Operations Strategy Model
The operations strategy model defines how the various components of a business are integrated into achieving set goals. An operations strategy refers to the plan on how a business operates to realize its goals. Each business organization seeks to develop and adopt an operation strategy model that can effectively respond to changing customer needs as well as to adapt to the changing global financial markets, talent pools, and resources. Operations strategy gives a framework of how business components are integrated into attaining success. The aspects of quality, speed, flexibility, cost, and dependability are given due concern in the operations strategy model. An operations model seeks to ensure a short delivery time. The operations strategy model gives the framework of providing low price, high quality, and flexible delivery of products and services. Supply chains and outsourcing are good examples of the operations strategy model. Both outsourcing and supply chains aim at ensuring flexibility, quality, low cost, timely delivery, and reliable operation in business organizations.
The benefits of using a QFD approach to product design
QFD approach is very beneficial in product design. QFD helps in translating the customer’s voice into product specifications, thus enhancing customer satisfaction and value addition. QFD ensures that the requirements of customers are prioritized in product design and support design teams in the development of new products. QFD helps in the determination of product specifications to suit customer needs. The overall costs of product design are reduced.
QFD is the potential of causing a culture clash, whereby it may face difficulties in foreign cultures. The use of bad data may lead to irreparable harm to the firm. Product specification may also be jeopardized if the wrong data is used. The use of QFD may harm individual tastes and preferences since its slow in incorporating change.
Nutmeg Case Study
The case study provides comprehensive coverage of Nutmeg Enterprises. In the case study, the operational framework of the beverage manufacturer and distributor is provided. Based on the case, the company produces different products at different locations. For instance, beer is brewed in Connecticut and Burlington, Vermont while sodas and soft drinks are made at the Fountain products division in Atlanta, Georgia. The case also shows the production of health drinks, fruit juices, and sports nutrition drinks at another division, the Nutrition products Division in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In light of these ideas, the different divisions and production locations of Nutmeg enterprises are discussed. The purpose of the case study is to demonstrate the nature of operations management, particularly material requirements planning at Nutmeg Brewing. The growth and expansion of the company since 1994 have been highlighted, the company took over the control of other small companies.
The concept of business to the business relationship is demonstrated in the case. After production, Nutmeg does not sell the products to the final consumer but rather to other businesses. Nutmeg supplies the products to supermarkets, restaurants, pubs, and hotels. Inefficiencies in operations management are also shown to be a serious problem in Nutmeg based on the poor state of technology. The case study is centrally touching on the issue of operations management in Nutmeg, where the inefficiencies of poor technology in inventory management are shown. The need for better planning in operations and inventory management has been called for in the case study as a strategy of attaining success. Installation of the MRP system and integrated inventory management systems is identified as an efficient approach in solving the problems in Nutmeg inventory and operations management.