Production/Operations Management and Business Policy advice for Excelsior

[gus]

Congratulations! You've definitely more than secured your 'A'.

[gus]

Now it's my turn for an 'A'. The course professor was super efficient and very responsive. All in all, it was a good experience and I wish he offered other relevant courses.

I would like to thank all of you guys who contributed here.

Now on to Business Policy.

[bmills072200]

Okay guys,

I am in a temporary state of paralysis with this Op Management class at CSU-Pueblo. I am having a hard time with motivation and setting aside time to work on this class.

So, I am committed to getting everything done in the next 2 weeks, but I need help because Dr. Billington is out of the country. I have already completed the first 6 AEs and I am done with everything on the first exam except for questions 7 and 8. I am not great with Excel and I am not sure if I am doing this correctly.

Question 7 reads:

7. Construct the appropriate control chart for the observations listed below, using 3 sigma limits.
Product number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Number of defects 7 6 3 5 6 5 4 1 3 2 3
a. (10 points) Determine the upper and lower control limits.
b. (10 points) Plot the control limits and the observations on the chart provided. Proper scaling, labeling and neatness counts.
c. (5 pts) Discuss the chart you have plotted. What conclusions and recommendations do you make from the chart and the data?

I have attached the Excel OM page that I made for this question. Can you guys tell me if I am on the correct track? From my graph I have determined:

A The UCL is 10.15871 and the LCL is 0

B: I assume that I can you the chart that is created on the excel sheet for my answer to the question.

C: Not really sure what he is looking for here, but I would probably say something like: No one product is outside of the control limits, but product numbers 1, 2, and 5 with 7, 6, and 6 defects respectively require attention in order to improve operations.

Please give me some feedback…

Thanks in advance

[gus]

You seem to have a different version of the exam from the one I got, but the type of questions seems the same.

From the numbers you've entered, your Excel sheet seems fine (the chart should be fine too). I have found POM (also included on the CD) to produce better representation. You can always run numbers down on POM to double check or use it as the main source of calculation (I actually ended up using it for all but one of the calculations). I also found it produced neater charts with better labeling, most of the time.

Assuming question C is about discussing the chart, the professor is mostly asking if the process is in control or not (natural variations or assignable causes). Remember products with defects are not the same as defective products in this context.

My biggest hurdle with the course was figuring out some of the questions. When I was in doubt, I always worked the assignments in the way I believed was required and sent them out to the professor for comments. Fortunately, they all turned out to be on the spot, but I definitely know what you mean. Just keep at it and you should be fine, the professor is expected back in one week I believe.

Hopefully when it's all over, you'll get enjoy the learning experience in this course and walk away with a good sense of satisfaction as I and many others who took this course did.

Let me know if you have more questions.

[barcotta]

I have found POM (also included on the CD) to produce better representation. You can always run numbers down on POM to double check or use it as the main source of calculation (I actually ended up using it for all but one of the calculations). I also found it produced neater charts with better labeling, most of the time.

Here's a link to a copy of POM for those who would like to use it:

POM

[dyzni]

If anyone has taken the course and have any of your notes, A/E, sample tests, etc. I will be more than happy to purchase them from you. Please email me at pearl_chiles@yahoo.com

[bmills072200]

After several months of waffling around. I spent all of last week finishing this course. I got an A. I only missed 20 total points totally 980/1000. I missed 10 points on test 3 and 10 points on test 4.

Dr. Billington is really cool. He does not seem like too big of a stickler on details as long as he feels that you understand the general concept of the subject.

I did get the book, 8th edition from a friend of mine and I would be willing to sell it to anyone that is interested...Though I think there is now a 9th edition to the book, Dr. Billington is going to continue using the 8th edition for the foreseeable future...I have the CD with all of the Excel OM and POM software needed for the course...

If anyone is interested, please PM me. I am looking to sell it for $25 which will include the shipping costs...

I definitely recommend this course to anyone that needs this class as a requirement for the business degree at Excelsior or Thomas Edison...

Good luck to everyone working on this course…

[Sharkfin]

Are there deadlines for signing up for the Ops Mgmt class or can you sign up whenever and then have 6 months from then to complete? It seems like people here are starting at different times, but there are dates for registration listed on this page: Colorado State University-Pueblo > Division of Continuing Education > Register / Apply / Forms Also, what is the easiest method of registering? I assume you don't actually have to mail that form in...Sorry if this has been asked but this is a huge thread.

[gus]

You can enroll in the independent study at any time. I think the semesters mentioned on the website serve to show what policy/course version and tuition you will be locked into when you register.

Call them up at the number on the form (1-800-388-6154 or 719-549-2316) or fill the form and fax to them, whichever is more convenient for you.

[Sharkfin]

Thanks gus, I called that number to get registered and they emailed all the course info right away. Very smooth process. Should be an interesting course...