Similarities between manufacturing and service operations

A foundation of operations in both manufacturing and service environments is vital in order to drive inefficiencies and examine ways to achieve greater supply chain integration with suppliers and customers. In this assignment, you will compare one manufacturing and one service driven company through creating visual representations of how the product or service is created and delivered, accompanied by a written summary.

Select two companies of interest, one manufacturing company (e.g., a shoe company) and one service company (e.g., a technical support company). Provide a brief summary of each company including compelling evidence illustrating the company is either a manufacturing or a service company. Avoid selecting a company that could be arguably both.

Manufacturing

Research the manufacturing process for the selected company. Create a manufacturing process map. Explain the elements of infrastructure for the manufacturing company using flow charts and be sure to provide a key. Cite three to five sources to support your process map.

Service

Research the service process for the selected company. Create a service process map. Explain the elements of infrastructure for the service company using flow charts and be sure to provide a key. Cite three to five sources to support your process map.

Summary

Provide a 750-1,000-word summary describing the differences and similarities between manufacturing and service environments. For each company, identify if customer-introduced variability is available. If not, how would you implement flexibility for customer-introduced variability? How will a deep understanding of both manufacturing and service environments help you in your future or current career? Provide an example.