Organization Solutions

Program Summary

Students enrolled in MGT 3280 Operations and Supply Chain Management work in teams to partner with a real organization to solve a case study problem. Case study problems have been provided by the following organizations:
• Core Technology
• FedEx
• Qorvo
• Fastenal
• Furnitureland South

Representatives from the organization will visit the class and present the case study problems to the teams. The teams will visit the organization to tour the facility and ask questions about the case study problem. Each group will then present their solutions for the case study problem in person to representatives of the organization toward the end of the semester.

Each team will strengthen and develop multiple life skills throughout this project:
• Applied Problem Solving & Critical Thinking: The teams must analyze and solve a complex, real-world problem facing the organization.
• Project Management: Managing the entire project lifecycle—from meeting with the client, coordinating team efforts, researching, developing solutions, and preparing the final presentation—teaches essential organizational and time management skills.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Working effectively in teams to coordinate research, divide tasks, and synthesize individual findings into a cohesive solution is a fundamental workplace skill.
• Formal Presentation Skills: Delivering a formal, in-person presentation to an external, professional audience is a high-pressure scenario that builds confidence, public speaking ability, and the skill to handle Q&A.

Program Objectives

Business Integration: Participants will be able to describe and explain how the functions of operations and supply chain management fit strategically within an organization’s overall business model.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Participants will gain the ability to apply and utilize both quantitative tools (e.g., formulas, data analysis) and qualitative factors (e.g., judgment, experience) to make effective operational decisions for various companies.
Collaborative Problem Solving: Participants will understand the importance of working effectively in a group setting to successfully tackle and solve complex, real-time challenges faced by an actual local corporation.
Real-World Application: Participants will develop practical experience by applying academic concepts to solve a current, live business issue.

Students must work together throughout an entire semester to solve a current real-life case study presented to them from a local organization. They will present their solutions to the executive team at the conclusion of their research and problem-solving exercise at the end of the semester.

Program Structure

Timeline:
Week 2 – Students receive the company name and case study assignment from the instructor.
Week 5 – Students meet with the company representative in class to ask questions about the case study problem. The company representative will present the case study and introduce the company.
Week 7 – students visit the company to see and learn about the company and the case study.
Week 10 – Students submit a draft of their presentation to the instructor.
Week 11 – Instructor provides feedback on the students’ presentations. Students revise their presentations based on the instructor’s feedback. Students finalize their presentations.
Week 13 – Students meet with the company representative to present their solutions to the case study problem.
Week 14: Team peer reviews completed.

The Program is designed for future business leaders who graduate from the Phillips School of Business and are enrolled in the Operations and Supply Chain Management course (MGT-3280)

Students majoring in and Phillips School of Business program are required to take this course (MGT-3280) during their educational experience.

The program duration is included very heavily in the 4-hour semester-long course.

Requirements

The Team Project: Each team must give a 10-minute presentation to the organization’s representatives. The presentation should be well-organized and use visuals to effectively communicate the team’s findings and recommendations.

The presentation must include the following slides:
– Title slide
– Problem statement
– Analysis of the problem
– Proposed solutions/Recommendations
– Works cited
– The presentation must also include graphs and charts to illustrate the team’s findings.

• Anonymous Peer Review Instrument Requirement: The peer review instrument should consider those items that each member of the team would like feedback on to further their personal and professional management development. Teams may be creative with the instrument, but all instruments should include areas for specific and descriptive feedback. Numerical rating systems by themselves are not sufficient. Instruments must provide descriptive, qualitative feedback to get full credit. Instruments should be available for use by individual team members no later than 5 days before the due date and submitted by each member of the team on the due date. Peer reviews will be considered in calculating the individual final grade for the team assignment.

*Reflection survey must be completed to earn Certification upon completion of the project