BEMM 114 Managing Operations 2019-20
BEMM114 Assignment on Capacity Planning through use of
Computer Modelling and Simulation
The BEMM114 simulation assignment accounts for 60% of the overall marks for this
module. It comprises of two components, each of which will have equal weighing:
Component 1: Group report and a simulation model
Online submission only (through ELE link). This will include two files: (a)
Group report (in .DOC or .PDF) and (b) Simulation model implemented using
Simul8 (extension is .S8).
Word count for Group Report: 2500 words (including +10% allowance).
Only one submission per group; to be submitted by the team leader.
Submission deadline is Friday 27th March 2020 by 12:00 noon.
Component 2: Group Presentation with question and answers (Q&A)
All group members to attend and to contribute to the group presentation.
Presentations will be held during Week 11 (Week commencing 23
rd March
2020). Schedule for group presentations will be made available at a later
date.
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION
Component 1: Group report and a simulation model
This assignment requires you to first carry out an observational study of an
operations system and then to write a report summarising your findings with the
objective of improving the observed process. In particular, the Group Report will
provide an outline of the service/manufacturing process observed, the workflow,
the bottlenecks existing in the system, strategies for improving the operational
efficiency, etc. These strategies will guide the implementation of your Simul8
computer model. All members are to be involved in every stage of the simulation
study, and are to collectively write the group report and develop the simulation
model.
Groups: You will be working in groups of 7-8 students. All members are to be
involved in every stage of the simulation study, and they are to collectively write
the Group Report and do a Group Presentation with Q/A.
BEMM 114 Managing Operations 2019-20
Word limit for the group report is maximum of 2500 words (including +10%
allowance); Illustrations, tables, screenshots and references are excluded from
word count.
Although all group members are to engage in every stage of the simulation study, it
is advisable for individual members to take lead on specific aspects of the study and
to co-ordinate write-up for their sections. For example:
Group member 1: Can take the lead on process observation + write-up
Group member 2: … Data collection + write-up
Group member 3: … Model implementation (can be two members, in case you
are six in one group; each member will report on a specific part of the model) +
write-up
Group member 4: … Developing experiment scenarios + write-up
Group member 5: … Result and Analysis + write-up
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Stages of a simulation study and examples of what can be included in specific
sections of the group report (this is not exhaustive):
(a) Observing a Process (that is to be modelled)
You will begin by visiting a service or manufacturing outlet, e.g., a bank, a coffee
shop, a fast food restaurant, a small factory, the student information desk located
in the forum, etc. You may also discuss an operational system based on your
previous experience (e.g., previous work in a call centre, family-run manufacturing
facility). You will investigate how the establishment operates, for example, the
process flow, staff interaction with customers, how space is utilised, what facilities
are provided, what different functions are carried on? You will need to include a
process flow diagram (flowchart).
IMPORTANT: WHEN YOU VISIT THE SERVICE/MANUFACTURING OUTLET YOU MUST
NOT INTERVIEW ANY STAFF OR ASK THE ORGANISATION TO PROVIDE DATA.
(b) Data collection
For the data collection element of this study you will gather data from the
service/manufacturing entity that was observed. For example, if it is a café then the
data can be customer arrivals, the number of staff members serving the customers,
the different groups of staff (e.g., in a restaurant you may have employees who
take customer orders, those responsible for replenishing items in a buffet,
cashiers), service time and any data you feel is relevant in conceptualising the
BEMM 114 Managing Operations 2019-20
customer service experience in the context of reducing customer service time,
process improvement, etc. In other words, if you were the manager what data
would you need in order to take decisions concerning reducing the customer wait
time and improving process flow? In most cases data collected from 30-45 minutes
of observation at service peak time (e.g., lunch hour rush in student cafeteria,
Saturday morning for a bank) should be sufficient. For the data collection part of
this study, you will list at least six variables for which you collected data, justify as
to why you consider these variables important, present raw data (in tables) and
derive the distribution to be used in the computer model.
IMPORTANT: WHEN YOU VISIT THE SERVICE/MANUFACTURING OUTLET YOU MUST
NOT INTERVIEW ANY STAFF OR ASK THE ORGANISATION TO PROVIDE DATA.
(c) Implementation of a computer simulation model
You will implement a Simul8 (http://www.simul8.com/) model of the operations
process you have observed in stage (a). You will need to state the probability
distributions used in the model and provide justification/show relationship with the
data captured in stage (b). You are required to run the computer model (base
model). You will include simulation screenshots showing your implementation.
(d) Developing scenarios and experimentation
You will need to discuss a minimum of three experiment scenario and provide
rationale for the same. You will then discuss the results of the simulation
experiments, compared also with the base model in stage (c). You will include
simulation screenshots showing your implementation of the experiment scenarios.
(e) Analysis and recommendation
With inputs from stages (c) and (d), justify your recommendations for improving
the system. You will to present simulation results that are obtained and provide an
analysis for every scenario.
Component 2: Group Presentation with Q&A
The group members will need to prepare a PowerPoint presentation and will
demonstrate the Simul8 model (submitted as part of component 1) to the panel of
markers. This will be followed by a Q&A session. It is expected that each
presentation will last for approx. 20 minutes (including Q&A time).
-- End of Assignment (queries to be directed to Nav) –
BEMM 114 Managing Operations 2019-20
CRITERIA FOR MARKING
Total Marks = 100% (60% of the overall marks for the module); equally split
between components 1 and 2):
Component 1: Group report and a simulation model
A1 - Outline of the process that is observed, identification of
bottlenecks/challenges, opportunities for improvement – 20%
A2 – How the analysis is presented in the Group Report (e.g., in terms of
problem conceptualisation, data collection, model implementation, scenario
development and experimentation) and progression of logic and flow among the
stages of the simulation study – 30%
A3 – Inclusion of relevant illustrations (flowchart), tables with raw data,
screenshots of the base computer model and the different scenarios, tables with
parameter selection and simulation output, etc. – 20%
A4 - Recommendations and how they relate back to the opportunities for
improvement – 10%
A5 - Novelty in conceptualisation/implementation/scenario dev./experimentation
(including use of advanced Simul8 features, self-learning) – 20%
Component 2: Group Presentation with Q&A
B1 – Context (e.g., the group demonstrates knowledge of the subject area,
demonstrates appropriate skills in analysis, evaluation and application, provide
evidence to support the arguments, the presentation is interesting) – 30%
B2 - Structure/Logic (e.g., highlight important points, uses linking, sequencing,
summarising, provide appropriate closure) – 30%
B3 – Delivery/Presentation (e.g., Voice is clear, is articulate, fluent, makes good
eye contact, audio-visual aids are readable and clear, good posture/appearance,
adequate pace, pauses, well organised and within the time limit) – 20%
B4 – Handling Questions (e.g., the group responds/engages in discussion,
manages the audience well, demonstrates knowledge, depth of answer is good)
– 20%
Nav Mustafee
4
th Feb 2020