Aarhus Universitet Business and Social Sciences AU Herning Birk Centerpark 15, 7400 Herning Course name
Interdisciplinary project with focus upon operation management
Course provider and course code
GMM
Compulsory / Elective
Elective
TDPR2
ECTS
Guideline number of lessons
5 App. equivalent to a workload of 120 hours per student
Language of instruction
Danish / English
Prerequisites
Purpose
Objective of the course
The objective of the project work will be to provide the students with knowledge about the central working methods and theories within main areas of operations management In addition, the objective of the project is furthermore to enable the student to give an account of this learning and knowledge, to use this knowledge and to formulate and demonstrate the knowledge in the following way to complete the course: -
knowledge and understanding of production technology and the logistical environment in a company. understanding of technology aspects in regard to the flow of materials and information using acquired theoretical knowledge and working methods on practical operational problems in a company. improving the students skills within problem solving and project report writing improve the students understanding of the theory of and the paradigms and scientific methods in the field of operations management reflecting over the profession regarding operations management and its
contribution to value creation ensure an exchange of values between the education and the profession in order to incorporates central ideas and tendencies in the education - the students understanding of the importance of processes and cross functional coherence in a company Central issues for the course -
Contents
The contents must be within the field of Operations Management and can include areas taught in earlier semesters e.g. supply chain management and quality management The project must include the use of at least two scientific articles The following areas are estimated as being suitable as subjects for the TDPR2. The list is not exhaustive and serves as a catalogue for inspiration: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Planning and control Layout‐ and flow efficiency Maintenance and improvements Job design and optimization Basic sourcing and purchasing issues Process design and optimization Manufacturing and risk management Quality management and manufacturing / operations management
The topic for the project must be approved by your supervisor Through the project, the students obtain practical knowledge about working in a project group and about project management. The planning of the project and the scheduling and management of task during the process must be documented by e.g. “MS PROJECT” In general, the project report must contain the following: Identification of the problem and it background / importance Identification of the problem statement Choice of paradigms, methods and research methodology Reflections upon choice of scientific approach and theories Collection and structuring of empirical data Analysis and presentation of the research results Reflections upon validity and reliability in the project and approach Draw‐up and choice of proposed solution Implications of the solution and relevant considerations around implementation The project must consist of the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Main report, max. 50 pages, 2 – 3 students, excluding front page, index and appendices. For groups with more than 3 students the max. will be 60 pages Management report Appendices Process report including project management documentation
Knowledge, skills and qualifications
Teaching method
Type of examination – incl. specification of reexamination type
Knowledge and understanding Operation management in a scientific context, the paradigms and methods used The role of operations management in a company and the parameters effecting this internally and externally Theories and models to be used in relation to a specific context Trends and developments within operations management and their use How to produce and document knowledge and how choice of model and methods may influence the solution, validity and reliability Operations management in a business strategy context Skills Analyse a production, service or maintenance system and the related processes Identify and evaluate models and methods in regard to a specific problem Define a research strategy and conduct gathering of empirical data Use scientific methods and terms in regard to the project and its conclusions Analyse and use existing scientific and practical knowledge critically and structured Manage the knowledge creation process from problem statement to solution Qualifications Define and delimit a problem area and state the problem to be solved Create and use a project phase model to document your approach and choice of theory and methods Document solutions and own learning and the conditions under which this can be used in a wider context Conduct information gathering and structuring of empirical data Project management and documentation Project work with supervision, in a group of 2 – 4 students. It must be clear which part each student has prepared. TDPR2 is evaluated through an oral individual examination based on the project. The examination takes place on the basis of the main report including management report, process report, appendices, and enclosures. The examination will take place as follows ‐ Optional group presentation , app 10 ‐ 15 minute (maximum). The group presentation is optional and does not have influence on the grade. ‐ It is allowed to include project related conditions, dealing with subjects not addressed in the report. - Individual examination. Each member of the group is examined for approximately 20 minutes. The students will receive an individual mark according to the Danish 7‐step scale. External examiner.
The re‐examination: The student must prepare a new project which is evaluated by the teacher and an external examiner. The time for the new project will be 7 weeks.
Censorship
External censorship
Practical information.
Report language, layout, binder Main report: Danish Management report: English Process report: Danish Each group need to hand in two paper copies and one CD‐ROM. White binder incl. title and information about the students on the front page of the project report. The student is responsible for handing in a copy to the mentor company;the student can pick up a copy from the study administration after the examination. Definition of standard page: - Margins: Top and bottom: 2.5 - Left and right: 2.5 - Font size: 12 pitch - Spacing: 1½
Criteria for achieving objectives
The mark 12: For an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few minor weaknesses. The examinee shows:
An extensive overview and knowledge of the various models and theories included in the course curriculum.
A convincing general knowledge of the basic premises on which the models and theories are built.
A very extensive knowledge of the individual models and theories described in an adequate explanation for their relevance ‐ or lack thereof ‐ in relation to the concrete situation.
An outstanding skill to generally and specifically assessing the “practical” case problem as well as a very convincing ability to argue for what seems relevant
and irrelevant in this.
An outstanding skill to generally and specifically identifying, analysing and providing a suggested solution to the problem in question by applying the concepts, models, theories and methods of the course in a very conscious and well‐argumented way.
A very extensive knowledge of the consequences of choosing the applied theoretical and methodical approach to the concrete problem.
A convincing overview of own problem solving method in relation to the concrete problem as well as a profound perspectivisation and reflection of this.
The mark 02: For a performance meeting only the minimum requirements for acceptance. The examinee shows:
A not very extensive over view and an uncertain knowledge of the various models and theories included in the course.
A not very convincing knowledge of the basic premises on which the models and theories are built.
A rather limited and partial amount of knowledge of the individual models and theories as well as a rather uncertain explanation for their relevance ‐ or lack thereof ‐ in relation to the concrete situation.
A relatively limited ability to generally and specifically assessing the “practical” case problem as well as a relatively common and general skill to argue what seems relevant and irrelevant in this.
A not very well‐documented ability to generally and specifically identifying, analysing and providing a suggested solution to the problem in question ‐ and showing a lack of well‐argumented use of the concepts, models, theories and methods included in the course.
A very uncertain and unreflecting knowledge of the consequences of choosing the applied theoretical and methodical approach to the concrete problem.
A non‐convincing overview of own problem solving method in relation to the concrete problem as well as a profound lack of perspectivisation and reflection of this.
The mark 02 is given when the student shows a modicum of understanding, knowledge
and skills acceptable to pass the course. Prepared by
Approved by