GUIDELINES FOR GROUP OBSERVATION PROJECT BUS 2103- OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (BMGN N460)

1. Project AimsThe aims of this GROUP Observation Project are to:(a) Enable students to apply and practice the principles and tools learnt in the classroom within a real workplace environment and(b) Enable the students to examine the complexity of the real workplace environment in order to re-emphasize the learning of these principles and tools.

2. Field Visits .Field visits will be organized for students to conduct observations of work processes of an organization. During these field visits, students will be given briefing and a tour of facilities to understand the corporate and operational aspects of the organization under review. 3. Project OutcomeStudents in groups shall produce a report of up to 3,000 words at the end of the project. The report shall also include references and diagrams where necessary to explain concepts and processes. 4. Learning Objectives AND Project ScopeStudents are required to conduct individual observations of work processes, the plan and design of manufacturing or service processes within an organizational setting to fulfill the following learning objectives namely:4.1 Learning Objectives:4.1.1 Recognize common and unique aspects of the UAE operating environment;4.1.2 Determine how the manufacture of a good, or provision of a service, fits into an organizations overall strategy;4.2 Project ScopeStudents shall focus their observations on the following:4.2.1 The Vision and Mission and Strategies of the OrganizationStudents shall understand the core business of the organization by detailing its Vision and Mission statements, its corporate and finally its operational strategies. The study of the mechanisms of how overall corporate strategy is translated into operational strategy must be conducted and detailed. Students should ask the following questions in order to aid their investigations namely:(a) What operational strategies are being used to create competitiveness in this specific industry;(b) How these strategies are implemented to achieve these specific corporate goals.4.2.2 The overall Supply Chain MechanismThe overall supply chain partners of the organization should be included in the project. Hence students must identify the complete supply chain partners of the organization under observation and explain how each will play a vital role in the organizations overall strategy.4.2.3. Work Processes that create valueStudents shall observe and describe the INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT of the organization in the report in order to understand the entire operational work processes. This must be done in an appended diagram and in the report content. Each INPUT- PROCESS- AND OUTPUT element must be identified and explained in detail. Students are also to observe the weaknesses and strengths of these work processes and ask themselves how these weaknesses could be overcome and strengths could be sustained. 4.2.4. Special Techniques, processes or skillsStudents should also identify special techniques or processes, possession of unique technology, or skills/talents of manpower that the organization under observation has availed itself to in order to develop its core competencies.4.2.5. Quality Management IssuesObservation of quality management issues must also be made. Students should ask how quality management element is maintained throughout the entire work processes and overall organization. 4.2.6 Capacity PlanningStudents should also ask about how the management of the organization plans their overall capacity in the process of producing value to customers. In this regards, what practical techniques are involved and how resources are managed to avoid constraints such as ; manpower, raw materials ,technical and process-based issues, are faced every day in the Yard.4.2.7. Forecasting techniquesOrganization does not work in a vacuum. They have to understand the daily work routines of their own plant and demand for the finished products/services. Students should ask what forecasting techniques or software systems the organization is currently using to meet their customers periodic demand and their own requirements for supplies of raw materials.

4.2.8 Layout and Facilities planningStudents are required to make observations about the layout and facilities planning of the Yard. They should ask questions about the advantages and challenges of the present layout of facilities, assets, raw materials and work units that will be most optimum in the use of space and efficiency in work processes due to effective layout planning.4.2.9 Other Information about the organizationStudents shall also detail appropriately the profile of the organization namely the legal name of the corporation, location, organizational chart, website, manpower size and name of the Chief executive officer or Managing Director , Annual turnover, annual performance, etc in the report.

5. Rubrics for assessmentThe report submitted shall be assessed in the following ways namely:5.1(a) Accuracy in APPLICATION of concepts learned in class 25%5.1(b) Strategic organizational Issues clearly identified and discussed 30%5.1(c) Effective Use of References and Diagram 20%5.1(d) Concise use of language and appropriate grammar 10%5.1(e) Effective and appropriate Formatting and paragraphing style 10%5.1 (f) Appropriate Use of countrys statistics and local information 5%

6. Report Format and DeadlineThe report shall use the A4 size with complete content page and appropriate numbering. The report cover shall bear the names and student identification numbers in the Group. The cover page shall also include the following signed declaration by the students. We undertake to treat information obtained by us in the course of the observation and writing of this report through the official channel of organization with strictest of confidence. The information is purely used for our studies. Under no circumstances shall we communicate with other third party, who are not related with this project, without the written approval of the organization concerned. _________________Signed by All students in the Group.

The deadline for the report shall be on the 30th May. Late submission will be penalized in accordance with the Colleges established rules.

7. Final GradeThis Group observation project report shall amount up to 20% towards the final grade.

8. SubmissionEach group shall submit ONE report through BBLearn SafeAssign page to be graded.9. ContactIn the event of doubt, students shall contact the respective instructors to seek further advice.Instructors:

The Plan and Design of the manufacturing or service processes of the organizationStudents should be familiar with the detailed work processes namely the INPUT-PROCESS-OUTPUT aspects.

2. Scope of the projectStudents are required to make observations of the