application of operations management theories and principles with reference to the simulation game (modules 1&2) and supported by findings from academic and practitioner literature. You must use reputable and recognised sources to conduct your research and avoid using obscure websites.

The deadline for the report is Monday 2nd November 2020, 1.00 p.m.

You are allowed multiple attempts at submission leading up to the deadline. You will be able to see your Turnitin similarity score after each attempt’s submission.

Report Organization

Understand and justify how organizations secure and deploy their resources both in a traditional and digital environment according to their capability and capacity

The length of the report is 1200 words– The limit excludes game score result reports, game support statement, title page, table of contents, diagrams, tables, figures, reference list and appendices.

You should write in clear, concise and correct English. Remember to Spell check, Grammar check and Proofread. Do not put far too many points into one paragraph. Keep the points separate, at the very least by using a new paragraph for each point.

Format: PDF or Word document, page numbers, 1.5 line spacing, normal margins, Arial 12 point font

Document Name: Ops_Dig_Bus_A1_PORTFOLIO_SEM1

Assessment title: Operations Management & Supply Chain Management in Manufacturing

The report should have a suitable structure and may follow the recommended structure:

• Title Page (state the title and the word count)
• Disability Statement (if applicable)
• Table of Contents (list of sections, tables, figures and appendix items)
• Section 1 - Simulation Game Score Report and supporting statement (if needed)
• Section 2 - Written personal reflection on operational business decisions made within the game
• Section 3 – Undertaking supply chain management responsibilities
• Conclusions
• References
• Appendices

Sample Answer

Operations Management & Supply Chain Management in Manufacturing

Table of Contents

1. Section 1 – Simulation Game Score Report

2. Section 2 – Reflection on Operational Business Decisions

   • 2.1 Introduction

   • 2.2 Operations in Practice

   • 2.3 Operations Performance

3. Section 3 – Supply Chain Management Responsibilities

   • 3.1 Supplier Selection Process

   • 3.2 Delivery of Finished Goods

4. Conclusions

5. References

6. Appendices

Section 1 – Simulation Game Score Report

This section provides evidence of participation in the simulation game across Module 1 and Module 2. The three screenshots highlight the operational and financial outcomes based on decisions made during gameplay. These results are not used for grading, but they serve as practical insight into operations and supply chain management.

Section 2 – Reflection on Operational Business Decisions

2.1 Introduction

Operations Management (OM) refers to the planning, organising, and overseeing of production and manufacturing activities to ensure efficient use of resources, consistent quality, and timely delivery. In a manufacturing context, OM ensures that raw materials are converted into finished products in a cost-effective manner. The simulation game provided a practical environment to apply OM theories, focusing on key activities such as resource allocation, process design, inventory control, and performance monitoring.

Through this simulation, I observed how critical OM is for ensuring operational efficiency, reducing waste, and meeting customer expectations. For example, in Module 1, decisions around staffing, machine utilisation, and production schedules directly impacted financial performance, which is consistent with theories of capacity planning and lean operations (Slack et al., 2020).

2.2 Operations in Practice

The simulation illustrated the practical application of OM theories like the Transformation Model, which emphasises converting inputs (materials, labour, and capital) into outputs (finished goods). Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cost, quality, speed, and flexibility were affected by choices I made regarding equipment maintenance and workforce scheduling.

Lean management principles were applied to reduce waste by streamlining production processes and improving workflow. For instance, by applying Just-in-Time (JIT) principles, I managed to align raw material ordering with production needs, reducing storage costs. Furthermore, Total Quality Management (TQM) was explored by focusing on defect reduction and customer satisfaction, reinforcing the importance of continuous improvement.

These practices helped to strengthen organisational performance and reputation within the simulated environment, reflecting real-world OM where firms that optimise operations often gain competitive advantage.

2.3 Operations Performance

The decisions taken in the game influenced several operational outcomes. For example, increasing machine uptime through preventive maintenance improved production reliability but came with higher upfront costs. This reflects a classic performance trade-off in OM, where enhancing one aspect, like quality, may reduce efficiency or increase cost (Hill, 2005).

Another key trade-off was between inventory levels and responsiveness. Holding higher inventory ensured customer orders were fulfilled quickly but led to higher holding costs. Balancing these variables is a common challenge in OM, where the Theory of Constraints (TOC) can help identify bottlenecks limiting throughput.

Ultimately, the game demonstrated that successful operations depend on strategic decision-making, backed by data analysis, and awareness of the limitations in both traditional and digital resource deployment.

Continued...