Operations
&
Systems,
DSMBA­620,
Fall
2009


As stated in the Operations & Systems syllabus, one primary learning device in this course is the development of an
Operations Plan for a real or fictitious company. As soon as possible, you should self-organize into a team with up
to four (4) students who are interested in the same project. Let your instructor know if you need assistance.

Each team’s Operations Plan project should cover the following:

1. Write an Executive Summary and open your presentation with a 5-minute discussion on these two
elements of your Operation Plan:
a. Corporate Strategy (Vision/Goal—overview of the business activity/purpose)
b. Timeline with key milestones in your plan
2. Create an Organizational Chart for your company
3. Discuss the Divisional Strategy (only applicable for a multi-divisional companies and should correlate to
the Corporate Strategy).
4. Develop the Functional Strategy for the following departments/activities (see NOTE below)
a. Cost Analysis
b. Demand Forecast
c. Operational Strategy (Manufacturing, Services, etc.)
d. Process Description
e. Inventory and Logistical Management Plan
f. Total Quality Management Strategy
g. R&D
h. Marketing
i. Organizational Structure
j. Human Resources (Hiring and Managing Plan)
NOTE: These departments/activities are not all inclusive and they are not listed in any particular order.
Some of the above departments/activities will apply to some projects more than others. Depending on the
key strategies of your real or fictitious company, some areas will be more developed than others. Apply
everything you have learned in the MBA in Design Strategy program (marketing, finance, economics,
sustainability, leadership and operations) as you develop your plan.

CONSULTANTS: Bob Sevy and Tim Smith will be available during Residencies 3 and 4 as consultants to your
team. You should use of this consultant opportunity wisely and come prepared with an outline and list of questions
that makes the most of your 30-minute time slot (one time slot for each team during Residencies 3 and 4).

DUE DATES:
• October 10: Send an email to Tim Smith with the names of students on your project team.
• October 22 (Residency 3): A draft Outline of your team’s Operations Plan should be completed with a
minimum of the Corporate Strategy (1a) and Organizational Chart (2). You should also prepare questions
for your team’s 30-minute consultant session with Bob or Tim.
• December 10 (Residency 5): Each team will turn in a written version of the plan during the final Residency
and be given 20 minutes to deliver a PowerPoint presentation on their plan. The development and delivery
of your team’s Operations Plan will make up 50% of the course grade.

A tool to help with your Functional Strategy (#4) is the generic value chain, developed by Harvard professor
Michael Porter, that shows the relationships of the activities that create a product or service (see links below).
http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/value-chain/
http://www.timporter.com/epoch/htdocs/images/report_images/crm/crm_f05large.pdf

Operations
Plan
Instructions.doc