CASE STUDY

Pick a company with which you are familiar

(preferably the one you undergone your Inplant training)

Write an article about it with the following sections: 1. Introduction 2. Product 3. Process 4. Location 5. Layout 6. Human resources 7. Summarize

1.INTRODUCTION
Give a brief overview of the company including its product or services, location, history.

2.PRODUCT
Describe the product or product mix or service in more detail.

a. If a product, show a picture or diagram and/or an assembly drawing. If you have a product mix, show a typical product or a few typical products. b. If a service, a flow chart may be appropriate or the flow chart may fit better in the process section. c. What created the opportunity for your product or service?

Product.cont
d. Do you make or buy your product or service? Explain. e. What issues are involved in the design of your product or service? Environmental issues,robust design, value analysis, modular, manufacturability, etc. f. Where is the product or service in its life cycle?

3.PROCESS
Give an overview and flow diagram of the process. If your process is very complex, give an overview
a. Is your process product focus, repetitive, process focus or something else. Explain. b. If a service, discuss customer interaction and process strategy c. Discuss any environmental issues involved in your process.

Process,cont.
d. Discuss technology used in your process. e. Discuss the information systems that support your process. f. Discuss any issues that pertain to capacity. What determines capacity for your process? How do you deal with uneven demand?

4. LOCATION
Explain why your business is located where it is. Discuss issues pertinent to its location.

5. LAYOUT
What type of layout does your company have? What is the rationale behind the layout? Show a diagram. How can it be improved?

6. HUMAN RESOURCES
a. Does your company have a stable workforce or does it chase demand? b. Describe work scheduling at your company. c. Does your company have work classifications? If so, describe.

Human resources,Cont.
d. Give an overview of compensation and incentives at your company. This does not mean to give numbers which are confidential. It does mean to describe whether employees are compensated by the hour, piecework, commission, knowledge, or salary and whether there is an incentive plan such as profit sharing or gain sharing. Does the compensation/incentive plan motivate the employees? Critique the plan.

Human resources,Cont
e. Describe your companys safety program. f. Discuss working conditions at your company. g. Does your company use visual signals/aids for communication as described in the visual workplace section? If so, describe.

8. SUMMARIZE
By linking these strategies to your mission and goals. You may make recommendations for improvements.