BUSML 7388 FIELD PROBLEMS in LOGISTICS (Section 4463)

BUSML 7388 FIELD PROBLEMS IN LOGISTICS (Section 4463) Autumn 2017

Instructor: Steve DeNunzio Office: Fisher Hall Room 356A Email: [email protected] Office Phone (614) 769-3155 Class Room: Gerlach 315 Meeting Days: Fridays Meeting Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM; See Office Hours: Thursdays, 12:00 to 4:00 Schedule for Details PM; or by appointment.

Course Description & Objectives Field Problems in Logistics is an advanced project-based course for second-year MBA and MBLE students. Students work as a consulting team to solve business problems for clients. At the end of the course, each the team delivers a final report and a presentation to the client.

The general objective is to provide students with a directed opportunity to test their problem-solving skills on an actual business problem. Specifically, the course is designed to provide the following knowledge and experience:  Design and execute a consulting project applying logistics tools.

 Develop business presentation skills.

 Improve the ability to work in teams.

 Gain practical business experience before entering the job market.

Required Textbook There is no textbook for this course. I may occasionally post readings of interest to Carmen.

Revised: May 19, 2018 Page 1 Grading Criteria (Total Course Points)

Assignment Points Point Percentage Midterm Progress Report 300 30% Attendance 100 10% Final Project Report 300 30% Final Project Presentation 300 30% Total Points 1000 100%

Grading Range: Course Points & Letter Grade Equivalent

Point Total Range Letter Grade 930-1000 A 900-929 A- 870-899 B+ 830-869 B 800-829 B- 770-799 C+ 730-769 C 700-729 C- 670-699 D+ 600-669 D 000-599 E Source: http://odee.osu.edu/resourcecenter/carmen/gradebook-using-grade-schemes

This course is graded using the OSU Standard Grading Scheme. The grading scale is guaranteed. You will receive no less than the letter grade listed within the appropriate class point total ranges.

Except for the attendance grade, a group grade is assigned to each consulting team. However, the grade of an individual team member may vary by from the team project grade depending on project logs, peer evaluations and/or the instructor’s observation of individual performance within the team.

2 Course Structure The course is offered on a mentored basis. The format of the class is as follows:  Prior to the beginning of the course, the professor meets with business firms and public sector agencies to explain the course’s objectives, requirements and limitations. Those who agree to participate are asked to prepare a Request For Proposal (RFP).

 Consulting teams are organized in teams of five-to-six members, depending on the number of students enrolled. Students form their own teams, and should pick a single point-of-contact (SPOC)/team lead. Specific research projects are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis to complete teams. The team lead should contact professor by email any time after 12:00 PM on Friday, August 25th. The email must contain the name of every member of the team, and all available projects in decreasing order of preference (so, your first choice, followed by your second choice, etc.). Early emails will not be accepted.

 Once your team knows the project they’ve been awarded, the team should plan to reach out to client’s single point of contact on Monday, August 28th. The Team SPOC should schedule a call with the client SPOC, to make introductions, to thank them for the project, and to begin the process of verifying the project scope, based on the client’s RFP. This is your opportunity to start gathering information for the Project Charter.

 Project teams (all members) will meet weekly with the professor every Friday for about 30 minutes, and in a standard time slot. We will discuss progress against schedule, plan, problems that are in your way and how to remove them, etc. See the end of this syllabus for the schedule.

 You will be provided with two templates to use; a Project Charter template, and a Project Gantt Chart (Schedule). These will be available on Carmen. Other project tracking documents may be used as your teams sees fit, and you may wish to review them periodically with the professor. Both the Charter and the Gantt Chart must be up-to-date and available at each Friday status meeting. Because status meetings are on Fridays, a best practice may be to have tasks end on Fridays.

 View the Project Charter as a contract. Be prepared to deliver everything you & the client identify as in-scope. Watch out for “scope creep”. Elements of the project charter are as follows:

 What are the project goals, as outlined in the RFP, and discussed with the client?

 What is the scope of the project? What is out-of-scope?

 How does the consulting team propose to conduct the study?

Revised: May 19, 2018 Page 3  Most importantly, what are the deliverables?

 What is the data collection plan? (Data source, format, timetable for collection and cleanup)

 What is the work plan? (Weekly Gantt Chart)

 What are the estimated expenses for the project?

 Your Project Charter must be signed by your client, as agreement on the scope of the project. Once the signed-off by the client, your freedom to redefine the research project is limited – except by agreement with the client via a project change request.

 The consulting team is under the same restriction as any private sector consultant in honoring the confidentiality of information collected from the client, or for the client. All information collected from the client or for the client remains the property of the client. Any non-disclosure agreement (NDA) will be between you as an individual and the client, and not with Ohio State.

 One student on each team is appointed as a single point of contact (SPOC) and client contact. Client contacts should be made through this designated team representative.

 A client contact will also be appointed by the client firm. Contact with the client should be made through this designated client representative.

 While executing your project, your team may find that travel is needed; or you may need software or other tools. These will not be provided by OSU. Start by discussing the need with your client, and negotiating. Many clients will sponsor travel, or bring their team to you. Many software companies also offer trial or free versions of their software for education. If you get stuck, discuss with your professor.

Course Deliverables

The following deliverables are required for the course:

 A Project Charter, using the provided template; signed by the client. Appendix A in your written report.

 A Project Gantt Chart, using the provided template. Appendix B in your written report.

 A written report, to be provided to both the client and the professor. Report should be page numbered. There is no minimum/maximum length, but should use standard margins, and 10-12 point font. Should be emailed to professor by team lead. The written report should include the following sections: 4 o A Cover Sheet, With Project Name, Team Members and Date

o Executive Summary

o Problem/Opportunity Definition

o Project Scope (In-Scope)

o Assumptions and Out-of-Scope Items

o An Overview of the Methodology & Data Used

o Primary Findings and Recommendations to the Client

o Alternatives & Options Considered

o Further/Future/Next Steps

o A References/Citation Page, If Any Were Warranted

o Appendix A: Project Charter

o Appendix B: Final Gantt Chart Upon Project Closure

o Further Appendices as Needed

 A project presentation. You may use PowerPoint, Prezi or another tool with which your team is comfortable. You may wish to confirm a preference with your client. Should be emailed to your professor by team lead. You will present an interim status presentation on September 29th, to the professor and the class; a final presentation to the professor and the class on December 1st; and a final presentation to your client sometime between December 4th & December 15th (as negotiated with your client; your classmates and professor will not attend). The presentation should for the most part include the sections & material included in your written report. Remember, though, that sometimes pictures tell more of a story than a slide full of words. During the presentations, each team member should have a role, and take a turn presenting. Business formal (Men: coat & tie; Women: dress, skirt or pant suit) is the appropriate attire for your presentations.

Academic Integrity It is important to your success in the class and university that all individual class assignments, exams, or written papers are to be your own work. Academic integrity is essential to maintaining an environment that fosters excellence in teaching, research, and other educational and scholarly activities. Thus, the Ohio State University and the Committee on Academic Misconduct (COAM) expects that all students have read and understand the University’s Code of Student Conduct, and that all students will complete all academic and scholarly assignments with fairness and honesty. Students must recognize that failure to follow the rules and guidelines established in the University’s Code of Student Conduct and this syllabus may constitute “Academic Misconduct.”

Revised: May 19, 2018 Page 5 The Ohio State University’s Code of Student Conduct (Section 3335-23-04) defines academic misconduct as: “Any activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity of the University, or subvert the educational process.” Examples of academic misconduct include (but are not limited to) plagiarism, collusion (unauthorized collaboration), copying the work of another, and possession of unauthorized materials during an examination. Ignorance of the University’s Code of Student Conduct is never considered an “excuse” for academic misconduct, so I recommend that you review the Code of Student Conduct and, specifically, the sections dealing with academic misconduct.

If I suspect that a student has committed academic misconduct in this course, I am obligated by University Rules to report my suspicions to the Committee on Academic Misconduct. If COAM determines that you have violated the University’s Code of Student Conduct (i.e., committed academic misconduct), the sanctions for the misconduct could include a failing grade in this course, and suspension or dismissal from the University. If you have any questions about the above policy or what constitutes academic misconduct in this course, please contact me.

For more information, visit the Committee on Academic Misconduct web page at http://oaa.osu.edu/coam.html

American with Disabilities Act If you have a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires special classroom/course accommodation or auxiliary aids, please inform me of your needs during the first week of class so that I can take appropriate action. Students requiring special accommodations will need to provide the instructor the proper university documentation regarding her/his disability. For more information on Ohio State University’s policies and procedures concerning student disabilities, please visit the Office of Student Life’s Disability Services website at http://ods.osu.edu.

Mental Health As a student, you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student’s ability to participate in daily activities. The Ohio State University offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the

6 broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus via the Office of Student Life Counseling and Consultation Services (CCS) by visiting ccs.osu.edu or calling 614-292-5766. CCS is located on the 4th Floor of the Younkin Success Center and 4th Floor of the PAES Building. 24 hour emergency help is also available through the National 24/7 Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Syllabus/Course Schedule  The schedule, policies, and assignments contained in this course syllabus or on the course website are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, class progress, or by mutual agreement between the instructor and the students.

 The teams should contact the client on Monday, August 28th, and have the project charter signed- off by Friday, September 22nd.

 On Friday, September 29th, we will meet as a class in Gerlach 315 for progress reports on each project. Each project team is allotted 30 minutes, including 10 minutes for questions. Everyone is required to attend all presentations.

 The final plenary meeting date is Friday, December 1st. The purpose of this meeting is to share our learning with all members of the class, and to prepare for the client presentation. Each team is allotted 30 minutes for presentation, including 10 minutes for questions. The written project is due on this date. An electronic copy of the paper suffices. A paper copy is only needed if requested by the client. Everyone is required to attend all presentations.

Revised: May 19, 2018 Page 7 Course Schedule (Subject to Change)

Week Date Agenda Required Reading Comments/Supplemental Reading 1 8/25/17  Plenary Meeting  N/A In our assigned classroom. Your client contact will expect to hear from you on Monday, August 28th.

 Introductions

 Consulting Process

2 9/1/17  Team Meetings  N/A A preliminary Gantt chart should be complete by this date.

3 9/8/17  Team Meetings  N/A

5 9/22/17  Team Meetings  N/A Your project charter must be complete, reviewed by your client, and signed-off by this date.

6 9/29/17  Plenary Meeting  N/A In our assigned classroom.

 Midterm Status Presentations

8 10/13/17  OSU Autumn Break  N/A

 No Team Meetings

12 11/10/17  Veteran’s Day  N/A

14 11/24/17  Thanksgiving  N/A

15 12/1/17  Plenary Meeting  N/A In our assigned classroom.

 Final Project Presentations

16 & 12/4/17 to  Presentations to Your  N/A As negotiated and arranged with your clients. 17 12/15/17 Clients