Use Case Analysis of Nissan Motor Company to answer the following questions (at least 5 sentences for each).
Introduction
Please provide an introduction on what happened and what is going on (Operations Management).
Theories and Techniques
A. Explain how gross-to-net calculations are processed for material requirements planning (MRP). What specific input files would the company in the case study need to include in this process for a successful MRP? How would you use the MRP information to improve the operations as the manager of this company?
C. Explain the four primary priority rules for job sequencing. In what instances at the company might each rule be most advantageous? When would each rule be most disadvantageous? Support your claims with citations from your textbook or outside sources.
D. 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?
E. Explain the steps used to develop a forecasting system. How would these steps be specifically utilized by this company? What do you predict would be the result of implementing a forecasting system for the top-selling product line at this company?
F. List the major categories of supply chain risk and associated risk-reduction tactics. How could the company mitigate exposure to supply chain disruptions caused by natural disasters? For example, consider the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan.
G. Summarize the following theories: just in time (JIT), Toyota Production System (TPS), and Lean. How are these concepts related? Describe the advantages and disadvantages for using each of these concepts at the company presented in the case study.
H. 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.
Data Analysis
A. Draw a hypothetical process (time-function) map (value streaming) 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.
Customer
Sales
Production Input
Production
Painting/Detailing
Warehouse
Delivery
Time—
After building the map, note a sentence or two that indicates what you would find as the OM by looking at this map.
B. 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. Include the four M’s (Material, Method, Manpower & Machine) and how they are applied.
D. The company believes that it might have some inefficiency in its inventory management process. Develop an ABC classification system for the following 10 items. Based on this information, what do you recommend for improving inventory management?
Item Annual Demand Cost/Unit
I5 1750 10
D1 6000 10
A2 3000 50
E9 1000 20
J8 2500 5
C7 1500 45
B8 4000 12
G2 300 1500
H2 600 20
F3 500 500