Assessment Guide for Supply Chain Principles

Assessment 1: Online Case Study Test (15% of Overall Marks)

Learning outcome/s: This assessment is designed to assess the students’ knowledge of contemporary SCM concepts applied and evaluate issues found in the case study provided.

Description: Students are required to answer a set of structured questions based on a case study uploaded in Blackboard in Week 4. Answers are to be submitted electronically to the myRMIT’s Blackboard system.

Assessment 2-­‐A: Group Research Report (35% of Overall Marks)

 Learning outcome/s: This assessment is designed to assess the students’ knowledge of contemporary SCM concepts applied in real life cases. Students are also required to demonstrate the ability to analyse issues within  the real life cases.

Description: Students are required to work in groups of no more than FIVE (any other arrangements are subjected to lecturer/tutor’s approval) to prepare a research report (approximate 4500 words) to investigate the supply chain of a real-­‐life business organisation (operating in Australia) and propose recommendations to optimise the supply chain management and operations with particular focus on feasibility and implementation. Further details  of the report requirements can be found in the myRMIT Blackboard’s system. Reports are required to be  submitted electronically to myRMIT’s Blackboard.

   

Assessment 3: Individual Take Home Research Essay (35% of Overall Marks)

 Learning outcome/s: This research essay will examine the students’ knowledge in identifying the issues  and applying the concepts discussed in the lectures.

Description: Students are required to prepare a research essay (approximately 2000 words) based on contemporary supply chain issues to be submitted electronically to myRMIT’s Blackboard system.

Solutions

1)      Executive Summary – Give a 1-­‐page summary of the study covering background, methodology, key findings, conclusions and key recommendations.

2)      Introduction – Give background of the investigation, objectives, assumptions and scope of the study.  Provide  reasons for the selection of the company

3)      Current Situation

(a)   Describe the current business, financial, and marketing strategies in the context of the company’s mission and overall strategy.

(b)   Describe the supply chain policy, strategy, and management method used by the company.

4)      Issues Identified

(a)   Identify the issues with the current system focusing on the logistics and supply chain function.

5)      Analysis of Current Situation

(a)   Adopt a framework to analyse the situation -­‐ SWOT or PESTEL or Porter 5 forces (Select 1 framework  Only)

(b)   If SWOT is used, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the current system and analyse the threats and opportunities brought by competition and technological advancement, etc.

(c)    Include key points only in your report. Details of the SWOT analysis can be included in the Appendices.

(d)   If PESTEL is used, elaborate on the political, economical, societal, technology, environmental and legal issues that have an impact on the business and supply chain management.

(e)   If Porter 5 Forces is used, explain the key elements for 5 various forces.

6)      Gap Analysis

(a)   Conduct GAP analysis

(b)   Compare current system with preferred system.

(c)    Identify differences or gaps between them.

(d)   Include key points only in your report. Details of the GAP analysis can be included in the Appendices.

7)      Recommendations

(a)   Present recommendations (i.e., the various strategies) or action plans based on findings. Link these to theories learnt or researched.

8)      Discussion and Conclusion

(a)   Wrap up the whole study by pointing out limitations of the analysis and directions for further improvement of the system.

(b)   Highlighted the lessons learnt and any disparities in expectations.

9)      References

(a)   Include all the references used, if any, in the writing of the report.

(b)   Include in-­‐text references within your writing,

10)  Appendices

(a)   Include all the relevant information and details results of analyses, if appropriate, to facilitate  decision making by the management.

(b)   Include details of SWOT and GAP analysis here, if they have been used in your case analysis.