Problem 1:
You have just received a phone call from a senior partner at one of the "Big Four" management consultancies. She wants to meet with you to discuss the most recent developments in Inventory Management, including JIT, MRP, ERP, and Lean operations. You suspect that her true motive is to sell a SOA (Supply Chain Opportunity Assessment) to your division and to follow that up with a new software package implementation. Nevertheless, you agree to meet with her anyway.
In preparation for that meeting, you ask your staff to participate in a brainstorming meeting. Think about the following questions:
1. How could JIT principles be incorporated in your supply chain and manufacturing operations?
2. How can you assess a MRP/ERP package's usefulness in supporting your efforts to monitor, control, and improve your inventory management efforts? What should you realistically expect of a MRP/ERP after it is first implemented?
3. What strategic or tactical opportunities can your organization pursue? If you have more than one item, be sure to prioritize your list.
Problem 2:
Library research:
Your Supply Chain Manager thinks that theories taught in The Goal by Eliayhu Goldratt may have direct applicability to your company and the decisions being made. Your Supply Chain Manager is probably your most knowledgeable subordinate and is the leading candidate to replace you someday. Because you want to "stay a step ahead" of him, you decide to study the area, so you go to the Library and Internet and begin research. Read about key elements and applications of Goldratt's Theory of Constraints. Post, with explanation, at least three elements that you found most important and applicable to the company.