I. Theories and Techniques
A. Explain the five steps of the theory of constraints (TOC) process. To what processes might the company in the case study apply TOC? Why would applying TOC to these processes be advantageous?
B. Describe how total quality management (TQM) principles and tools can be used to improve quality in the latest line of products in the context of the case study.
II. Data Analysis
A. Draw a cause-and-effect diagram that assesses why some of the company’s supply chain partners might have struggled to implement some of the company’s newly developed materials. Summarize your findings from the diagram.
B. Draw a hypothetical process (time-function) map for producing a recently released (within the past two years) product manufactured by the company. As an operations manager, how will you use the value map? Be sure to include your process map within your case study analysis.
C. Considering the data and options below, determine where the company should locate its new manufacturing plant. Explain why this would be the favorable location.