Quality Systems in logistics

FINAL ESSAY – INSTRUCTIONS
BE A PROBLEM SOLVER IN A QUALITY CHALLENGE!
Original idea and analysis by Prof. Maria Burns
YEAR COURSE OFFERED: 2020
SEMESTER COURSE OFFERED: FALL
DEPARTMENT: CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
COURSE NUMBER: SCLT 4380
NAME OF COURSE: Quality Systems (Sugar Land)
Room SAB 1 #347)
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Maria Burns
…………………………………………………………………………….
Dear Students, here are the instructions for your Final Essay:
Deadline: May 2, 2020 at 23:59 hrs.
Please remember this date is the very final date where your work can be accepted, as Faculty has to submit your grades to the University Registraar’s office.
Rubrics per Syllabus: Final Essay (1500 words) ———————————- 20%
Font, size, space: Times New Roman, 12 pt, single space
Referencing: Please cite your work by using the APA Referencing Style.
Here is a link with examples of proper referencing: http://www.easybib.com/reference/guide/apa/book
Referencing requirements for this essay:
 Students are asked to include a “References” section at the end of their essay.
 At least 10 references should be quoted in your essay.
 The referencing section’s words do not count towards the 1,500 words
 essay you’ll produce.
 Referencing helps you produce a better quality academic paper, in compliance with the Academic honesty policy, explained in our Syllabus.
The benefits of referencing: https://libguides.mit.edu/citing
FINAL ESSAY – INSTRUCTIONS AND SCOPE
1) Choose 1 company of your choice.
2) Identify 1 Industry Challenge – a problem that you can solve.
3) Google/research online to find out how other companies are rectifying the problem.
4) Add problem-solving tools that we will learn in this class, e.g. the fishbone diagram, the paretto principle, etc.
5) Propose at least 2 solutions for this problem. E.g. investing in new technologies and training your personnel.
6) Your guide to success is to envision your career path, and select topics that can teach you something useful and exciting.
ESSAY STRUCTURE
WRITE A SINGLE ESSAY. See sample below.
Write one essay paper totaling 1,500 words, with focus on your industry.
REMINDER: At least 10 references, and these words don’t count towards your 1,500.
Class code and title: ………………………………………………………………….
Submitted to: Prof. Maria Burns
Submitted from: (your name)
Company: (Add company name here, e.g. ExxonMobil)
Industry: e.g. Oil and Gas
Date:
Essay Structure
Introduction
Max 1 page
Very briefly go through the following items:
 Introduce your industry, and briefly identify the problem or challenge.
 Why is this industry/company important, and how this essay contributes to your career path?
 Briefly analyze a) the company’s current status, i.e. in terms of growth, achievements, etc.
 What are the key factors contributing to the problem? E.g. the current market.
Body of essay
 Here is the core analysis of your essay. Analyze the above items, and provide more details.
 Discuss your career path and how it is tied to this industry/company.
 Identify the key problem, analyze it, and explain how you intend to solve it.
 Add problem-solving tools that we will learn in this class, e.g. the fishbone diagram, the paretto principle, etc.
 Propose at least 2 solutions for this problem. E.g. investing in new technologies and training your personnel.
 Enrich the content by useful facts, figures, even fun facts about that industry’s practices.
 Feel free to add relevant images and diagrams, always referenced.
Conclusion
Max 1 page
 Rephrase your introduction, now that you are more knowledgeable.
 Briefly state the key discoveries you’ve made.
PRESENTATION (Syllabus: 10% of Grade)
The Presentation component gives you the opportunity to share your findings with class.
Goal: strengthening you oral/presenation skills.
Per Syllabus, our class commences presentation in March 17, i.e. after the Spring Break.
I have designed the following presenting arrangement in order to maximize your benefits and eliminate any waste of time:
Step 1: ALL Students must upload their presentations on blackboard by March 17, before class.
If Blackboard has a problem, please email the ppt to mburns2@uh.edu
Your Powerpoint Presentation Structure
Maximum slides per person: 5
Maximum presentation time per person: 5 minutes
Slide 1: What is the company of your choice, and what is the challenge you are solving.
Slide 2: How other companies are rectifying the problem.
Slide 3: Present 1-2 problem-solving tools, e.g. fishbone diagram, paretto, etc.
Slide 4: Propose at least 2 solutions for the problem.
Slide 5: References
Students will be presenting in alphabetical order. Maximum presenting time: 5 minutes
March 17
From Ahmad to Diakite
March 24
From Failla to Khan
March 31
From Lilly to Morales
April 14
From Mzee to Rittershaus
April 21
From Rodriguez to Zau
Final Essay Grading Rubric
Criterion
(*Score 0/3 if component is lacking)
Poor
(Below Expectations)
(C)
Good
(Meets Expectations)
(B)
Excellent
(Exceeds Expectations)
(A)
Score
Topic insight Student has not demonstrated familiarity and adequate engagement with the topic. Inadequate coverage of the key elements and dimensions of the selected topic. Adequate coverage. Demonstration of understanding the topic issue. Satisfactory analysis of the key elements and dimensions of the selected topic. Excellent coverage. The student has shown an in-depth, multi-leveled understanding of the topic issue. Excellent analysis of the major elements and dimensions. 3/3
Focus and analysis: addressing several dimensions of the topic
Essay’s focus and analysis is inadequate. Broad or vague coverage, weak argument.
Material presented is irrelevant and/or untimely/obsolete.
The student has demonstrated a sufficient comprehension of the topic. Focus and analysis are precise, i.e. not too broad and not too narrow. Material is relevant and timely.
The student has demonstrated an excellent comprehension and analysis of the topic. The assignment has been well understood. Precise focus and analysis. Material is impactful in terms of quality and quantity. Everything is relevant, exciting and well covered.
3/3 Critical thinking / problem solving The student has submitted information which is inadequately analyzed. Data is simply quoted or described without sufficient analysis. Recommendations are either not provided, or are provided yet irrelevant to the essay structure and logical arguments. Inability to generate critical thoughts, The essay is adequately analyzed and the student has demonstrated the ability of critical thinking and problem solving. The student has shared recommendations or conclusions pertinent to the data. The student has shown the ability to address a challenge, opportunity or provide a useful The essay provides excellent critical thinking and problem solving samples. The student has provided excellent critical thinking and problem solving samples. The recommendations and conclusions provided are based on reasonable assumptions and are related directly to the data provided. 3/3
evaluations or conclusions of the data. Inability to address a challenge, opportunity or solve a problem. recommendation.
Innovation, contribution to academia and/or supply chain industry.
Essay lacks innovation or contribution to academia and/or supply chain industry.
There is a moderate contribution to innovation. The essay covers a literature or industrial gap to a satisfactory degree.
The student has demonstrated innovative thinking.
Excellent coverage of a literature or industrial gap. The student has moved the existing knowledge to a next level.
3/3 Organization and structure The essay is inadequately organized, with random thoughts that are inadequately addressed. The introduction, main essay and conclusion seem disjointed, i.e. lack a coherent sequence or logical connection. The essay is adequately organized, with arguments being adequately addressed. The introduction, main essay and conclusion are adequately coherent, while logical arguments serve as the glue in the essay structure. The essay is organized exceptionally well, with arguments being addressed in an excellent manner. The introduction, main essay and conclusion are very well coherent, while logical arguments serve as the glue in the essay structure. 3/3
Mechanics:
Grammar, punctuation and spelling
The essay contains several serious errors related to grammar, spelling and punctuation. These errors may distract reader from understanding content. Possible lack of proofreading.
The essay contains minor, insignificant errors. The text consistently abides by the rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling. The reader can easily understand content. Proofreading is present.
Excellent. The essay contains very few, insignificant errors. The flow of information is consistent with limited or no disruptions, and the reader can easily understand content. Thorough proofreading is apparent.
3/3 References (quality and quantity) Inadequate referencing; limited number of references (less than 10), and/or poor quality of data in terms of source reliability, pertinence to topic and contribution to knowledge. Moderate referencing; adequate number of references (about 10), and/or adequate quality of data in terms of source reliability, pertinence to topic and contribution to knowledge. Excellent referencing; High number of references (over 10), and/or excellent quality of data in terms of source reliability, pertinence to topic and contribution to knowledge. 3/3
TOTAL
/3
Submitted on time
Deadline May 2, 2020 23:59
See Late homework policy in your Syllabus.
Timely submission – before the deadline will ensure you don’t lose points.
Presentation: Grading Rubric
Criterion
(*Score 0/3 if component is lacking)
Poor
(Below Expectations)
(C)
Good
(Meets Expectations)
(B)
Excellent
(Exceeds Expectations)
(A)
Score
Punctuality: Student presented as scheduled Inadequate Average Excellent 3/3
Conciseness: 5 slides or less
Inadequate
Average
Excellent
3/3 Time Management: 5 slides or less Inadequate Average Excellent 3/3
Professionalism: Formal dress code
*Business attire
Inadequate
Average
Excellent
3/3 Professionalism: Eye contact, preparedness, use of speech and vocabulary in a professional manner. Inadequate Average Excellent 3/3
Critical thinking / problem solving
The student has submitted information which is inadequately analyzed. Inability to generate critical thoughts. Inability to address a challenge, opportunity or solve a problem.
The student has shown the ability to address a challenge, opportunity or provide a useful recommendation.
The PPT provides excellent critical thinking and problem solving samples..
3/3 Innovation, contribution to academia and/or supply chain industry. PPT lacks innovation or contribution to academia and/or supply chain industry. There is a moderate contribution to innovation. The PPT covers a literature or industrial gap to a satisfactory degree. The student has demonstrated innovative thinking. Excellent coverage of a literature or industrial gap. The student has moved the existing knowledge to 3/3
a next level.
Organization and structure
The PPT is inadequately organized, with random thoughts that are inadequately addressed.
The PPT is adequately organized, with arguments being adequately addressed.
The PPT is organized exceptionally well, with arguments being addressed in an excellent manner.
3/3 Mechanics: Grammar, punctuation and spelling The PPT contains minor, errors. Excellent. The PPT contains very few, insignificant errors. 3/3
Submitted on time
Deadline March 17, 2020 2:00 pm
See Late homework policy in your Syllabus.
Timely submission – before the deadline will ensure you don’t lose points.