15.763  Manufacturing Systems and Supply Chain Design

Preparation for May 16: FlexCap

I have posted an assignment on the Material page (Class 13 folder). Please look at this and do as much as you can. There is no written assignment to submit. But preparing this assignment will make for a more interesting class!

Announced on 11 May 2018  10:54  a.m. by Stephen C Graves

Preparation for May 14: Manzana Case

Please submit a short write-up of at most one page that addresses the following questions:
Based on data in the case how long do you expect that it would take the Fruitvale Branch to process each type of request? It is OK to make some simplifying assumptions, and to use queuing models, as applicable, to get an estimate.

In addition some questions for preparation of Manzana Insurance – Fruitvale Branch: (DO NOT WRITE UP)

1. What is the basis for competition in the market that Fruitvale serves?

2. What is your assessment of the rules used to assign priorities at Fruitvale?

3. What are the important measures of operating performance for the Fruitvale branch? How well has the branch been performing according to these measures?

4. Why have profits been deteriorating?

5. What are your recommendations for managerial action? In particular, how should they respond to Golden Gate’s new policy of one day service?

Announced on 10 May 2018  7:29  a.m. by Stephen C Graves

Comments on Sourcing Mix and Wilkins

Hi Class,
We have finished grading the Sourcing Mix and Wilkins case. Grades are available on Stellar now. You can pick your printed copy in E62-555.
————————————————————————————
Below are some comments.

Sourcing Mix
B
- Determine minimum total cost solution is $2,370
B+
- Make clear whether grade-sizes need to be single sourced or can be partially sourced from different vendors. If partial sourcing allowed, then solution could be epsilon close to $2,370
A-
- Recognize for many grade-sizes vendor Delta is not much more expensive and carries full array of products.
- Clearly and concisely explain sourcing strategy
A
- Add more convincing insights into analysis; for example, maximum cost is $2,380 which acts to bound how expensive steady-state policy could be.

Wilkins
Safety stock = Z * sigma * sqrt(lead time) OR Z * sigma * sqrt(lead time + review period),
where
the sigma is the standard deviation for weekly orders := weekly CV (0.4) * expected weekly orders (different for each quarter);
the lead time is 2 wks.

Thank you all!

Sincerely,
Wei

Announced on 07 May 2018  8:52  a.m. by Wei Yu

End of Term Planning

In consultation with Sean, we are making a slight tweak to the schedule for the remaining five sessions, so as to try to smooth your workload; the current plan is:

May 2, Lean system Queueing Model Case (short write-up due)

May 7, Lecture on Supply Chain contracts (no assignment)

May 9, BugFig Brands case (write up due)

May 14, Manzana case (short write up due)

May 16, Flexibility (no assignment due)

If you have any concerns or questions, please let me know.

Announced on 30 April 2018  11:36  a.m. by Stephen C Graves

Preparation for May 2 Class

For Wednesday, please review the case posted in "Class 09" folder, and familiarize yourself with the model and spreadsheet for evaluating the model. Please consider the questions raised at the end of the case.

To hand in, in ten sentences or less, share one insight you learned after working through the spreadsheet and accompanying questions for reflection.

Announced on 30 April 2018  10:38  a.m. by Stephen C Graves