OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

  
Assignments:
1. Term Paper Requirements:
Each student will prepare both a 4 -6 page written report and deliver as if to the class a presentation that would support a brief oral presentation. Complete details of the term paper assignment are attached and entitled “Term Paper Outline”.
Basis for Term Paper Grading:
One grade will be assigned for each of the written report and the powerpoint presentation. The written report grade will represent 100 of a total of 400 points of each student’s final grade for the semester. Even though we are not in a classroom setting, you are to prepare a powerpoint presentation for your term paper which will be graded separately from your paper it will represent 30 of the total of 400 points of the student’s final grade for the semester. The written report and PowerPoint presentation must be submitted to the Professor electronically on blackboard in Microsoft Word  and PowerPoint formats respectively.
Mid Term and Final Exams:
As indicated on the class agenda, there will be both a Mid Term and a Final Exam. The format of these Exams will be primarily short essay type questions whose answers will have both qualitative and quantitative components. The exams will be submitted via Blackboard.
Term Paper Outline
Background:
You have recently been hired as part of annual class of trainees at a major company (completely your choice) . After a few days of orientation, you begin its trainee “rotation” through several departments across the firm. The first unit you are assigned to is the ___________________ Department where, as an initial project, you are asked to research and study the processes and controls of that department. Your job is to fully explain how that department works and what controls are or should be in place.
Your manager wants you to prepare a written report analyzing the chosen department. In addition, he asks you to give him an oral presentation of your findings and conclusions once you have completed your analysis.
Selection of the Department:
Each student will choose a department of interest from within the company. Research will show dozens of potential departments. The students may choose any department that interests them.
Format for Written Report:
The written report should be organized in the following order:
Section I: Executive Summary (1 page)
Section II: Detailed Analysis (3 to 5 pages)
Section III: Attached Addenda (bibliography, copy of financial statements, comparisons, charts, articles etc.)
Proper identification of the processes within the researched department.
Overall organization of the paper and presentation.
Accurate calculations of chosen financial ratios.
Strong support for the conclusions reached about relative importance of various processes.
The use of multiple research sources to develop the content of your term paper is expected. Information from electronic sources, books, journals, newspapers, business publications and corporations themselves, is acceptable and should be included in the bibliography. Your presentation should demonstrate your proficiency with commonly used computer technology. 

2. You will prepare a powerpoint presentation to accompany your paper. You should prepare it as if you will be presenting it to the entire class, even though that will not actually occur. Submit your powerpoint to the assignment section.