Reference no: EM132288032 , Length: 50 pages

Project Overview

For the Capstone assessment, you will create a Product Launch Comprehensive Strategy.

The Capstone represents the final stage in your goal to obtain a Master's Degree in Operations and Project Management. This final course will allow you to demonstrate proficiency in all areas of operations and project management. You will develop an overall, comprehensive strategy to bring a new product from design to mass production within a manufacturing or service environment. Along the way you will complete 3 critical stages of the development process that will require competent skills in project & operations management. You will also complete the three (3) stages of product launch demonstrating that the product or service has gone successfully from conception to high volume manufacturing or full service integration. Additionally, you will self-reflect on the overall program and project and operations management as a career focus.

Evaluation of Capstone
This Capstone will be assessed somewhat differently than other courses you have taken online at SNHU. There are four (4) separate components that will be submitted at different times during the course; however, they all operate together to comprise the whole Capstone experience and are not assessed separately. You will be evaluated on all four (4) of them as a unit in determining whether you have demonstrated proficiency in each outcome. All four (4) components must be completed at the highest levels as the strengths of one cannot "make up for" the weaknesses in another. Your work is expected to meet the highest professional standards. Remember, you are selling yourself as a competent operations and project management professional as much as you are selling your product launch strategy.

The Capstone project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, and Six. The draft submission for Capstone Component 1 is due in Module Seven, Capstone Component 2 is due in Module Eight, Capstone Component 3 is due in Module Nine, and Capstone Component 4 is due in Module Ten as part of the overall Final Submission which includes revised Components 1 through 3 followed by the self-reflection of Component 4.

This assessment will evaluate your mastery with respect to the following outcomes:

1: Recommend strategies for optimizing production of goods and services based on a detailed analysis of existing processes, resources, and business goals

2: Identify and recommend total quality management (TQM) principles and methods appropriate to a given context QSO-700-03: Create, evaluate, and assess project plans to ensure desired project outcomes

3: Recommend inventory management strategies and techniques for improving the efficiency of a supply chain QSO-700-05: Evaluate operational and project management environments using quantitative tools and techniques

5: Manage cross-functional environments to ensure the achievement of operational and project management goals

Prompt

Two scenarios will be presented for your selection. You may also select a current or prior employer for which you have strong product and operational knowledge; however instructor approval is required for this option. One scenario is manufacturing based while the other scenario is based on a service operation. Choose the appropriate scenario best suited towards your current or future area of interest. In either scenario, develop the overall, comprehensive strategy to successfully launch a new product into mass production, or service into full integration, within the given organization. All elements of operations management and project management is captured within this product or service launch activity. You can assume the facility has the available floor space (manufacturing scenario) and infrastructure (service scenario) but you must develop the overall plan for equipment, resources, inventory, manufacturing, service implementation and logistics. This plan should also list the stakeholder and customer requirements; consider these requirements as the plan is developed.

Ultimately, you will create the overall strategic plan of approximately 45 pages by developing 3 separate components which are: (a) product/service launch strategy and planning; (b) manufacturing or service, production/resource scheduling, and inventory management planning; (c) financial assessment and resource planning; and (d) self-reflection on project & operations management. Each of these phases will require a comprehensive description of activities outlining the rationale for each constituent with the plan.

Capstone Component 1: Product Launch Strategy and Planning
This is the first of four (4) capstone requirements. In this component of the capstone, create the product/service launch strategy and the overall plan, including a Gantt chart (project task list including milestone tasks), to introduce a new product or service into an existing facility.

Complete a 12-15 page report (including charts and/or graphs) detailing the rationale for why each constituent is included as a milestone to support the product launch and identify the stakeholders. You will want to describe in your narrative why each milestone task was included in the project plan and its significance to keeping the project on track to deliver the planned benefits. Stakeholders should be identified and include common project techniques such as a stakeholder analysis, RACI chart, or RAM. A project charter or project scope statement may be of benefit to further explain the product/service plan.

Further develop the work completed in Milestone One assignment that includes the framework for developing the new product. This may include the quality management approach, quality tools and techniques to be leveraged in the product development and specifically identify the project methodology to be used and explain how this fits the scope of work to be completed and the company culture.

Capstone Component 2: Manufacturing or Service, Production/Resource Scheduling & Inventory Management
In this second phase of the capstone component, develop the manufacturing or service related requirements necessary to support introduction of the new product or service.

For the manufacturing product scenario, you will create a manufacturing and inventory plan that addresses the following: Production

Process Flow Chart
Manufacturing Systems Supply Chain Utilization Capacity Plan
Inventory Management Strategy Resource Staffing Plan

For the service scenario, you will create a service process plan that addresses the following: Service Process Flow Chart
Process Time Study Supply Chain Utilization Capacity Plan
Inventory Management Strategy Resource Staffing Plan

This component shall be accompanied by a 12-15 (including charts and/or graphs) page report detailing the rationale behind each of the major items outlined in the manufacturing/service plan. This will include the detail to support each constituent of the plan and any calculations or graphics that fully depicts the overall plan.

Capstone Component 3: Financial Assessment and Resource Planning
In the third component of the capstone, conduct a financial assessment (cost/benefit analysis) of the new product/service as well as identify all related resources needed to support the product or service launch. The estimating approach and confidence level of the estimates must be clearly stated and explained.

You will create a financial assessment (cost/benefit analysis) that addresses the following: Resources (including, but not limited to):
• Equipment/Materials
• Staffing
Cost (including, but not limited to):
• Cost to manufacture the product
• Cost to complete the service

• Cost associated with supporting operations

The third component shall be accompanied by a 12-15 page report detailing the rationale behind each of the major items outlined in financial assessment. This will include the detailed calculations and appropriate graphical tools used to fully support your financial assessment and resource plan.

Capstone Component 4: Professional Reflection
For the final component of your capstone, you will write an essay in which you discuss the process and outcomes of this project, as well as how your coursework cumulated in the capstone project. This may include discussions of unforeseen problems or obstacles, and any unexpected surprises. The essay should also discuss your identified strengths and problems that you encountered while completing the project. Finally, the essay will examine how the capstone project will be useful in the job market or furthering your education.

You are encouraged to discuss how the SNHU experience changed your perception of operations and project management and how it has affected your current job or your future career aspirations. Additionally take a self-awareness approach and evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses as they relate to operations and project management; what are your strong points? Most importantly what are the areas that require improvement to succeed in operations and project management?

You should envision this component as a personal reflection on the capstone and your experience in the operations and project management program as a whole. For instance, relative to the capstone, you could discuss what you did (or intended to do), and then consider what worked well, what challenges you faced, and what you would change or do differently to make your experience better. In reflecting on your time here at SNHU, you might discuss where you started, where you have ended up, where you see yourself going, etc.
Note that this component is not about evaluating the capstone itself but rather your experience within the capstone project. Some of the issues that you could address in this final component of this capstone may include:

• Overall, what was your capstone experience like?
• Reflect on the significance of the capstone in relation to your own experience at SNHU.
• What connections do you see between your capstone, your academic program and a career in operations and project management?
• How will you apply what you've learned to your future academic and/or professional life?
• As a result of completing the capstone, what are your strengths and where do you need improvement?
• What is your perception of operations and project management based on your capstone and overall academic experience?

Attachment:- Project Guidelines.rar