Cardiff University MBA Operations Management: Baxter Report

This report delves into the Operations Management challenges faced by Baxter, particularly in serving the GCC market. It evaluates key issues related to process constraints and identifies areas for improvement. The report proposes an optimal supply chain design/model, considering the flow of goods, information, and cash, along with order management, forecasting, and collection processes. It compares the existing setup with the proposed design, using visual presentations to enhance clarity. Furthermore, the report outlines measures to align stakeholders and ensure that the supply chain supports business growth. A critical aspect addressed is the resolution of the Iraq shipment issue, encompassing risk assessment, freight solutions, cost evaluation, and transit time analysis. The report incorporates real freight market data and emphasizes integrated solutions for operational efficiency and business success.

STUDENT NAME: PROGRAMME: MBA
STUDENT NUMBER: YEAR: 2018 - 2019 GROUP:
Module Number: MBA7061 Semester:
Oct 2018
Module Title: Operations Management
Tutor Responsible For Marking This Assignment: Hassan Ait Ali
Module Leader: Hassan Ait Ali
Assignment Hand Out Date: 10.11.2018 Hand In Date: 07.01.2019
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Coursework
FEEDBACK DATE(Return of assignments to students): One month after submission
SECTION A: SELF ASSESSMENT (TO BE COMPLETED BY THE STUDENT)
In relation to each of the set assessment criteria, please identify the areas in which you feel you have
strengths and those in which you need to improve. Provide evidence to support your self-assessment
with reference to the content of your assignment.
STRENGTHS
Leadership skills
Strong communication skills
Time management strong
Presentation capability
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Need to be more disciplined
Diversity management needs improvement
Research skill needs improvement
I certify that this assignment is a result of my own work and that all sources have been
acknowledged:
Signed:______________________________________________
Date___________________________
SECTION B: TUTOR FEEDBACK
(based on assignment criteria, key skills and where appropriate, reference to
professional standards)
STRENGTHS AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT AND
TARGETS FOR FUTURE ASSIGNMENTS
MARK/GRADE AWARDED DATE: SIGNED
ASSIGNMENT MODERATED BY: DATE
MODERATOR’S COMMENTS:
CARDIFF SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT: ASSIGNMENT FEEDBACK PROFORMA
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MBA7061 Operations Management
MBA ASSIGNMENT
Assignment Brief
Course Title: MBA
Module Title: Operations Management
Module number: MBA7061
Module Leader: Hassan Ait Ali
Submission details:
 Issued to students: 10.11.2018
 Returned by Students: 07.01.2019 before 4 PM via Moodle
Learning objectives:
 Evaluate the nature, scope and extent of manufacturing and service operations strategy;
 Critically evaluate the use of quality tools and techniques for a wide range of
organisational problems;
 Solve complex operational problems related to managing capacity and constraints within
organisations;
 Demonstrate the application of strategies, tools and techniques to improve business
operations and appraise and select appropriate methods for managing supply bases for a
variety of organisations.
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Assignment brief:
One of the key aspects of any business (the business being considered in a broad sense) is
to provide services and/or products in line with customer demands. Operations
Management deals with the design and management of delivery of these products and
services including processes and supply chains. The study of Operations Management
involves every level i.e. strategic, tactical and operational.
You are an Operations Management leader. You are required to undertake an individual
research project and to prepare a Management Report (6000 words) based on the case
study of Baxter Business Operations– Middle East & Africa
Submission done via Moodle only, on the 07.01.2019 before 4 PM
Questions / Key aspects that need to be covered within the report are:
 Evaluate the key Operations Management issues faced by Baxter to serve the
GCC market
 According to you, what would be the best supply chain design/model that
encompasses all those elements above to deal with threats and improve the
service?
 What are the measures to take with all the stakeholders to ensure that the SC is
supporting the business growth not the opposite?
 For Iraq shipment, how would you resolve this issue?
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Report Structure and Layout and Marking criteria:
 Cover Page: Your Name and Student Number and the word count. 5%
 Evaluate the key Operations Management issues faced by Baxter to serve the
GCC market 15%
A good response should include: key process issues and constraints and
highlight of potential key areas subject to improvement
 According to you, what would be the best supply chain design/model that
encompasses all those elements above to deal with threats and improve the
service? 30%
The proposition should cover a clear design of the flow of goods, information
and cash along with who does what and how order management, forecasting and
collection processes should look like? Graphs, Process flows or any other type of
presentations are encouraged to be used.along with clear and detailed
comments. The answer should compare the existing set-up with the proposed
one.
 What are the measures to take with all the stakeholders to ensure that the SC is
supporting the business growth not the opposite? 20%
A good answer should cover the following areas: How the functional
alignement should look like? What to expect from each one of the functions so
operations are run smoothly and deliver high performance?
 For Iraq shipment, how would you resolve this issue? 30%
An integrated solution should cover: Risk assessment, freight solutions
implementation,freight cost evaluation, transit time, figures collected from real
freight market are encouraged.
Further tips:
• Visual presentations (process flow, graphs, ..) are highly recommended along with their
respective detailed and clear comments/ They’re going to be considered in marking
system.
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Mark/Grade Scheme:
90 - 100 A quite exceptional and outstanding answer, providing insights which would
not be available publicly, and would, with some editing, be publishable. In
addition to the features of the next section, this range is distinguished by
superior organisation economic use of language and totally comprehensive,
given the conditions of the exercise.
80 - 89 An answer which demonstrates an excellent understanding of the question
and of the complexity of the issues involved. There is a sound basis of
relevant factual knowledge and/or the theoretical issues involved. Most of
the important issues are dealt with in a detailed, specific and systematic way.
There is either some measure of original thinking in the answer or an
accurate and comprehensive account is given in a way which demonstrates
understanding, for example by structuring the material such that it could not
have been based just on reproduction of lecture notes and programme
material. Evidence of creativity, critical approach, and wide reading beyond
the core subject matter.
70 - 79 As above but a slightly less consistently excellent level. Alternatively, this
range of mark may be given for an answer which, while not having original
insights, gives comprehensive and accurate coverage of the issues at a high
level throughout the answer, without significant omissions or errors.
60 - 69 The answer shows evidence of ability to maintain a personal position in
original terms and shows a command of the accepted critical positions with
some attempts at innovation. It is lively and highly articulated, giving
evidence of knowledge, enthusiasm and control. There is demonstration of a
clear understanding of the question and a grasp of the complexity of the
issues involved, and there is a sound basis of relevant factual knowledge
and/or theoretical issues involved, with few significant errors
50 - 59 The answer shows evidence of an ability to defend on the basis of evidence
and personal position in relation to an issue or aesthetic. It shows evidence
of evaluation of information and synthesis of generalisations from it. There
is clear evidence of selection of appropriate material, logical structure and
clear argument. The answer demonstrates an understanding of the major or
basic issues in the question, and there is a basis of factual knowledge and/or
relevant theoretical issues.
40 - 49 The answer demonstrates an understanding of the major or basic issues in
the question. There is evidence of a satisfactory level of analysis and
judgement including a statement of criteria. Evidence of selection of
appropriate material, logical structure and clear argument are also present.
The overall framework is sensible and accurate.
30 - 39 Significant errors may be present. The answer is less well planned
compared to above, or poorly planned, with little clear train of thought or
development of argument. There is some evidence of ability to collate
information and construct generalisations, but with limited comment on the
weighting of evidence or opinion.
20 - 29 The answer may meander around the general area of the question, but with
very little convenience or structure. There is no evidence of criticism,
synthesis or evaluation.
10 - 19 Some notes relevant to the question, but without coherence.
1 - 9 Notes of little relevance to the question or only an introductory paragraph
and one or two scattered thoughts.
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