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2013/2014  KAN-CCMVU3050U  Applying Excel Models in Operations Management

English Title
Applying Excel Models in Operations Management

Course information
Language English
Exam ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Elective
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Quarter
Course period Autumn, Spring
Changes in course schedule may occur
Wednesday 09.50-12.25, week 6-13
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study board
Study Board for MSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Chiara Gobbi - Department of Operations Management (OM)
Administrative Contact Malindi Wilks - maw.om@cbs.dk
Main academic disciplines
  • Information Systems
  • Management
  • Supply Chain Management and Logistics
  • Organization
  • Statistics and mathematics
Last updated on 20-02-2014
Learning objectives
The course introduces students to a variety of techniques used in the modelling environment to support the decision analysis process. Evaluating alternative models and choosing the best course of action is the essence of the course. For the analysis and evaluation of decisions alternatives the models are implemented and solved in Excel spreadsheets.
At the exam, the student should be able to identify and implement the right model for solving problems similar to the ones dealt with during the course. Specifically the student has to:
  • Display a high level of command of the methods presented in the course by choosing the appropriate model in relation to the problem under consideration
  • Solve the models and analyse the solutions
  • Evaluate possible alternative solutions for the problem under consideration and argue for the selection of the model that is better suited to solve the problem
Course prerequisites
To follow the course with proficiency it is suggested to have basic knowledge of mathematical programming and statistics.
Examination
Applying Excel Models in Operations Management:
Examination form Written sit-in exam
Individual or group exam Individual
Exercises solved along the course constitute the primary base for exam preparation.
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration 4 hours
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Autumn Term and Spring Term
Aids allowed to bring to the exam Closed Book: no aids
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
If the number of registered candidates for the make-up examination/re-take examination warrants that it may most appropriately be held as an oral examination, the programme office will inform the students that the make-up examination/re-take examination will be held as an oral examination instead.
Description of the exam procedure
The exam consists of a number of Exercises to be solved in Excel. The necessary formulae are given.

PC exam on CBS computers without print.
It is not allowed to bring your own PC and printer.
Hand in on CD-ROM provided by CBS.
No access to the internet and LEARN.
Course content and structure

The course takes a structured view of management decision-making. Different models for various aspects of operations management are considered. The aim is to provide to students the essential competences for the implementation of solutions to the main relevant operations mangement problems. Course participants will gain a deep understanding of the main business models as well as improve their Excel skills. Solutions models for the following areas of operations management are considered:  

  • Network modelling
  • Marketing (demand forecasting and supply planning)
  • Aggregate planning
  • Inventory management and control
  • Optimal level of product availability
  • Product pricing and revenue management
  • Transportation planning and design
  • Sourcing decisions

Models are subsequently analyzed in order to evaluate the impact of the variation of the model's dimensions and compare different solutions for equivalent problems.
Teaching methods
The course follows a model building approach constituted of three steps: problem formulation, identification of quantitative relations, implementation and execution of the model in Excel.
Teaching is practically oriented. Lectures comprise a short review of the operations management area under consideration and the presentation of the spreadsheet techniques necessary for solving the models. Discussions and guidance in problem solving follows. For each topic, a number of Excel-exercises are delivered with solutions. Exercises solved along the course constitute the primary base for the exam preparation.
Further Information
Students of the Cand. Merc. Supply Chain line that attented the course Planning and Control in Operations and Supply Chain in semester fall 2011 cannot sign to the course.

The course is planned as semester course for the Autumn semester and as quarter course for the Spring semester.
Expected literature
Text Book:
Chopra, Sunil / Meindl, Peter (2009): Supply Chain Management, Strategy, Planning & Operation, 4rd edition, Pearson/Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ - ISBN-13: 978-0136080404

 

Other indicative literature:

  • Grunow, M., Gobbi, C. “Designing the reverse network for WEEE in Denmark”, CIRP Annals - Manufacturing Technology, Vol. 58, Issue 1, 2009, pp. 391-394.
  • Lines, A. (1996): “Forecasting – key to good service at low cost, Logistics Information Management”, Vol. 9, No 4, pp. 24-27
  • Lancaster, G. & Lomas, R. (1986): “A managerial guide to forecasting”, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Material Management, Vol. 16, No. 6, 3-36
  • Geoff Buxey, “A managerial perspective on aggregate planning”, International Journal of Production Economics, Volume 41, Issues 1-3, October 1995, pp. 127-133.
  • Flores, B. & Whybark, D. (1986), “Multiple Criteria ABC Analysis”, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 6, No 3, pp. 38-46
  • Vanessa O'Connell and Rachel Dodes (2009), “Saks Upends Luxury Market With Strategy to Slash Prices”, The Wall Street Journal, 9 February 2009

Additional material will be provided along the course.
Last updated on 20-02-2014