In Module Three, students will apply the information learned in the previous modules and submit the Operations Management portion of their final project. This module covers the process of location selection and the identification of IT systems to support production operations, specifically enterprise resource planning (ERP) and materials requirements planning (MRP).The business location selection process is technical and involves the use of quantitative tools. A business may consider several locations and then make the most lucrative decision based on the analysis. For example, a manufacturer that ships to several specific warehouse locations must consider the set distance and the tonnage of product shipped to each location to logically compare the shipping costs to and from various locations. In retail, a retailer must consider the location in terms of cost and proximity to customers. This is also common for service businesses. Hair salons must consider the customer traffic potential at various locations and the cost of the site to make the best choice among multiple options.The adaption of a production management information system (MIS) is one of the most important decisions a business manager makes. Over the last several decades, the concept of the ERP system has been embedded in many businesses. An ERP MIS seeks to integrate various areas of the company, such as planning, purchasing, inventory, production, sales, marketing, finance, and human resources. ERP has enormous potential for a firm but because of the sheer magnitude of the IS data requirements, ERP proves to be an enormous undertaking. However, for the purposes of this course, students will use ERP or MRP as the chosen method to manage the IS needs for their company.In Module Four, product/service design, just-in-time (JIT), and lean operations will be covered. This design will provide the basis of the new business opportunity that the student will be deploying in a later module. The creation of a project management plan for this business opportunity will be the topic of the final project due in Module Nine.  Submit the Operations Management section (Section I) of your project management plan.

Assess the history and trends of operations management, focusing on the business or company from your business plan in the Marketing and Strategy course. Provide rationale for the selection of your business development opportunity. Detail initial estimates of demand based on your forecasts and justify your selection of forecasting methods. Determine site location(s) and provide specific quantitative rationale for your selection.

For additional details, please refer to the Final Project Guidelines and Rubric document and the Milestone One Guidelines and Rubric document.