BEMM114 Assignment on Capacity Planning through use of Computer Modelling and Simulation
Deadline: Monday 21st March @ 1200
Word count: 1500 words (including +10% allowance)
Submission type: BART hardcopy + Online submission through ELE.
This assignment requires you to first carry out an observational study of an operations system and then to write a report summarising your findings with the objective of improving the observed process. This activity has two parts, (a) process observation and data collection, and (b) development of a computer simulation model. The knowledge you derive from part (a) of this exercise will feed into a subsequent workshop on computer modelling and simulation (where you will learn to use the basics of Simul8 software). You will then complete part (b) of the assignment. Only one submission is required for parts (a) and (b).
Part A – Process observation and data collection
You will begin by visiting a service outlet, which can be a bank, a coffee shop, a fast food restaurant, the student information desk located in the forum, etc. For the observational part of this study you will investigate how the establishment operates, for example, the process flow, where customers go, how staff interact with them (in an operational context), how the space is used, what facilities are provided, what different functions are carried on?.
IMPORTANT: WHEN YOU VISIT THE SERVICE OUTLET YOU MUST NOT INTERVIEW ANY STAFF OR ASK THE ORGANISATION TO PROVIDE DATA OR DISRUPT THE SERVICE DELIVERY PROCESS.
For the data collection element of this study you will gather data pertaining to customer arrivals, the number of staff members serving the customers, the different groups of staff members (e.g., in a restaurant you may have employees who take customer orders, those responsible for replenishing items in a buffet, cashiers), service time and any data you feel is relevant in conceptualising the customer service experience in the context of reducing customer service time. In other words, if you were the manager what data would you need in order to take decisions concerning reducing the customer wait time? In most cases data collected from 20-30 minutes of observation at service peak time (e.g., lunch hour rush in student cafeteria, Saturday morning for a bank) should be sufficient.
While writing the report on the observational part of your study you will need to provide an outline of the service process observed, the workflow, the bottlenecks
BEMM 114 Managing Operations 2015-16
existing in the system, how can the operational efficiency of the organisation be improved?, etc. For the data collection part of this study you will list the variables for which you collected data, justify as to why you consider these variables important? Word Limit for Part (A): 750 words maximum (including +10% allowance); Illustrations, tables and references are excluded from word count.
Part B – Development of a Computer Simulation Model (based on Part A)
You will implement a basic Simul8 (http://www.simul8.com/) computer model of the operations process you have observed and reported in part (a). You are required to run the computer model and describe one scenario (computer experiment) towards improving the operational flow. You will then discuss the results of the simulation experiment and justify your recommendations for improving the system. You will include simulation screenshots showing your implementation and present data obtained through experimentation (you do not need to upload the simul8 *.S8 file). Word Limit for Part (B): 750 words maximum (including +10% allowance); Illustrations, simulation output tables and screenshots are excluded from word count.
For a custom paper on the above topic or any other topic, place your order now!
What Awaits you:
• On-time delivery guarantee
• Masters and PhD-level writers
• Automatic plagiarism check
• 100% Privacy and Confidentiality
• High Quality custom-written papers
