Reflection

Competency 1: Evaluate data-driven processes and approaches of an organization's operations.

This reflection activity is comprised of two sections, collective.

Operations Management

Explain what work in operations management looks like and what key operational decisions a firm needs to make to match supply with demand.Determine how to improve process efficiency by off-loading a bottleneck or how to balance a process by relocating work from one step to another.

Evaluate the Lean Philosophy

Choose 3 of the following questions to discuss:

• What is the Lean concept and why is it important to study?
• How can Lean be applied to manufacturing and service processes?
• Will Lean work in service environments? Why or why not?
• Discuss ways to use Lean to improve 1 of the following: a pizza restaurant, a hospital, or an auto dealership.
• Why is Lean hard to implement in practice?

Explain the relationship between quality and productivity under the Lean philosophy.