Assignment Instructions – Unit 5

Assignment Instructions – Unit 5

Research a manufacturing organization of your choice, and describe its strategic manufacturing policy. (Note: You may choose a private-sector or public-sector organization; however, more information will be available for a private-sector, publicly traded company). Your description should consider long-term issues (1–5 years), and include a discussion of the following topics:

· Products or services

· Markets and customers

· Suppliers, vendors, and supply chain partners

· Facilities (e.g., plants, distribution centers, and so on)

Describe the following characteristics to be included in the strategic planning process:

· Alignment of manufacturing strategy with corporate/business-level strategy

· Product/process alternatives (make-to stock, make-to order, etc.)

· Inventory policies (service levels, order quantity/frequency, etc.)

· Capacity planning alternatives (chase, level, etc.)

· Long-range forecasting techniques (quantitative and qualitative)

· Make or buy decisions (outsourcing, etc.)

· Interfaces/coordination with other business functions (marketing, etc.)

· Initiatives to improve operations (continuous improvement, lean/agile, TOC, etc.)

· Metrics to measure manufacturing performance

· Cost

· Quality

· Speed

· Reliability/dependability

· Flexibility

· Productivity/efficiency/utilization

· Sustainability

· Other metrics

Finally, what manufacturing strategy improvements would you suggest for this organization?

Prepare a research paper of 8–10 pages (excluding title page, abstract, references page, and appendices) in APA format presenting the items listed above. A minimum of five (5) peer-reviewed academic or professional references must be used in the paper.