1. What part of Operations Planning do Ian and Albert appear to have done well? What
part of Operations Planning do they appear to have done poorly?
Regarding operations planning, the two entrepreneurs managed to demonstrate
effectiveness in locating the market, with sufficient facility layout and capacity planning. While
selecting a location for a product, marketers must always be knowledgeable about a target
market’s purchasing power to ensure that a business has high potentials of making profits. Albert
and Ian decided to establish their franchise outside Mexico, which provides them with low-cost
labor and taxation. Similarly, they demonstrated effectiveness in capacity planning with proven
business growth seen in forecasted sales figures. Equally, the two entrepreneurs managed to
show layout planning, which enables them to infiltrate the new markets with tremendous ease.
However, the rate at which the customers were returning the filters was alarming, thereby
instigating a question as to where the two entrepreneurs went wrong. The case outlines that the
filters initially tested effective before market release. It is most likely that the error occurred
during the processing stage owing to the relaxed atmosphere that the business eventually
adopted. As such the two entrepreneurs missed out on technical, managerial skills and
conceptual skills, which led to a regressing growth in their business graph.
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2. If you were Ian or Albert, which controlling method would you use to try and detect the
problem? Why is this the best recommendation under the circumstances?
When presented with a situation such as this, I would make good use of direct
observation. While I am aware that this approach could be time-consuming as a control method,
it offers the most accurate way to detect the problem and act on it in time. Upon testing the faulty
filters, the case fails to mention the extent of the damage the problem caused. Because the
products proved useful during the design and testing processes, it is most likely that the question
arose during the manufacture processes. Having been the designers of the original products, the
two entrepreneurs are best knowledgeable on the design processes of the filters. Due to this fact,
direct observation would suffice as a strong control measure to prevent such future errors. The
ability by the supervisor to detect the mistakes would allow him or her to offer the necessary
direction as to what the manufacturers must take into consideration to avoid the recurrence of
such errors. Incurring flaws in the manufacturing process could mean that supervision is not
strict, leading to poor craft, hence such faults.
3. What is the important criterion that was being measured? What was the standard of
quality?
Marketers use criterion as a measure of a product’s performance. In this scenario, for
instance, the critical approach under survey is the 80% fall in the emissions by the products. The
creterion also measures the capacity of the filters to enhance machine performance. The
management outlined these two criteria to help in establishing an environmental standard. The
standard of quality, as established in the scenario, denotes the anticipated level of a product’s
performance. As pertains the filters, a measure of excellence indicates whether the products
could reduce emissions as expected. Since the products were new and no prior information was
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available to explore their efficacy, it is possible that their development was through trial and
error model. The two entrepreneurs, however, obtained this data by testing the products before
taking them to the market.
4. What are some of the control problems that may have caused this to happen?
The two entrepreneurs failed to demonstrate adequate leadership thereby leading to
control concerns, which led to this error. The firm was unable to establish a quality control
framework to ensure the products meet the market expectations. This case identifies two types of
quality, which the firm bypassed, hence leading to this problem.
The managers failed to conduct acceptance sampling: The managers were unable to
assess and verify the suitability of raw materials used in manufacturing the filters. As such, the
customers rejected or returned several filters because of poor product performance.
The managers failed to carry out process control: The executives did not conduct sample checks
on filters to ensure that they met the standard of performing and functioning efficiently.
When checking quality, the supervisors may accept or reject a product based on the
defects that might occur in the stages of manufacturing. These processes ensure that a firm only
allows its products to go into the market upon meeting the established quality standards
established by the firm.
5. What controlling tools should they use to prevent reoccurrence of the problem?
Some of the current issues, which impact controlling in the workplace are the effect of
technology and the issue of workplace privacy (Module 6, p. 11). Some cases have been able to
force corporations to fire employees based on their inability to comply with the requirements at
work. Businesses, therefore, must outline effective policies, which define the roles that various
individuals play to make them more productive. Among the controlling tools, which they use to
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prevent the reoccurrence of the problem is risk reassessment, which involves risk audit, variance
and trend analysis, reserve analysis, and technical performance measurement. Teams can set
standards through relying on the previous experiences to help in projecting the future outcomes
of a business activity. Through comparing the current situation with other past occurences, the
team would be able to chart a new course of action to overcome the underlying challenges.
SECTION B: Government Committee Case
1. Name the member or members who would rank themselves as No. 1 at the outset of the
first meeting. Name the member or members who may rank themselves as No. 5 in
status. Support your choice
By virtue or arriving early and embarking on the meeting agenda before the arrival of
other members, Alan, David, and Peter seem to be far much ahead of the other two colleagues,
who arrive fifteen minutes past the scheduled time. Politics is a game of numbers and naturally
winning the favor of opponents and allies alike is the essence of staying ahead of the game. For
this reason, the module outlines that some managers are good at delegating duties while others
are not. Accordingly, some managers may dlegare too much while other too little or may do so
inappropriately. (Module 3, p. 32). It is likely that Alan and David connived to win the favor of
Peter who was to chair the meeting, thereby leaving Shawna and Nadia to cling on nothing but to
support the popular opinion floated by the other three. Regarding rating, Alan, David, and Peter
would feature in the number one category, and it is likely that they would carry the day should
the committee decide on a vote. Shawna and Nadia are clearly on the receiving end, and they
may have to either join the three gentlemen or decide to lose and fade out. It is important to note
that while ineffective delegation may make executives less effective in a way, delegation is an
approach to building stronger relationships, mutual trust, and respect Module 3, p. 32.
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2. Which of the five members seem to have joined the group for reasons that may be
counterproductive to the committee’s success?
Performance monitoring is important in any business activity becaudse it helps in
ensuring that teams make plans, which are beneficial to all mambers and meets the objectives of
a group. The members of this committee all have a purpose of joining the group. However, their
contributions to the committee are not the same. Unlike the other members who decided to be
part of the team, the reason for Shawna’s entry into the committee seems counteproductive.
Shawna, in particular, seems to be having trust issues with other members of the committee and
sought to join the team to countercheck Peter Askew. While today’s executives delegate a great
deal of work to their followers, the executive always remain accounbtable in case the team fails
too meet the set objectives.
3. What stage of development is the group undergoing at this point? At the point is the
group a team?
Groups apply common arrangements in their approach to carry out business undertakings.
One of the concepts that describe group development is Bruce Tuckman’s five stages of the
development model. According to Donald, the model identifies five major stages, namely,
forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. At this point, this group is in its
primary stages, which the model defines as the "forming" stage (142). Forming is the first phase
of group development, and it represents a time when the group members are beginning to come
together. Often, there are anxieties and uncertainties, which characterize the stage as individuals
define their relationships. Another characteristic of this phase is that participants are cautious of
their behavior, which springs from the desire to find acceptance by all the group members.
Individuals tend to keep away from the conflicts, controversies, and personal opinions as
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members seek to gain understanding from each other (Modules 6). Among the usual features of
the forming phase of group development are the need to increase understanding of the objectives
of the group, determining the leadership and organization of the group, and discovering one
another. At this point, this group is already a team since they seek to work towards a common
objective.
4. Give two examples that demonstrate how the perceived high and low group status has
influenced member behavior
Group behavior denotes the way in which individuals behave or conduct themselves in
small or large group configurations. It is essential to note that individuals join, stay, or leave
groups for various reasons. More importantly, individuals join groups because such groups offer
them a given amount of satisfaction, companion, security, survival, power, and status.
Since individuals base their perception of reality on what they perceive and not
necessarily on fact itself, it is conceivable that two individuals can see the same item but
interpret it differently. Among the aspects, which impact perception and, in turn, affect decision-
making process are stereotyping and rationality;
(a): Stereotyping: Stereotyping consists of judging individuals based on one’s opinion of the
group such individuals belong. We tend to rely on generalizations since they assist us in making
decisions quickly. In a way, these generalizations offer a shortcut to simplifying complex
problems. Such proclivities often affect the processes of decision-making.
(b): Rationality: We content in finding a satisfying solution to concern rather than an ideal one.
By reaching out to a satisfactory answer, we miss the point and fail to get a perfect solution to an
emergent problem. Such decision-making trends are not competent enough and tend to
encourage more tenacious challenges.
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5. While acknowledging the difficulty of the task, since the committee members are drawn
from competing parties, list the measures that you could take to improve the chance
that you build and manage an effective team
Groups achieve highly when a system nurtures cohesion and a sense of team spirit. In the
absence of the fundamental aspects, which constitute a team, groups are bound to fail and miss
their set objectives miserably. As such, it is imperative to establish the rules of engagement,
which steers a team to success.
Establish leadership.
It is necessary to establish an effective leadership, which guides a team through its
undertakings to realize the set goals. A robust leadership often fosters trust, respect, and
transparency, thereby encouraging individual members to partake in the decision making process
without fear or favor.
Establishing Rapport
Teams thrive best when the leadership or atmosphere allows them to reach out to one
another and work through the available interactive channels. Through enhanced interaction,
teams learn to work together to increase productivity and magnify satisfaction.
Fostering Teamwork
Teamwork marshals members of a group to commit to work ethics while seeking to
achieve a shared objective. Encouraging individuals to partake in decision making ensures that
members give their insightful input on various outstanding issues, which affect them as a team,
thereby negating conflicts.
Set the Rules of Engagement
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The rules of engagement outline the rubrics under which individuals interact and
interface among themselves and the leadership. These rules are instrumental in enhancing respect
among teams to foster self-esteem and institutional growth.
SECTION C: Workplace Analysis
1. Describe a control problem faced by your organization and make recommendations for
solutions. What control tools would you recommend to support your solutions?
Failure Testing is the primary quality concern that faces most organizations today.
Regardless of the business in question, ethics of consumer production call for failure testing to
establish the underlying weaknesses or defects before releasing the products to the market for use
by various consumers. An inability to test the finished products before letting them to go into the
market leads to a major quality control concern, which may limit the ability of an organization to
appeal to the market. It is, therefore, important to try every thinkable test to establish the
available weakness to limit their overall impact (Modules 7). By applying the appropriate model,
the manufactured goods would undergo repetitive product tests to ensure their suitability before
proceeding to the next phase in the manufacturing chain. As a quality control mechanism, Six
Sigma model processes seek to reestablish a product’s design and enhance raw material quality
while diminishing manufacturing defects. The controlling and monitoring processes allows
business executives to oversee all the metrics and tasks necessary in ensuring that the sanctioned
projects fall within the scope, time, and budget to enhance the chances of its success.
2. Evaluate your group from assignment 2 based on group characteristics and the five-
stage model of group development
Group characteristics indicate the behaviors that characterize a team. My experience with
our group made me to understand the dynamics, which make up a group such as how they form,
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their structure, processes, and patterns, as well as, their functions. It is necessary to highlight the
fact that group characteristics are relevant in a formal, as well as, in informal settings since they
are the motivation behind a team’s success. In an organization situation such as ours, groups
come together to form teams to executes various objectives (Modules 6). Mainly, the underlying
processes resonated with the interpersonal structure forwarded by Tuckman’s perspectives as
outlined in the five-stage model of group development. According to Tuckman, teams evolve
into groups via five established phases; forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning
(Donald 142). Whereas the first stage denotes an orientation phase where people acclimatize
themselves with one another and the situation, the second phase heights a testing segment where
individuals deliberate on the emerging issues to construct a more socially cohesive group.
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Works Cited
Borris, Steve. Total Productive Maintenance: Proven Strategies and Techniques to Keep.
McGraw Hill Professional, 2006.
Donald, Egolf. Forming Storming Norming Performing: Successful Communication in Groups
and Teams (Third Edition). iUniverse, 2013.
Stapenhurst, Tim. Mastering Statistical Process Control.