The Shadowing Exercise Requires You To Shadow Follow The Ind
The Shadowing Exercise Requires You To Shadowfollow The Individual Fo
The shadowing exercise requires you to shadow/follow the individual for approximately one-half day, and record all the activities that the person was involved in. You should be briefed in advance of the day's plans so you would be able to track the day and get the most out of the exercise. The selection of the day is also important. You must do this on a day that is scheduled to be filled with activities and responsibilities. You would have to ask the person questions about the day.
In your write-up you must emphasize the challenges facing the person that day, his/her decisions, and the rationale for them. The titles of the people he/she interacts with or meets with and the nature of the meeting and reason for it should also be covered to let the reader know what a typical day for such a person is like. Other questions could attempt to address the individual's assessment of the job, his or her likes and dislikes of it and the reasons for it, the role it plays within the big picture of the organization, etc. Report criteria As a first step in the process and regardless of the form of exercise you plan to do, you must generate a list of at least 30 questions that you plan to ask.
These questions are to be turned in by the week five of our class. You must also state which company and/or which individual you have selected for your project. Your final report must include at a minimum the following information: a. An introduction providing background information on your visit, your company and your host if relevant, b. Your report should relate your observations and findings to the material we are discussing this semester.
For example, you might want to discuss their forecasting methods and relate them to the methods we have discussed and learned. If a treatment of the facility location strategy is appropriate, you can relate their location strategy to those we have discussed and learned, c. Part of your report should also address the Ten Critical Decisions of operations management and how your company addresses these. This discussion may be in a variety of forms. You can develop your report around these Ten Critical Decisions, you could simply have a separate section discussing them, etc., d. As part of your report, you must demonstrate the application of at least one of the analytical techniques that we have or will study this semester. This could be a forecasting model, scheduling model, etc. e. You should also comment on and critique the present practices, and suggest what else could be done to improve the operation. Remember that even a farm in a rural area is an operation and can be evaluated as such. f. You should include a conclusion summarizing the key points of your paper. g. You can include your set of questions as an appendix if you would like. h. An Executive Summary is optional, feel free to include one if you would like.
Paper For Above instruction
The shadowing exercise serves as a practical method for understanding the daily operations and decision-making processes within a professional environment. Engaging in this activity involves observing an individual's routine for approximately half a day, recording their activities, and analyzing their challenges, decisions, and interactions. This immersive approach provides insights into operational dynamics and highlights how individual tasks contribute to broader organizational goals.
In preparing for this exercise, it is essential to select an appropriate day filled with varied responsibilities and activities. The selection process should involve briefing the individual beforehand to ensure alignment with the day's scheduled tasks. Crafting a comprehensive list of at least 30 questions is crucial; these questions should focus on understanding the person's routine, decision-making challenges, interactions with colleagues, perceptions of their role, and organizational structure. This preparatory step facilitates meaningful observation and richer data collection.
The project requires identifying a specific company and individual to shadow, with the final report including background information on the visit and the host organization. Observations should be closely linked to the course's operational management material. For instance, discussions can revolve around forecasting techniques, facility location decisions, and how the company addresses the Ten Critical Decisions of operations management—such as product design, process strategy, supply chain management, quality management, capacity planning, inventory management, scheduling, and maintenance.
Furthermore, the report should showcase the application of at least one analytical technique discussed during the course, such as a forecasting model or scheduling approach. Critiquing current practices and proposing improvements demonstrates applying theoretical knowledge to real-world settings. The report's structure should include an introduction, detailed analysis, critique, suggestions for enhancement, and a conclusion summarizing key insights. The optional inclusion of questions as an appendix and an executive summary can add further value.
This exercise emphasizes observational skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to relate practical findings to theoretical frameworks. It underscores the importance of understanding everyday operational decisions and how they fit within organizational strategies, ultimately improving one's managerial and operational perspectives.
References
- Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2020). Operations Management (13th Edition). Pearson.
- Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A., & Burgess, N. (2019). Operations Management (9th Edition). Pearson.
- Chase, R. B., Jacobs, F. R., & Aquilano, N. J. (2021). Operations Management for Competitive Advantage (13th Edition). McGraw-Hill Education.
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- Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2023). Principles of Operations Management. Pearson.
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- Russell, R. S., & Taylor, B. W. (2019). Operations Management: Creating Value Along the Supply Chain (10th Edition). Wiley.