Reference no: EM134042143 , Length: 10 slides

Systems Thinking

Assessment Task - Operations Systems Optimisation Presentation

Learning Outcome 1: Critically evaluate key paradigms of Systems Thinking and their application to contemporary business issues.

Learning Outcome 2: Analyse and apply systems modelling tools to integrate, optimise and enhance business processes.

Learning Outcome 3: Recommend and justify solutions to complex business problems that promote integration and that optimise enterprise-wide operations.

Assessment Task

In this task, you will critically apply the knowledge attained from these modules: Operations Management, Material Management, Inventory Management and Quality Management, Forecasting and Capacity Planning

In this assessment, you take on the role of an external consultant presenting to the Operations Manager of one of two case scenarios provided by your Subject Coordinator. You will analyse the chosen scenario and develop three (3) most important data-driven recommendations (based on impact and ease of implementation) to detail how the organisation can optimise its products and/or services to enhance customer value and drive repeat purchases within today's technology-disrupted business environment. Your recorded presentation will close with an unscripted response to an Executive Challenge Question, so you can demonstrate you genuinely understand and can defend your own analysis in real time.

Context

In today's competitive and technology-disrupted landscape, businesses face rapid and ongoing shifts in how they operate, interact, and compete. Emerging technologies (e.g., Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT), etc.) are transforming industries and creating new opportunities for innovative products and services. However, these changes simultaneously challenge businesses to adapt to a shifting landscape. To remain competitive, organisations must evolve into learning organisations, focusing on the design and delivery of innovative, high value products and services for their customers.

Instructions

Read and understand the topics covered in the modules:
Introduction to Operations Management
Material Management, Inventory Management and Quality Management
Forecasting and Capacity Planning

In Week 8, your Subject Coordinator will provide two (2) case scenarios. Select one (1) to focus on and conduct thorough research on the organisation and situation it describes, prioritising recent, credible news reporting and industry insights (as well as Torrens University Library, IBISWorld, and Google Search) so your presentation reflects the most current facts available. Remember to save your information sources/references accordingly.

As a consultant, deliver a 7-8-minutes recorded presentation (Introduction to Conclusion), using 10 slides, outlining how the operations management team can optimise the company’s products and/or services. Your strategy should focus on increasing customer value and purchase intent within today's technology-disrupted business environment. In line with this, recommend and justify three (3) most important data-driven solutions based on impact and ease of implementation. After your References slide, without pausing your recording, respond unscripted to an Executive Challenge Question in 60-90 seconds, with no slide of your own (see Recorded Presentation Structure).

Recorded Presentation Structure

Begin your recorded presentation with a brief introduction, stating your full name while showing yourself on camera. Please note that your camera must remain on for the entire duration of the recording. Structure your presentation according to the following section, ensuring each is numbered accordingly:

Introduction (1 slide): Introduce your presentation by clearly stating what the purpose of your presentation is and what you are focusing on. Then, introduce the case scenario you selected (organisation background, key facts, performance highlights, etc.) and the industry/sector it is operating in. At the end of this section, provide an outline of your presentation, indicating what the audience will see and hear in the remaining sections.

Discussion (4 slides): Using analytical and critical thinking, discuss ‘how' the operations manager can optimise the company's products and/or services to ensure customers are more likely to value and purchase them. The topics you are expected to cover in this section include, but are not limited to, the following considerations.

Customer feedback is essential when deciding on the design and manufacture of the products/services.
Organisational objectives are well-supported with optimised processes.

‘Supply' requires ‘demand' to be met through predicting future requirements.
A well-established supply chain can optimise whole-of-enterprise operations.

You are required to provide a well-supported discussion featuring interrelated ideas and a logical flow of information. To ensure a professional structure, please use separate, numbered subheadings (e.g., 2.1, 2.2) to organise your discussion. Ground each point in specific, verifiable facts from your chosen case scenario rather than generic textbook description.

Recommendations (3 slides): Recommend and justify the three (3) most important data driven solutions. For each recommendation, briefly state the specific evidence from your case scenario that supports it, and why you ranked it above the alternatives you considered.

Conclusion (1 slide): Briefly discuss a synthesis of the main points in your presentation. The conclusion section must remind the reader what the report is about.

References (1 slide): Review and use a minimum of eight (8) academic references (e.g. journal articles, book chapters, textbooks, conference papers, etc.) and at least four (4) non-academic references (e.g. company websites, newspaper articles, government websites, consultant reports, etc.) in your presentation. Please make sure your references are high-quality, credible and relevant. Avoid using Wikipedia and similar sources. The 7-8 minute presentation length covers the Introduction, Discussion, Recommendations, and Conclusion sections only; the References slide is excluded from this time limit.

Executive Challenge Q&A (after the References slide; no slide of your own; unscripted; 60-90 seconds): Once you have finished presenting your References slide, and without pausing or cutting your recording, your Subject Coordinator will have released a bank of possible Executive Challenge Questions together with the two case scenarios in Week 8. Choose one question from this bank, state its number clearly on camera, and respond to it live and unscripted, in 60-90 seconds, without any slide of your own and without reading from notes or a script. This final segment is separate from, and excluded from, the 7-8 minute presentation time limit (in the same way the References slide is excluded). Keep your camera on your face throughout and do not cut or re-record this segment.

Tips and Advice:

Please include a title slide at the beginning of your presentation containing the following details: Subject Code and Title, Assessment Number and Task, Student Name and Surname, Student Number, Trimester, and Year. Ensure all sections and slides are accurately labelled and numbered for clarity. Note: This slide is not counted.

Follow the current TUA APA Referencing Style guide for referencing purposes of the used information from different sources/references.

Label any inserted diagram or images as ‘Figure' (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2) and provide the appropriate citation/reference. Label and caption any tables as ‘Table' (e.g., Table 1, Table 2) and provide the appropriate citation/reference.

Note that slides containing only a table or figure are considered "additional" slides and do not count toward the primary content limit.

The References list slide is excluded from the 7-8 minute presentation time limit.

Consult and make significant reference to the subject content, required readings, and relevant peer-reviewed literature.