Essay BEMM114: Managing Operations – Capacity Planning Through Use of Computer Modelling and Simulation – Management Assignment Help

Assignment Task:

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION 

Component 1: Group report and a simulation model  
This assignment requires you to first carry out an observational study of an operations system and then to write a report summarising your findings with the objective of improving the observed process. In particular, the Group Report will provide an outline of the service/manufacturing process observed, the workflow, the bottlenecks existing in the system, strategies for improving the operational efficiency, etc. These strategies will guide the implementation of your Simul8 computer model. All members are to be involved in every stage of the simulation study and are to collectively write the group report and develop the simulation model.

The word limit for the group report is maximum of 2500 words (including +10% allowance); Illustrations, tables, screenshots and references are excluded from the word count. 
 
Although all group members are to engage in every stage of the simulation study, it is advisable for individual members to take lead on specific aspects of the study and to co-ordinate write-up for their sections. For example:

Group member 1: Can take the lead on process observation + write-up
Group member 2: Data collection + write-up
Group member 3: Model implementation (can be two members, in case you are six in one group; each member will report on a specific part of the model) + write-up
Group member 4: Developing experiment scenarios + write-up
Group member 5: Result and Analysis + write-up

Stages of a simulation study and examples of what can be included in specific sections of the group report (this is not exhaustive): 

(a) Observing a Process: 
You will begin by visiting a service or manufacturing outlet, e.g., a bank, a coffee shop, a fast-food restaurant, a small factory, the student information desk located in the forum, etc. You may also discuss an operating system based on your previous experience (e.g., previous work in a call centre, family-run manufacturing facility). You will investigate how the establishment operates, for example, the process flow, staff interaction with customers, how space is utilised, what facilities are provided, what different functions are carried on? You will need to include a process flow diagram (flowchart). 

(b) Data collection 
For the data collection element of this study, you will gather data from the service/manufacturing entity that was observed. For example, if it is a café then the data can be customer arrivals, the number of staff members serving the customers, the different groups of staff (e.g., in a restaurant you may have employees who take customer orders, those responsible for replenishing items in a buffet, cashiers), service time and any data you feel is relevant in conceptualising the customer service experience in the context of reducing customer service time, process improvement, etc. In other words, if you were the manager what data would you need in order to take decisions concerning reducing the customer wait time and improving process flow? In most cases, data collected from 30-45 minutes of observation at service peak time (e.g., lunch hour rush in the student cafeteria, Saturday morning for a bank) should be sufficient. For the data collection part of this study, you will list at least six variables for which you collected data, justify as to why you consider these variables important, present raw data (in tables) and derive the distribution to be used in the computer model. 

(c) Implementation of a computer simulation model 
You will implement a Simulate model of the operations process you have observed in stage (a). You will need to state the probability distributions used in the model and provide justification/show relationship with the data captured in stage (b). You are required to run the computer model (base model). You will include simulation screenshots showing your implementation. 

(d) Developing scenarios and experimentation 
You will need to discuss a minimum of three experiment scenario and provide a rationale for the same. You will then discuss the results of the simulation experiments, compared also with the base model in stage (c). You will include simulation screenshots showing your implementation of the experiment scenarios. 

(e) Analysis and recommendation 
With inputs from stages (c) and (d), justify your recommendations for improving the system. You will to present simulation results that are obtained and provide an analysis for every scenario.  

Component 2: Group Presentation with Q&A 

The group members will need to prepare a PowerPoint presentation and will demonstrate the Simul8 model (submitted as part of component 1) to the panel of markers. This will be followed by a Q&A session. It is expected that each presentation will last for approx. 20 minutes (including Q&A time).

CRITERIA FOR MARKING

Component 1: Group report and a simulation model  
A1 – Outline of the process that is observed, identification of bottlenecks/challenges, opportunities for improvement
A2 – How the analysis is presented in the Group Report (e.g., in terms of problem conceptualisation, data collection, model implementation, scenario development and experimentation) and progression of logic and flow among the stages of the simulation study
A3 – Inclusion of relevant illustrations (flowchart), tables with raw data, screenshots of the base computer model and the different scenarios,  tables with parameter selection and simulation output, etc.
A4 – Recommendations and how they relate back to the opportunities for improvement
A5 – Novelty in conceptualisation/implementation/scenario dev./experimentation (including use of advanced Simul8 features, self-learning)

Component 2: Group Presentation with Q&A 
B1 – Context (e.g., the group demonstrates knowledge of the subject area, demonstrates appropriate skills in analysis, evaluation and application, provide evidence to support the arguments, the presentation is interesting) – 30% 
B2 – Structure/Logic (e.g., highlight important points, uses linking, sequencing, summarising, provide appropriate closure) – 30% 
B3 – Delivery/Presentation (e.g., Voice is clear, is articulate, fluent, makes good eye contact, audio-visual aids are readable and clear, good posture/appearance, adequate pace, pauses, well organised and within the time limit) – 20% 
B4 – Handling Questions (e.g., the group responds/engages in discussion, manages the audience well, demonstrates knowledge, depth of answer is good)