Assignment on Operations Research Project and System Dynamics Approach

Learning Outcomes and Assignment Brief

This Assignment assesses the following module Learning Outcomes (from Definitive Module Document):

1. Evaluate quantitative modelling concepts for problem solving and decision making.
2. Critique the logical process of modelling complex decision problems.
3. Apply techniques and practice to model real world problems.
4. Derive solution(s) using a suitable software package when required.
5. Critically analyse and report results individually and as a group.

Assignment Brief:

Assume that you have been appointed by a medium-sized manufacturing and services enterprise, SmartSus Ltd, and that you are tasked by the enterprise to undertake an operations research project. The project involves simulation modelling and reporting. The task is in two parts as follows.

Part I

The first part of the project (Part I) requires that you:

1. a) Use Witness simulation software to develop a Witness simulation model for the grocery store scenario described in Case Study I on Page 5 below.
2. b) Use the Witness simulation model developed to simulate the utilisation of the three checkout stands in the grocery store scenario, for 480 minutes. Record your results.
3. c) Present your findings, including a critical discussion of the results. State your assumptions.
4. d) Present to management of SmartSus Ltd the effect of closing one of the three checkout stands on service levels.

Part II

System dynamics is a popular approach to understanding the nonlinear behaviour of complex systems over time In this part of the assignment, you are required to: a) describe the systems dynamics approach, and b) critique a selected application of system dynamics in logistics. You should select a relevant application of your choice from the literature to critique. Presentation:

You must present your work as follows.

Part I

You are required to document your answer to Part I of this assignment as a PowerPoint presentation with voice over; this requires that you add voice over your PowerPoint slides. The following are some important considerations for the PowerPoint presentation.

1. Your PowerPoint presentation must be limited to a maximum of four (4) minutes duration.
2. Ensure that your PowerPoint presentation is well-structured.
3. Take advantage of adding voiceover to your presentation, by ensuring that the key points are clearly discussed, and that the presentation captures the audience’s attention.
4. You are expected to provide a significant range of secondary sources to underpin your work. These should be cited and referenced according to the Harvard Referencing System. For the PowerPoint presentation, present the list of references at the end of the presentation and ensure that the references are cited at relevant, appropriate, places during the presentation.
5. Number all the PowerPoint presentation slides.

Presentations shorter than the allowable duration will not lose marks but will lead to the omission of material which can gain them. Any presentation over the specified four minutes maximum duration will be stopped at four minutes and the rest of the slides ignored i.e. not marked.

Part II

Your submission for Part II of this assignment must be a written report. The report must contain no more than 1500±10% words including any diagrams, calculations, figures and/or tables where appropriate. Reports shorter than the word count will not lose marks but will lead to the omission of material which can gain them. Any words over the suggested word count will not be marked. Do not use any mechanism, such as embedded jpeg images containing significant text, to circumvent the word count.

You are expected to provide a range of secondary sources to underpin your work. These must be cited and referenced according to the Harvard Referencing System. Include the word count in the header of your report.

Ensure that your report is well-structured and choose appropriate number and titles for the sections of the report please. There is no need to number the references section.

Your report must follow the content and guidance above and must include the specific instructions outlined below.

1. Word-process the report on A4 paper.
2. Use 1.15 line spacing.
3. Font type must be Arial (font size11).
4. Number all pages.
5. Ensure that all diagrams / tables are labelled and numbered.
6. Grammar, spelling and style, as well as clarity, contribute towards the assessment of the report.
7. Use British Spelling i.e. ‘English (UK) Language’.
8. Justify paragraphs – Align text to both left and right margins, using your word processor to add extra space between words as necessary.
9. You are expected to provide a significant range of secondary sources to underpin your work.

These should be cited and referenced according to the Harvard Referencing System.

Additional Note on Referencing: Mark is allocated for referencing in this assignment, and the mark is influenced by the thoroughness and integrity of the work as evidenced by your referencing. Marks are awarded not only for correct referencing practice, but also the extent to which the arguments have been supported by cited sources.

Knowledge and understanding of the subject particularly in the context of the topics covered in this assignment.

Part I (Video Presentation)

1. a) Description of the process, presentation of a process map for the grocery store scenario and the assumptions.
2. b) Quality of the Witness simulation developed. 10
3. c) Presentation of findings and critical discussion of results. 10
4. d) Effect of closing one of the three checkout stands on service levels 10

Overall presentation of the video, including referencing. 5

Part II (Written Report)

1. a) Description of the systems dynamics approach. 15
2. b) Critique of a selected application of system dynamics in logistics. 25

Overall presentation of the report, including referencing.